CASABLANCA is one of AFI’s most celebrated films – first appearing at No. 2 on the original list of America’s Greatest Movies. It’s also ranked #1 among movie love stories and has six of the most iconic quotes of all time. Humphrey Bogart’s character, Rick Blaine, was ranked No. 4 on AFI’s list of Greatest Screen Heroes – and Bogart himself was named the No. 1 screen legend of all time on AFI’s 100 YEARS… 100 STARS!
Watch Willem Dafoe announce the film:
Movie Trivia on CASABLANCA
–DID YOU KNOW that Dooley Wilson – the film’s iconic “Sam” – couldn’t play the piano? Wilson was a professional drummer and all piano playing in the film was later dubbed.
–DID YOU KNOW producer Hal B. Wallis originally wanted Hedy Lamarr to play Ilsa Lund? MGM refused to loan her out as she was a player under contract with the studio at the time.
–DID YOU KNOW a sequel was initially planned and announced? Titled BRAZZAVILLE, it was to again feature Humphrey Bogart as Rick, and it would have been centered on the location of the Free French garrison mentioned in the last scene of CASABLANCA.
–DID YOU KNOW than one of the film’s most famous lines – “Play it again, Sam!” – is never actually said in the film?
–DID YOU KNOW former President Ronald Reagan was originally announced to play the role of Rick in the film? Reagan was called up to the US Cavalry Reserves after completing his previous film, and the role of CASABLANCA went to Humphrey Bogart?
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The Movie Doesn’t End in the Credits: Family Discussion Questions
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-CASABLANCA has been ubiquitous in culture since its release in 1942. Can you think of any times – outside of the film itself – when you’ve heard one of its iconic quotes?
-Can you think of any other on-screen romances where the protagonists don’t end up together?
– What do you think Rick means when he says to Captain Renault, “Louis, I think this may be the start of a beautiful friendship”?
-Do you think Rick’s attitudes about involvement change because of the events of the film?
-What do you think it means when Rick says they will “always have Paris”?
-What makes Bogart and Bergman such fascinating stars – and what makes them such a fascinating couple?
-How would you rate CASABLANCA?
Watch these exclusive AFI Archive clips of Dustin Hoffman and Hugh Jackman talking about CASABLANCA:
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