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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Casablanca

Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and set during World War II in Vichy-controlled Casablanca, Morocco.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama set in World War II-era Morocco, widely regarded as a classic of Hollywood cinema.

What it is

Directed by Michael Curtiz, the film stars Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, an American expatriate running a nightclub in Vichy-controlled Casablanca. Ingrid Bergman plays Ilsa Lund, and Paul Henreid plays Victor Laszlo, a resistance leader. The story is based on an original screenplay and the unproduced play *Everybody Comes to Rick's*.

Why it matters

Casablanca was a box-office hit and its reputation grew quickly after release. It is especially remembered for its memorable dialogue, including the line “Here’s looking at you, kid,” and its emotional ending, which explores themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice during wartime.

Key details

The film was released in 1942, with a wide U.S. theatrical release on January 23, 1943. It is a Warner Bros. production. Supporting roles include Peter Lorre as Ugarte. The plot centers on Rick’s choice between his love for Ilsa and helping her husband escape the city.

In short

  • Classic 1942 romantic drama set in wartime Casablanca.
  • Stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid.
  • Famous for the line “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
  • Box-office hit with enduring critical acclaim.

Quick questions

What is Casablanca about?
It follows nightclub owner Rick Blaine, who must choose between rekindling a romance with Ilsa Lund and helping her husband, resistance leader Victor Laszlo, escape the city.
Who starred in Casablanca?
Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid lead the cast.
When was Casablanca released?
The film is from 1942; its U.S. wide theatrical release was January 23, 1943.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casablanca_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, setting, and plot premise.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Casablanca-film-by-Curtiz
    Supports: Setting, box-office success, and the famous line 'Here’s looking at you, kid.'
  3. British Film Institute — https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/61d5c0dc-151e-5c9c-92ef-4a3039aa82f2/casablanca
    Supports: Setting, synopsis, and significance of the film.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1003707-casablanca
    Supports: Wide theatrical release date.
  5. Fandom — https://www.fandom.com/wiki/Casablanca
    Supports: Adaptation from the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's.