Who is creatively responsible for Casablanca's success?
Casablanca is one of the most famous of films during the Golden Era of Hollywood. Made at Warner Bros Studio, it was one of 50 films being made during 1942 and a collaboration of a team of people who contributed their own ideas to bring the film together. Warner Bros had bought the rights for 'Everybody Comes to Rick's', written by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison, which the studios believed to be topical to the current social situations of the Second World War. Due to the war, more films were becoming patriotic, as a form of propaganda. After changing the name to 'Casablanca', the film was assigned to producer Hal B. Wallis. Instead of being the director's entire choice and envisions, the studio gave the roles to the people who worked for them and then they formed a collaborative film of relatively equal placed people.
Hal B. Wallis chose to hire writers Julius and Phillip Epstein and Howard Koch, who was already well known for writing Orsen Welles' famous audio play 'The Invasion from Mars'. By hiring these well known writers, the audience would be aware of how good there previous things were and make assumptions of how well Casablanca will be written. Also Casey Robinson was hired by Wallis, who wrote the love story of Casablanca and makes it one of the most iconic films. The love story entwines the war story and diverts the audience attention, making them feel empowered for different reasons. Since it was a team decision, when the ending of the film was uncertain, the writers, producers, director and actors came together to figure out how it should be. This was usually a good thing, however at times differences in opinions would occur, for example Humphrey Bogart and Hal B. Wallis having a disagreement about who Ilsa Lund should end up with.
Alongside the writers, the actors were a major part of the production, they brought the written ideas to life and having an input into the situation rather than being told directly what to do. Originally George Raft and Ronald Reagan were considered for the role of Rick Blaine, however Wallis demanded Humphrey Bogart. Bogart was a well known actor, known for his villainous roles in film noir such as The Maltose Falcon. This film noir vibe is seen through Rick in points such as 'I stick out my neck for no one' and the shooting of the Nazi. However Rick has a sensitive side, which may have intrigued audiences who had only really seen him as colder men. In 'Everybody Comes To Rick's', the couple were originally both American, however writer Casey Robinson suggested a European woman which would make it more dynamic and interesting. Therefore Ingrid Bergman, originally from Sweden, was cast who enabled the story to expand.
Once these choices had been made, Wallis sought after Michael Curtiz to direct Casablanca. After having directed over 173 films, Curtiz was able to unify all the cinematic professions. He was able to direct the camera angles with the director of photography, Arthur Edeson, and the camera operators, which then enhanced the costumes, sets, actors, all aspects of the film and creating a visual aesthetic which made it enchanting for the audiences. An example of the directing which enhanced a moment was when the camera pans in onto Rick's face, pausing as if unsure whether to continue and then carrying on and fading into a flashback. Curtiz was able to add a big impact to the film, for he himself was a Hungarian and understood the importance of refugees in America. Therefore it was his decision to cast the extras in the film as real refugees who had fled to America due to the war. This makes the whole film more authentic and more emotional, especially in the moment where the extras sing La Marseillaise, the french national anthem (since Morocco was a French colony), with all the passion of what was actually happening in the war when the film was being made. With the camera shots of Casablanca, the editing by Mark Owens uses the old Hollywood way of invisible editing, where the editing is seamlessly cut to show all the elements of the film. For example, when Rick helps the couple win money for their Visas, the editing cuts between the various characters facial expressions in close-ups which shows the mentality of the character and creates tension the quicker the timing of the shots.
Curtiz also worked alongside the designers for Casablanca to create the beautiful shots. Since this was a Warner Bros picture, the film was entirely set within the Warner Bros studios. Therefore sets had to be entirely built or re-used for that film. The film uses an (in a way) over-exaggerated set to emphasis moments to the audience and act as a reminder of where they are, which adds on to the atmosphere. Moroccan cultural decoration is used throughout the film, especially in the architecture of the buildings, which enables the targeted American audiences to escape their social situation of the War. Another aspect of escapism was through the simplistic Hollywood glamour which is conveyed through the picture and gives a fantastical admiration from the audience about what they could make life be, inspire them through glamour for propaganda. Orry-Kelly , famous Australian costume designer for Warner Bros, designed the costumes for Casablanca. The costumes tell the characters stories without verbal communication, for example Rick's crisp white tuxedo which he wears in his Cafe to show the level of quality he tries to maintain.
To add onto the stunning visuals of the film, the music made a big impact on Casablanca's success. Composer Max Steiner produced the soundtrack for the film, with the involvement of a cinematic orchestra. The main theme of the film is ‘As Time Goes By’ which wasn’t written for Casablanca but by Herman Hupfeld for a play called ‘Everybody’s welcome’. At first, Steiner was against the use of the song, however due to irreplaceable scenes which had been shot due to Ingrid Bergman’s haircut for her next film, they were unable to change it. Steiner then twisted it to become a motif which is used throughout the entirety of Casablanca, changing in mood through various keys to reflect a character’s feelings and inner thoughts. The music really adds a power to the picture which causes the audience to be more sucked into the film and become part of it, in their own way.
All of these people joined together were able to produce Casablanca into the classic that it is known as today. However I believe that luck was also on their sides. For when Casablanca was set to be released to the public, the headlines of the newspapers was that allies had stormed in the actual Casablanca and that a conference with Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt was held there. Since it was being made during 1941/42 and released in 1942, America had only just entered the way and no one knew how it was going to end. This made the film more culturally relevant to the time period and made the audience who wanted to know what was going on in the world see it to boost their hope.
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