There is a phenomenon that occurs over time. This Phenomenon is called perspective. I noticed this during the viewing of the movie "Casablanca" circa 1942. I noticed some things years later, as I missed watching it as a young person. I noticed that there was a woman Yvonne that approached him at the bar "where were you last night?" Rick answered "That's so long ago I can't remember," she asks Will I see you tonight. Rick answers “I don't make plans that far ahead." as an 11-year old that meant absolutely nothing, but as a 40-year-old watching it (way back then) I thought "Dang Son" that was a cold shot. The man was a Straight PLAYA. The next thing I noticed I inspector Louis Reneau was a Crook “I'm shocked, shocked that gambling is going on in here. The pit-boss enters from off screen and states "your winnings sir.".” His gambling habits aside, he seemed to be biding his time until he had to make a decision that he made at the end of the movie “Round up the usual suspects.”
Ilsa and Rick where do I start on that one. She left him waiting in vain at the train station as Paris fell. This is after a whirlwind courtship. She broke his heart. At Ricks, he seemed fine until she walked into the Gin joint. Rick was visibly shaken. Now for the status of letters of transit that were stolen at the beginning of the movie. Why did Rick give them to Elsa? She did say they would leave her husband so she and Rick can get away. However, there was a scene where Elsa tells Rick that he has to do the thinking for both of them shortly after that the scene went "fade to black," and we know what that means in the old movies. Like something that the lights are left on for newer movies. They were doing a little hanky-panky
Rick was sentimental. The young couple from Bulgaria, the husband, was playing on the Roulette table trying to make money for the letters of transit. After a conversation where she says something to the effect of "if someone did something bad to ensure the happiness of their husband, and the husband never found out would it be bad.” Rick then heads to the casino and tells the husband to play 22 on the roulette wheel. It hits in case you are wondering the payout is 35 to 1. He then tells him to keep it on 22. It amazingly hits again for another 35 to 1 Payout. Rick tells them to go and never come back. The word gets out to what Rick as done and his status rises with his employees. Before his departure, Rick ensured that Sam (the pianist) Was taken care of and had a job
Rick was a Patriot. When provoked by Major Strasse Rick did not rise to the bait. However, when the Germans sang their patriotic songs. Rick gives the head nod that allowed the band to be led by Victor Lazlo in
La Marseillaise.
I have some serious questions about Viktor Lazlo. What did he know, how much did he know, and what were his priorities when it came to Ilsa? It would seem that he. Was all in for the cause and she was kind of “just there” there is a question that my adult mentality has trouble getting its mind around. That is what husband lets his wife meet a former boyfriend (or any man) at O dark thirty in the AM in a foreign country that is more or less at best a part of the Vichy Govt at best, or under Nazi Occupation at worst. That’s rhetorical no answer is needed just raising the question. At the end of the movie, Rick not only let Elsa and her husband escape but also killed Major Strasse in a straight up Wild West shootout that being said, I have heard its bad tactics to draw on a drawn gun. That is just a couple of things I got from the movie as an adult that I missed as a kid. I am sure there are movies that one watched as a young person that suddenly a more profound meaning was discovered with the benefit of older eyes.
There is not much to Major Strasse, as he is the wartime caricature of the axis villain that we have come to expect. A character is totally devoid of any depth whatsoever. Kind of like the Japanese Secret agent of the period round glasses an all.
As for the mysterious case of Sam, I can infer as in make it all up or guess a couple of things. Since Rick fought in the Spanish Civil war, the case can be made for the partnership of Rick and Sam during that conflict. It is a Historical fact that Black troops fought in the Spanish Civil war notably in the Abraham Lincoln Division on the side of the loyalists. Side note the future Medal of Honor winner Edward A. Carter Jr served in that unit in the Spanish civil war which became a problem for him when the communists became our enemies like after 15 mins after hostilities ended.
Back to the point that was the movie Casablanca the character Signor Ugarte who is one of my favorite characters in the film (albeit short-lived) was played by Peter Lorre. There will be more on Mr. Lorre when I explain the complexities of the movie the Maltese Falcon see through adult eyes.
Finally, my understanding of the nuances of old movies seen through a more mature perspective, (as time goes by) seems like something that I would like to explore again with the wealth of film of the early days of Hollywood as it is an inexhaustible supply of stuff to write about and that is the point me writing. Thanks for listening to my exercise in putting my thoughts on paper developing a skill that I wish to pursue as my 3rd career.
