Home Dear Educator Letter Curriculum Connections Enroll Julius Caesar The Philadelphia Story Cat on a Hot Tin Roof CASABLANCA Behind the Scenes Before/During Viewing Activities After Viewing Activities Elements of Drama Aspects of Film The Man Who Came to Dinner Brigadoon Ah, Wilderness! Gaslight Evaluation

Suggested BEFORE/DURING Viewing Activities In North Africa during World War II, European refugees flocked to French Casablanca in hopes of gaining passage to America. Locate Casablanca on a map and provide students with background information on the war to familiarize them with the setting. A major theme in CASABLANCA is self-sacrifice. Have students write a journal entry about a time they gave of themselves for the good of another. Ask students to share their responses before viewing the film, and have them record instances of self-sacrifice by the characters in the film during viewing. Follow up with a class discussion on this theme. CASABLANCA features lines of dialogue that have become as classic as the film itself. To help students understand the effect dialogue can have on a story, separate them into small groups. Give each team a bag filled with simple props and costumes. In each bag, include different lines from the film. For example: "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," or "Here's looking at you, kid," or even the song, "As Time Goes By." Have each group use its quote to generate a short sketch. While viewing the film, students should pay close attention to the effect these lines have on the overall quality of the film. They can compare the way the line was used in both their skit and the movie. CASABLANCA is an excellent study of black and white imagery. Discuss the traditional interpretations of good vs. evil, joy vs. sadness, idealism vs. reality and love vs. hate. Separate the class in two groups and assign half "black" and half "white." While they're viewing the film, students should pay close attention to lighting, costume and scenery--noting imagery pertaining to their color. After viewing, have students share their discoveries and interpretations by creating a poster that artistically displays the contrast of black and white in the film. Students may choose to use quotations to help their pictorial images. CASABLANCA's poignant ending has left few without tear stained cheeks. Stop the film before it reaches the climax and have students write and act out their own ending to the film. Resume the movie, and have students compare their version with the director's. Why do students think the filmmakers made the choices they did?