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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Today in (Film) History: "If it's December 1941 in Casablanca, what time is it in New York?" |
| 2008-12-03 |
| David Cohen, Brothers Judd Blog The action in Casablanca takes place on December 2, 3 and 4, 1941. . . . Part of the beauty of the script, though, is that it can be understood on many levels. It is the story of three little people. It is also an allegory about America's entry into WWII. Rick is America. Weary, cynical, with an idealistic past but unwilling to get involved. Rick says that he sticks his neck out for noone. Ferrari tells him that isolationism is no longer a viable foreign policy. Ilsa, Laszlo, Strasser and Renault are the various faces of Europe. Old enemies, old allies and new victims, all eager to know what American will do. Will America act selfishly or will it act idealistically? Of course, by 1943, when the film was released, that ending was already known. Casablanca was rushed out to coincide with the American landing in North Africa and the fighting for Casablanca, which is what led to its initial success. It is, of course, no accident that the movie is set during the first week of December, 1941. . . . "Round up the usual suspects!" |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #1 "I'm shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you, to find there's gambling going on here!" "Here's your winnings for tonight, monsieur." |
| Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 2008-12-03 10:40 |