Casablanca: Wow!

27th November, 2017.

Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘bucket list’?

It’s a list of things you’re supposed to try and do, before you die: before you kick the bucket, in other words.

I … 

You know, if you have to sit me down, and say, “Paul, what’s on your bucket list,” I swear, I couldn’t tell you.

Beyond, say, getting a recent model iMac, I don’t think there’s much I’d have on there.

But the concept is one I know.

And, frankly?   A bucket list is something I keep thinking I should pencil up.

I’ve also noticed that bucket lists are the sort of things people want to make a contribution to.

Really.

You have to …

Do this.

Watch that.

Eat the other thing.

If you had the time and money — in between earning the money, raising the kids, and whatever else you need to do — to do so.

There’s only so much time in the day, in other words.

~≈§≈~

However, one thing I do know?

Is that those oh-so-helpful bucket list suggestions include albums.

I know one friend has suggested I give Die Antwoord a listen.

Others suggest different bands.

I’ve been hairing around iTunes and Spotify, listening to various bits and bobs: and built up a serious amount of electronica as a result.

I’m also very aware that those suggestions?

Will include a film or two.

God knows how many people have suggested Citizen Kane, for example, or The Third Man.

There’s one film that has cropped up, plenty of times.

A Humphrey Bogart/Ingrid Bergman film made in 1942.

One I wrote a teaser about, only a few short days ago.

You’re right … 

Casablanca … 

And, yes: I’m thankful I looked it up.

~≈§≈~

Set in what was then the modern day, Casablanca’s opening narration gives us a brief summary: of how, during WW2, people escaping war-torn Europe could get out by heading for Marseilles, then Oran, then the port of Casablanca: in what’s now Morocco, but then part of Vichy France.

The city is home to those looking to get out of Europe.

And to others.

To petty crooks like Ugarte (Peter Lorre), making a living selling exit visas.

To a Vichy police force headed by Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains): trying to keep the usual suspects — like Ugarte — under control.

To American expats like Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), desperate to simply make a living running a bar: without getting involved with politics, crooks or the police.

But, when Ugarte leaves letters of transit with him, letters that guarantee free movement across Nazi-occupied Europe, Rick agrees to keep hold of them for an hour, knowing Renault will go down heavily on anyone found with them.

It gets worse.

Ugarte gets arrested by Renault’s police: in a raid designed to impress the newly arrived Major Straßer (Conrad Veidt) of Nazi Germany.

Friend and rival, Signor Ferrari (Sydney Greenstreet) is trying a hostile takeover of Rick’s Cafe.

And if that wasn’t bad enough … ?

Czechoslovakian Resistance leader, Victor Laszo (Paul Henreid) turns up: looking to get hold of two letters of transit.

One for him, and one for his wife, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman).

Ilsa … ?

Is intelligent, beautiful, devoted to her husband … 

And, when she was living in Paris, only a few years earlier … ?

Rick Blaine’s lover.

Of all the gin joints, in all the world … 

~≈§≈~

Now what did I make of Casablanca?

For starters, you can tell the film was made in the midst of World War 2.

At a time when attitudes were very different.

As an example?

When Ingrid Bergman’s character, Ilsa, walks into Rick’s Cafe, her and her husband are guided to a table.

Ilsa has recognised the Dooley Wilson character, Sam: Rick’s trusty — and African American — pianist and band leader.

But, to make certain she’s right?

Casually turns to the waiter, and says “Who’s the boy playing the piano?”

Boy … of a man in his fifties at the time of filming.

Just in case you didn’t know?

‘Boy’ was the word many white Americans used to call — or describe — a lot of black male Americans: of whatever age.

Its use in such a way, today, is frowned upon.

Quite understandably: it’s still got seriously racist overtones..

Most black people would object to the word being used in such a way: most white Americans, hopefully, wouldn’t use it.

Even though, having worked in pubs with mostly white British clienteles?   I’ve very aware there’s a stream of thought amongst some of that clientele that thinks Enoch was too soft on immigrants and black people.

Not something I agree with, personally.

The line, itself … ?

The line itself, is something I found mildly shocking: and frankly, it’s one I hope wouldn’t be used, now.

It is something that slapped me in the face and told me this was made in a different time!

~≈§≈~

That aside … ?

That aside, I loved Casablanca.

There’s that feeling that the city is the refuge for desperate people trying to get out of a bad situation: only to be preyed on by spies, thieves, criminals and worse.

A feeling the only choices available?   Are those made by the desperate.

A feeling that any good that can be done?

Is the good done by people in bad times: hoping there’s someone trustworthy out there and suspecting there isn’t.

Right now, I’ve been up since half five: after getting up for a dentist appointment.

It’s now 12:30am, and I really want to go bed: to get up in time for tomorrow’s Teaser.

But I’ll close by saying this.

I don’t have a bucket list.

Casablanca isn’t on that non-existent list.

But? 

I’m glad I watched it.

I can tell you to put it on yours …

Casablanca
★★★★