Casablanca (1942)

In 1941 Casablanca in French Morocco, refugees from the Nazis hoping to get visas to Lisbon in neutral Portugal and from there to America. In Rick's (Humphrey Bogart) popular cafe and bar, intrigue and bartering in human lives are the order of the day. Loosely based on the play EVERYBODY COMES TO RICK'S by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison (which was never produced) and directed by Michael Curtiz. What can anyone say about CASABLANCA that hasn't already been said a hundred times over? The film is perfection. No, it's not "Art" but it's a sterling example of the Hollywood studio system at its best. A witty layered screenplay although reputedly the script was constantly being rewritten during the shooting with oodles of quotable dialog and incandescent performances by the charismatic legends in the two leads, the glowing Ingrid Bergman is the female lead. One of those rare films that seems to be universally loved (though of course, there are always naysayers). And that supporting cast! Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, S.Z. Sakall for starters. Paul Henreid gets a lot of flak as the third wheel as being "dull" but I think he's just right for the role. Also with Marcel Dalio, Leonid Kinskey, Madeleine LeBeau, Joy Page, Norma Varden and John Qualen.