Casablanca Film Analysis

Study Notes

Film Overview

Casablanca produced 52 films a year, averaging one per week.
The genre of Casablanca blends crime and romance, creating a hybrid format.

Production Context

Warner Bros popularized crime/gangster films, which became a repetitive genre.
The film aimed to maximize profits by making generic movies appealing to a broader audience.
Reuse of sets, crew, and actors was common practice to streamline production.

Music and Composition

Max Steiner served as the composer for Casablanca.
"As Time Goes By" is the featured song, serving as a musical motif; it is non-diegetic at times and predates the film.

Cinematic Techniques

Arthur Edeson was the cinematographer, showcasing specialized talents in filmmaking.
The Hollywood "star system" promoted young actors, glamorizing their personas and often inventing identities.

Major Studios

The Big 5 studios: RKO Radio Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
The Little 3 studios: Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, United Artists.

Film Structure

The conveyor belt system in Hollywood aimed to produce conventional films rapidly.
Classical storytelling in Casablanca is designed to be accessible to a mass audience.
The Hayes Code restricted depictions of nudity, long kisses, and negative portrayals of clergymen or criminals to ensure broad appeal.

Setting and Characterization

Rick's Café Americain serves as a crucial location in the narrative.
Most scenes were filmed on set, enhancing control over production quality.
The opening scene establishes expository equilibrium, introducing heroes and villains through visual elements like a globe and smokey effects.

Themes and Appeal

Major Strausser acts as the antagonist, ultimately shot at the film's conclusion.
Contemporary audience appeal stems from relatable global crises intersecting personal romance, providing a mix of familiarity and escapism.
Men in the film are depicted as emotionally restrained, supported by brooding lighting, while Ilsa is illuminated and expressive.

Key Dialogue and Moments

"The World will always welcome lovers," and other poignant quotes enhance the emotional gravitas of the film.
The Paris montage presents a manufactured backdrop, showcasing studio techniques but evoking genuine emotion through soft focus and sound effects.

Conclusion and Legacy

The ending offers closure, with Ilsa leaving with Victor, and Rick engaging in the war effort, symbolizing a shift in US foreign policy during WWII.
Casablanca's success is tied to its historical context and representation of American sentiments during wartime.
The film results from a collaboration among notable Warner Bros staff, including director Michael Curtiz and cinematographer Arthur Edeson.

Description

Explore the cinematic masterpiece of Casablanca, a film that uniquely blends crime and romance. Delve into the production context, music composition, and cinematographic techniques that shaped this iconic movie. Discover how major studios influenced its creation and audience reception.