Casablanca 70th Anniversary
November 1, 2012 – December 14, 2012
curated by
Francis Poole and Valerie Jones
This exhibit is in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Casablanca, one of America’s greatest and most beloved films. Filmed at the beginning of World War II, Casablanca premiered in New York City on November 26, 1942, just weeks after Operation Torch, the U.S. led Allied invasion of North Africa and the capture of Casablanca. Casablanca starred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains and was set in the exotic port city in French Morocco which at that time was held by Vichy French forces. Most of the action takes place in Rick’s Café Américain, a nightclub where refugees from Nazi–occupied Europe gathered in hopes of finding passage to America. For seventy years Casablanca has captivated movie–goers with its timeless themes of love, courage, and sacrifice as experienced through the lives of its characters. The film received Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director (Michael Curtiz), and Best Screenplay. Casablanca is one of the most quoted films in cinema history with such lines as, “Here’s looking at you kid,” and “Round up the usual suspects.” According to Roger Ebert, Casablanca is “probably on more lists of the greatest films of all time than any other single title, including Citizen Kane” because of its wider appeal. In 1989, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
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Map of Morocco
This map shows the location of Casablanca.
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Publicity shot.
(left to right) Claude Rains, Paul Henreid, Ingrid Bergman, and Humphrey Bogart.
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Still from Casablanca.
Rick: Of all the gin joints in all the towns all over the world, she walks into mine.
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Casablanca. Screenplay, 1942.
Page from the famous scene, "Play it Sam!"
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Casablanca Senitype, 1943.
This scene is reproduced from a single 35–millimeter frame of restored film footage from the original motion picture film.
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Casablanca Senitype, 1943.
The reverse provides further detail about the film frame.
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Letter written to Mr. Martin Wiser, July 17, 1940.
This letter from the Director of Advertising and Publicity discusses the desire to "Sell Bogart romantically" and undo his gangster image.
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Prop, letter of transit.
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Still from film.
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Still from film, Dooley Wilson and Humphrey Bogart.
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Still from film.
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Still from film.
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Still from film.
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Still from film.
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Passport.
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Coasters, with case.
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DVD box set case.
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Publicity shot, Claude Rains.
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Publicity shot, Ingrid Bergman.
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Publicity shot, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
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Set design.
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Interoffice Communiction to All Departments, December 31, 1942.
Annoucement of the change in title to "Casablanca."
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Interoffice Communication sent to Warner, April 3, 1942.
Wallis writes against casting George Raft in the part of Rick, saying "Bogart is ideal for it."
