CHARACTERS




Humphrey Bogart - Rick Born in New York City on December 25, 1899 to Maud Humphrey and DeForest Bogart. He enlisted in the US Navy in the spring 1918. Later he worked as a stage manager for theatrical producer William A. Brady. His daughter, Alice Brady, felt Bogart had some acting potentical and gave him a role in Drifting (1922). He later appeared for a stage role in Swifty. Bogart married a total of four times during his life. Like many famous marriages, they did not last long, not even a year. In 1928 he married for the second time to actress Mary Philips. He headed West and took up roles in some not-so-important films such as The Devil Within the Woman. His wife, on the other hand, was very successful as a stage actress. Mary and Humphrey ended their marriage shortly after the move out West. He met another actress, Mayo Methot shortly after. Casablanca was probably one of his best films he starred in. It was chosen to be Best Picture of 1943 and has continued to be one of the best movies in movie history. Mayo was a frequent visitor to the set of Casablanca, keeping a watchful eye on Bogart and Begman. She felt their love scenes were just too convincing. Bogart played a cynical, tight-lipped character in the movie and could not be justified as being our hero of the story. His love for Ilsa was great but he was too confined in his ways to want to get her back. He did not beg her, he simply let her do what he felt was the best thing for her. He was a self less character throughout the movie but had a very big soft spot for Ilsa. Bogarts last film was The Harder they Fall. Shortly after the release in 1956, Bogart had surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his throat. He did recover but became ill again just a couple of months later. He died on January 14, 1957 in his bedroom in Hollywood. During his lifetime, he would become known as one of the great actors in history. Ingrid Bergman - Ilsa Lund Ingrid Bergman was born August 29, 1915 in Stockholm, Sweden. Her first role in film was Munkbrogreven. She also starred in four successful fims including, Spellbound, The Bell of St. Marys, Nororious and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Casablanca was the hit she starred in as a sexy, vulnerable woman. She adored Rick, but was willing to stay true to her husband. She was a woman with little confidence in herself and the life she was living. She did not know where to turn to for comfort when her husband Laszlo was in a concentration camp. She turned to Rick for comfort and began a love affair with him that made memories hard to bare when she cam to Casablanca. Everyone in America fell in love with Bergman. She had a pure and wholesome image that was tainted with a scandal with two men. She survived it, however and was admired by fans for her strong will. Bergman's last film was Autumn Sonata (1978). She later died of lung cancer in London on her birthday, August 29, 1982. Paul Henreid - Victor Laszlo Henreid played Victor Laszlo in Casablanca. He is our hero of the movie. He is patriotic and fights for freedom in the movie. He is adamant about wanting to get out of Casablanca. He not only fights for the freedom from war but also for freedom for him and his wife. He is not jealous or boastful. He does not even hold it against Rick for the relationship with Ilsa. He is rather thankful for his exit out of Casablanca to gain a better life for his wife. He is a total contrast to Rick because Rick does not want anything to do with helping others. He is not patriotic and does not see himself as a hero. Laszlo was brave for his escape from the concentration camp and for his time spent in Casablanca but did it anyway for a chance for a better life. Cast and Crew Director - Michael Curtiz Captain Louis Renault - Claude Rains Senor Ferrari - Sydney Greenstreet Ugarte - Peter Lorre Major Strasser - Conrad Veidt Carl (a waiter) - S.Z. Sakall Yvonne - Madeleine LeBeau Sam - Dooley Wilson