“Play it Again, Sam”: “Casablanca” has an encore Thursday

Due to the success of last month’s one-night-only screening of Casablanca, Turner Classic Movies and Warner Brothers have added another special showing this Thursday, April 26. 2012, at theaters around Chicago.

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Cassablanca

TCM and Warner Brothers are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 1943 Best Picture Academy Award winner. Released in 1942, Casablanca stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. Produced during the height of World War II, the film has endured, making it one of the most beloved American films ever made. The themes of love, loyalty, and self-determination still resonate.

Although Humphey Bogart never uttered the line “Play it again, Sam,” (He actually said, “Play it, Sam”) the film is jam-packed with memorable lines—“This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”—that have become part of the American lexicon.

The film has been completely restored. If you’ve seen the movie before, you’ll be amazed at what this new restoration reveals. Viewers will experience the classic in a whole new way.

For information on locations and showings near you, click here.

“Casablanca” celebrates 70th Anniversary with special screenings tonight in Chicago

Casablanca had its world premier in New York City on November 26. 1942. The film was a critical and popular success, eventually winning three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. That was 70 years ago. Tonight in Chicago and in cities around the U.S., the classic will have special screenings featuring a digitally remastered and restored print. We’ll be going to ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Collection tonight at 7 p.m. and report back on the experience. Casablanca is also being screened at several other theatres in Chicagoland, including AMC East 21, Regal Webster Place 11, and Regal City North Stadium 14 & RPX. For ticketing and other information, click here.

Casablanca stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henried. So many lines from the film have become part of the American lexicon, including “Here’s looking at you kid” and “I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!”. That last quote is used by just about every politician on both sides of the aisle, when referring to something obviously bad or corrupt.

For an interesting history on the film, click here.

Long-time Host Bids Adieu to "Meet Me at the Movies"

Almost two years ago, Jackie Walker, Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance Vice President, asked me if I would volunteer and host a monthly movie event, in the South Loop that became known as “Meet Me at the Movies.” The concept: I would pick films to screen, introduce them, giving background and “color commentary” on each movie presented. Afterward we would go to a local restaurant to share a meal.

The first movie screened 17 months ago

My focus was on classic Hollywood films. The reasoning? Films made before the end of the production code—the mid-1960s—were for the most part, appropriate for all audiences and tended to fit within a two-hour time frame. In addition, it gave me great pleasure introducing these classic films to people who were unfamiliar with them.

Hollywood’s golden age was a period of great creativity and artistry. So much of our popular culture comes from the movies. “Here’s looking at you, kid,” uttered Humphrey Bogart to Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. “How does a girl like you get to be a girl like you?” Cary Grant questioned Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest, the very first MMATM event. But my all-time favorite line is, “For a charming, intelligent girl, you’ve certainly surrounded yourself with a remarkable collection of dopes,” spoken by Dana Andrews to Gene Tierney toward the end of Laura.

"Casablanca" really packed the house.

It was tough deciding on which classic films to screen, but I enjoyed the challenged. We screened some of the best movies Hollywood produced and showcased some of the silver screen’s most popular stars at the height of their careers, including Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Dana Andrews, Jeanne Crain, Joseph Cotton, Teresa Wright, James Stewart, and Sophia Loren to name a few. And who could forget Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon in Some Like it Hot?

Marilyn Monroe and her "bosom" companions in "Some Like it Hot"

One of the best things about MMATM was meeting and getting to know my neighbors in the South Loop. Over the months, we developed into a community of classic movie fans, who just happened to live in the same Chicago town. What was even more gratifying were the regular attendees who came from the north and south sides of the city. I was honored that they made the trip and worked hard not to disappoint them for making the journey.

James Steward and Grace Kelly solved a murder in the Hitchcock classic, "Rear Window."

Picking movies and preparing monthly presentations may not seem like much, but it was a big time investment. For this and other reasons I decided not to move forward with MMATM. I submitted my resignation to Tina Feldstein, PDNA president, and Walker before the screening of the season’s last film, The Bishop’s Wife. According to their Web site, they’re planning to continue with MMATM starting in January. Not sure what the “new” MMATM will look like, but you might want to give it a try.

Howard Keel and Betty Hutton in "Annie Get Your Gun," the first musical screened by MMATM

Thank you to all the people who came out month after month, the ones I knew by name, and the new folk that seemed to come almost every month. It was a wonderful 17 months. I will always remember my MMATM experience with great fondness. For a look back from a regular MMATM attendee, check out Bonnie McGrath's blog at the Chicago Journal by clicking here.

Sincerely,
Stephen Reginald
South Loop Connection
Classic Movie Man

P.S. Have a great MMATM moment/story? Please share it here.