Tales From The Making Of 'Casablanca', As Told By Ingrid Bergman | The Dick Cavett Show
TLDRThe transcript reveals an engaging conversation about the iconic film 'Casablanca', highlighting the uncertainties during its production. The discussion touches on the famous director Michael Curtiz's approach to the ambiguous ending, the tension on set due to the evolving script, and Humphrey Bogart's irritable demeanor. It also delves into the legendary status of 'Casablanca' and the private nature of some actors, like Claude Rains, who preferred to keep their personal lives separate from their professional personas.
Takeaways
- 🎬 The speaker expresses a sense of fatigue regarding the constant discussion of the film 'Casablanca'.
- 🤔 There was a story about the uncertainty of the film's ending, as the director, Michael Curtiz, didn't want to give too much away to either of the male leads.
- 🎥 The film was shot with two potential endings due to the undecided romantic outcome, but the true ending remained a mystery even to the actors.
- 🌟 Despite the chaotic production, 'Casablanca' has become a classic and is now seen as a perfectly crafted film, akin to a Hitchcock movie.
- 🚀 The rumor about the lead actors discussing how the film might ruin their careers is addressed, but it seems to be more of a myth than a fact.
- 😠 Humphrey Bogart was reportedly in a bad mood during the production, often frustrated and angry, mainly communicating with the producer and director.
- 🎭 The quality of the actors in 'Casablanca', even in minor roles, contributed to the film's success, as every part was played by a top actor.
- 🍽️ The speaker's personal interactions with Bogart were limited, and he was a very private individual, not engaging much outside of work-related discussions.
- 💔 Claude Rains is remembered and loved by film fans, but the speaker didn't have a close personal relationship with him.
- 🌈 The passing of Claude Rains was seen as the end of an era of fine screen acting by some, including Bette Davis.
- 🌟 The speaker agrees with the sentiment that Rains was a great actor but hopes that the door for young talents remains open.
Q & A
What is the speaker's reaction to the mention of the film 'Casablanca'?
-The speaker seems to be tired of the constant discussions about 'Casablanca', as it is a frequently talked about topic.
Who was the director of 'Casablanca'?
-The director of 'Casablanca' was Michael Curtiz.
How was the ending of 'Casablanca' decided?
-The ending was not predetermined, and the actors were instructed to play their parts without knowing which man the character would end up with. They were even prepared to shoot two different endings.
What was Humphrey Bogart's attitude during the filming of 'Casablanca'?
-Humphrey Bogart was reportedly in a bad mood throughout the filming due to the uncertainty of the script and his character's fate, often expressing his frustration to the producer and director.
Did the speaker and Bogey ever discuss the film's future?
-The speaker recalls that they might have discussed the film, but Bogart mostly kept his concerns to himself and only spoke about them with the producer and director.
What rumor is mentioned regarding the speaker and Bogey in relation to 'Casablanca'?
-The rumor mentioned is that the speaker and Bogey once sat in the commissary cafe discussing how to get out of the 'turkey' of a film they believed would ruin their careers.
How did the speaker describe the atmosphere on the set of 'Casablanca'?
-The speaker described the atmosphere as chaotic, with the script being written day by day and a general sense of confusion about the direction of the film.
What was the impact of having top actors in every small part on the film?
-The presence of top actors in every small part helped to elevate the film and contributed to its success, despite the challenges and uncertainties faced during production.
What did the speaker think about Claude Rains as an actor?
-The speaker regarded Claude Rains as a great actor and appreciated his work, but did not have a close personal relationship with him.
How did the speaker feel about the legacy of Claude Rains and the era of fine screen acting?
-The speaker agreed with Bette Davis' sentiment that Rains' passing seemed to close the door on an era of fine screen acting, but hoped that this did not mean the end for young, aspiring actors.
What anecdote is shared about the popularity of 'Casablanca' at Harvard?
-At Harvard, when the sound went off during a screening, students who knew the dialogue by heart stood up and chanted the lines, showing their deep connection and love for the film.
Outlines
🎬 Behind the Scenes of Casablanca
The paragraph discusses the making of the classic film Casablanca, highlighting the uncertainty and confusion during its production. The speaker recalls a story about the director, Michael Curtiz, instructing the actors to play their scenes ambiguously since the filmmakers hadn't decided which character the protagonist would end up with. It's mentioned that they were planning to shoot two different endings but ultimately, the film became a classic despite the initial challenges and lack of a clear direction. The speaker also talks about the temperament of Humphrey Bogart during filming, his focus on discussing the script's issues with the producer and director, and his reluctance to socialize with his co-stars. The anecdote about the film's screening at Harvard, where students knew the dialogue so well they could recite it when the sound failed, is shared as a testament to the film's enduring popularity.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Casablanca
💡Michael Curtiz
💡Humphrey Bogart
💡Scriptwriting
💡Turkish
💡Claude Rains
💡Hollywood
💡Leslie Howard
💡Intermezzo
💡Betty Davis
💡Film Legend
Highlights
The four syllables, Casablanca, are iconic and lead to discussions about the film's unique production, including not knowing the ending.
The director Michael Curtiz advised to 'play in the middle' due to uncertainty over the film's ending.
Plans were in place to shoot two different endings for Casablanca.
The script for Casablanca was written day by day, contributing to a sense of confusion on set.
Humphrey Bogart was in a bad mood during filming because of the script's uncertainty.
Despite its chaotic production, Casablanca became a classic, seeming as well-crafted as a Hitchcock film.
Rumors of Bogart and the lead actress discussing the potential ruin of their careers by Casablanca.
Bogart's limited communication was primarily with the producer and director, not co-stars.
Bogart's reputation for being difficult to approach and his preference for isolation.
The exceptional quality of the acting helped overcome the disorganized production.
The enduring popularity of Casablanca is highlighted by students reciting the dialogue from memory during a technical failure.
Claude Rains' legacy and whether he was aware of his impact on film fans.
The privacy and professionalism of actors like Claude Rains and Leslie Howard, who maintained distance from colleagues.
Betty Davis' commentary on Claude Rains' death symbolizing the end of an era in screen acting.
The hope that the tradition of fine screen acting continues despite the end of an era.