February 23, 1999

Announcements:

Lecture Notes:

I.  Casablanca

• It is a war film, even though it appears to be a love story

II.  Propaganda Films

• These films help to shape our understanding of "real" wars
• Hollywood played a huge role in the creation of these war films
• The Vietnam War is a good example of the use of propaganda because of the large amount of television coverage it received

III.  World War II Propaganda Films

• During WWII, the government screened the movies before the public got to watch them.
• Hollywood had to follow certain rules of war, which were established by the Geneva Convention.  For example:  Hollywood was not allowed to have any Japanese American actors in their movies especially in war films

IV.  Suspension of Morality

• America's moral status was not as clear in the Vietnam war as much as it was in WWII
• MURDER AND THIEVERY IN CASABLANCA:  murder and theft were looked at as moral actions
• There are different levels of thievery in Casablanca
• Global war
• Being trapped in Casablanca, people were stealing letters of transit to get out
• International, national, local, and individual

V.  Suspension of Narrative Laws

• The Production Code was very strict.  For example:  it wouldn't let the two main characters in Casablanca leave in a plane together at the end.
• The film was shot minute by minute;  they would write one scene, shoot it, and then write the next scene, etc.

VI.  The Combat Film:  Sergeant York

• Sgt. York is a film that shows how an individual becomes a war hero because his immoral actions are looked at as moral
• Same ideas are in Casablanca

MOVIE:  CASABLANCA

    With the onset of World War I, people wanted to go to America, but not everyone could get there directly.  They had to take roundabout routes through Europe.  From Casablanca, in French Morocco, people might be able to get to Lisbon, from which they could go to America.

    News flash:  Two German couriers were murdered and their letters of transit were stolen off of them.  The killers are thought to be headed to Casablanca.  Renegades are being searched for stolen documents.

    Major Strassa of the German army lands in Casablanca to check on the murder situation.

    At Rick's Cafe Americain, someone gives Rick the stolen letters of transit, which are signed by the French general, to hold for him.  He wants to sell them to get out of Casablanca.  Rick hides the letters in the piano of his restaurant.

    Victor Laslo, an escapee from a concentration camp, is expected to go to Rick for an exit visa.  Strassa arrives at Rick's around the same time as Laslo.  Strassa tells Laslo that he is subject to German reich and orders him to come to his office.
 
    Sam goes over to talk to the woman that came in with Laslo, Ilsa.  They had met each other previously.  He sings "As Time Goes By" to her.  Rick comes over to the table and does a double take when he sees Ilsa.  He also had met her in the past.  When Laslo comes back, Rick congratulates him on his work.  Many people are inspired by Laslo.

    Later that night, Rick has a flashback of him and Ilsa:
        They are in Paris in a hotel, restaurant, dancing, etc.  She tells him there was another man in her life who is dead.
        They kiss.  The Germans are about to take over Paris, so they plan to meet at the train station to leave Paris for
        Marseilles.  At the station, Sam gives Rick a note from Ilsa saying that she won't meet him.

    Ilsa goes back to the bar.  Rick asks her why she had come to Casablanca.  She says she didn't know he was there.  She leaves after he is being rude to her.

    In Captain Renault's office, he suggests that the letters are in the cafe and it should be searched.  Laslo shows up and they tell him that he may leave Casablanca on one condition.  He must give them the names of the Paris underground.  He refuses.  The Germans search Rick's Cafe but do not find the letters.

    Rick find Ilsa in the market.  She says she didn't know him well in Paris.  She also tells him that Laslo has always been her husband, even when they were in Paris.

    At the cafe, all of the customers burst into some sort of inspirational song when they see Laslo.  Because of this, Strasso orders the cafe to be closed.  He also tells Ilsa it is not safe for Laslo to stay in Casablanca.

    Back in their hotel, Ilsa pleads with Laslo not to go to the underground meeting.  Laslo knows that Rick has the letters and has no plans on selling them.  He then asks her if she was alone in Paris.  She lies and says yes.

    When Rick goes back to his house, Ilsa is waiting for him.  She begs him for the letters and then points a gun at him demanding them.  She backs down and tells him how much she loves him and that she can't run away from him again.  Later, Laslo tells Rick that he knows about him and Ilsa.  He wants Rick to at least give Ilsa the letter, so she can leave Casablanca.

    Rick makes a plan to have Laslo arrested once he gives him the letters.  That way, he could escape with Ilsa.  Well, he gives him the letters, and Cpt. Louis Renault comes in to arrest him.  Rick points a gun at Louis and orders him to call the airport and tell them they are coming.  He pretends to call the airport, instead he calls Strasso.

    At the airport, Rick tells Ilsa to go with Laslo, that she belongs with him.  Ilsa and Laslo get on the plane.  Strasso shows up and tries to call to stop the plane.  Rick shoots him.  Renault pretends he doesn't see him do it.  As they walk away, Rick says, "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."