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| Cover of Humphrey Bogart |
Watching old movies is a nostalgic adventure. Tonight I watched Casablanca. Humphrey Bogart never gets old, but I remember other people when I watch the movie besides the stars of a bygone era. I remember my mother and father taking me to the movies and even though I didn't understand the political intrigue depicted, I recognized their admiration of the of the stars and the story.
The movie came out in 1942 which made it very timely for what was going on. In 1942 the United States had entered the Second World War but Europe had been embroiled in it since 1939. The story is a tragic love affair that is torn apart by the war. Casa Blanca was ar risk of becoming German territory. Rick's bar was a refuge for American and European ex patriots.
When I was first exposed to the movie, I did not appreciate it's very political and patriotic theme. Now I do, but I'm still struck by the many old stars in it. Ingrid Bergman, Louie Armstrong, Sidney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, S.Z. Sakall, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains make me realize the vast talent present in the old movies. They don't have the graphics and technical advances or more modern movies, but they had some extraordinary actors who used emotion, expression, and delivery. Even in black and white I was impressed with their delivery and skill.
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| This screenshot shows Sydney Greenstreet and Humphrey Bogart in a discussion about whether Sam (Dooley Wilson) will come to work for Greenstreet. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
This movie also had some memorable lines: "Here's looking at you, kid;" "Play it again, Sam;" "Of all the gin joints in all the cities in all the world, why did she have to walk into mine?" "Round up the usual suspects."
Old movies bring back lots of memories of lots of people, and not all of them are actors.
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