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

Behind the Scenes At one point in the film, Ilsa says, "Can I tell you a story?" Then adds, "I don't know the finish yet." Rick answers, "Well, go on, tell it. Maybe one will come to you as you go along." Ironically, this line is true in more ways than one. According to Ingrid Bergman, the filming of CASABLANCA was only a step behind the screenplay writers. Even director Michael Curtiz is said to not have known whether Ilsa would leave with Rick or Laszlo. Many credit Bergman's fine performance in the final scene to the fact that she really was a bit confused and surprised. "Rick's Place" was used as a military code for the city of Casablanca during World War II. Two months after CASABLANCA premiered, President Roosevelt and England's Prime Minister Winston Churchill met for a war conference in Casablanca. Some argue that CASABLANCA is a political allegory with Rick acting as President Roosevelt, and Laszlo as Prime Minister Winston Churchill. CASABLANCA won Academy Awards® for: Best Picture Best Director Best Screenplay