casablanca

the year: 1942

the genre: drama


the cast: Humphrey Bogart (Rick Blaine); Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa Lund); Paul Henreid (Victor Lazlo); Claude Rains (Captain Renault); Sydney Greenstreet (Signor Ferrari); Peter Lorre (Ugarte); S Z Sakall (Carl); Conrad Veidt (Major Srasser)


the plot: In World War II Casablanca, Rick Blaine, exiled American and former freedom fighter, runs the most popular nightspot in town. The cynical Blaine comes into the possession of two valuable letters of transit. When Nazi Major Strasser arrives in Casablanca, local police Captain Renault does what he can to please him, including detaining Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo. Much to Rick's surprise, Lazslo arrives with Ilsa, Rick's one time love. Ilsa knows Rick can help them get out of the country - but will he?


don't miss: Dooley Wilson as Sam (ironically, he was the only cast member to have actually visited the real city of Casablanca) and the famous song "As Time Goes By".




listen for: "What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?" "My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters." "The waters? What waters? We're in the desert." "I was misinformed."



did you know: In the 1980s, this film's script was sent to a number of major studios and production companies under its original title, "Everybody Comes to Rick's". Some recognized the script but most did not. Many complained that the script was "not good enough" to make a decent movie. Others gave such complaints as "too dated", "too much dialog" and "not enough sex".



don't listen for" "Play it again, Sam." That line was never spoken in the movie. Ilsa says "Play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By"' and Rick says: "You played it for her, you can play it for me. Play it!".


also listen for: "I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!" "Your winnings, sir." "Oh, thank you very much."






This one's a classic, for sure. But I have to admit, one of the reasons I like it so much is that without it we wouldn't have this:

christmas in connecticut

the year: 1945

the genre: comedy


the cast: Barbara Stanwyck (Elizabeth Lane); Dennis Morgan (Jefferson Jones); Sydney Greenstreet (Alexander Yardley); S.Z. Sakall (Felix Bassenak)


the plot: In her Smart Housekeeping column, Elizabeth Lane provides amazing recipes and homemaking hints. However, Elizabeth's got a little secret: SHE needs a recipe to boil water! Elizabeth has no cooking skills, no Connecticut farm, no adoring hubby and no baby-makes-three as suggested in her column. Something her boss, the magazine publisher, doesn't know when he decides to invite himself and a recently returned war hero to her home for a traditional family Christmas. Watch as Elizabeth tries to be a good wife and doting mother, with absolutely NO experience.


count: how many rocking chairs Elizabeth owns.



don't miss: Felix. (I liked S. Z. Sakall before, but this was the role that sealed the deal.)



watch for: how to flip-flop the flop-flips.



listen for: "Catastroph!"




did you know: the Connecticut home is the same set used in Bringing Up Baby.



also listen for: "Everytime I'd opened my mouth he talked. I felt like Charlie McCarthy."

ball of fire

the year: 1941

the genre: comedy


the cast: Barbara Stanwyck (Sugarpuss O’Shea); Gary Cooper (Professor Bertram Potts); S. Z. Sakall (Professor Magenbruch); Dana Andrews (Joe Lilac)




the plot: Sexy, wisecracking nightclub singer Sugarpuss O'Shea is a hot tomato who needs to be kept on ice: mobster boyfriend Joe Lilac is suspected of murder and her testimony could put him away. Naive Professor Bertram Potts is working with his seven colleagues on the 9th year of a 12-year encyclopedia writing project. When Professor Potts discovers that his section on slang is outdated, he sets out to research the topic. He happens upon Miss O'Shea and in true romantic comedy fashion the two worlds collide. When Miss O'Shea hides out with Potts and his fellow professors, the professors learn how to conga and Potts learns the meaning of "yum-yum"! Just when things are humming along nicely, Joe resurfaces with other plans for Miss O’Shea.


count: the number of times Miss Bragg splits an infinitive.


don’t miss: how the professors get Pastrami to sing like a canary.


check out: the theater marquee in the background when Pottsy is taking notes of the newsboy’s slang. It advertises Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – referring to the inspiration for the Ball of Fire script.




listen for: “I love him because he's the kind of guy who gets drunk on a glass of buttermilk, and I love the way he blushes right up over his ears. I love him because he doesn't know how to kiss, the jerk!”




also listen for: “Well, I certainly am obliged to ya. I could use a bundle a scratch right now on account of I met me a mouse last week. What a pair o’gams! A little in, a little out, and a little more out. Well, with this dish on my hands and them given out twenty five smackaroos on that quizzola…we’ll be stubbin’, me and the smooch – I mean the dish – I mean the mouse. You know, hit the jiggles for a little Rhumboogie? Brother, we’re gonna have some hoy-toy-toy!”