Saturday night was the first classic movie night at Central Christian Church. Throughout the fall season, members and guests will gather on the church lawn, or in fellowship hall if weather dictates to enjoy and study classic films.
Having celebrated it 70th anniversary in 2013, the same year Central celebrated its 150th, “Casablanca” was the first of a series of movie classics to be shown at the church.
When “Casablanca” was released in 1942, it was expected to be a box office hit. After all, it had established stars, first rate writers, Warner Bros.—all the right stuff to produce a good movie. However, no one expected it to be anything out of the ordinary. But as time went by, it became iconic.
Considered by many film critics and buffs to be the greatest film ever, it is most assuredly one of the most popular. People write books on it, study it and teach classes on it. To quote the late film critic Roger Ebert, “It plays like a favorite musical album; the more I know it, the more I like it.”
What is so likeable about “Casablanca”? Many say Humphrey Bogart. He is legendary in his reputation as one of the greatest actors of all time. Others say the character Rick Blaine— a true man’s man. He was wealthy, hard-drinking, highly intelligent, well respected and able to attract any woman.
Perhaps the film’s timeless appeal comes from Bogie’co-star, the beautiful and talented Ingrid Bergman (she acted in five different languages) also known as one of the greatest actresses of the Golden Era. Maybe it was her role as the emotionally torn refugee, Ilsa Lund, Rick’s romantic interest.
In addition to the romantic attraction between Rick and Ilsa, the story’s plot contains the great cause of defeating the Nazis.
Oh, and the quotes! Some 70 years later, although no one actually said “Play it again, Sam” in the movie, the quote is used daily in conversation to mean “do that again” and is attributed to “Casablanca.” Others like “We’ll always have Paris” and “Here’s looking at you, kid” are a part of our frequent allusions.
Having taught a course on the film at the University of Mississippi, Central member, Dr. Michael Raines, revealed more facts and history about the iconic movie.
Raines shared that in the early years of WWII, Morocco became German occupied, but the setting of “Casablanca” suggests a time before the full Nazi forces had taken over the city. Many refugees fleeing Europe to Casablanca were desperate to find papers or “exit visas” to leave Morocco for safety. The film, while a wonderful romance and adventure, can also be looked at as a beautiful piece of pro-war propaganda—encouraging the American war effort to audiences who had, until the attack on Pearl Harbor, tried to remain neutral in a world being taken over by thugs. The character of Rick, played by Humphrey Bogart, portrayed the American who chose to put aside personal profit to fight for a higher cause.
Central music director, David Aston, played “As Time Goes By” while members and guests gathered at the hot dog and popcorn bar before settling in to watch the movie.
Watch for another classic movie next month. It’s fun, it’s free and all are welcome. “Here’s looking at you, kid.”