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.

~≈§≈~

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari: or Das Cabinet des Dr Caligari.

16th February, 2017.

Have you ever heard of an actor called Conrad Veidt?

German chap, so you know.

Who’d done well for himself in German cinema and theatre: until he fled Germany before World War 2, as his wife was Jewish.

I had: but, in all honesty, couldn’t claim to have seen a film he’s in.

Oh, I know he crops up in Casablanca.

I’ve not actually seen it, though: yes, I know that’s possibly a hanging offence.

But there you go.

Sue me … !

~≈Ü≈~

At any rate?

At any rate, and just to re-iterate?

I’ve never actually seen a film with Conrad Veidt in it.

Not for lack of interest, either: more a lack of time, money … 

And possibly motivation, as well.

Tonight, though?

Tonight, though, I had a night off.

A desire to see a film.

And a copy of a film — with Conrad Veidt in a key role — that I’d been interested in for some time.

The film … ?

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari: or Das Cabinet des Dr Caligari, in the original German.

I wanted to catch it, not because Veidt’s appeared in the key role of Cesare.

But because the film has something of a reputation … 

~≈Ü≈~