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By FRANK BEHRENS
All right, if "Citizen Kane"
is the greatest American film ever, then
"Casablanca" must be the second. And no matter how
many times one sees it -- and I will not waste
space telling you about what you almost certainly
know concerning the plot, the acting, the
brilliant dialogue, the great photography -- one
always can enjoy it yet one more time. And now
there is every reason to see it at least three
more times!
Warner Brothers has issued a two-DVD set that is
organized like this: On the first disc, you can
watch a short introduction to the film by Lauren
Bacall, followed by the film restored to pristine
condition. Then you can see it a second time with
an over-voice commentary by film critic Roger
Ebert and a third time with a commentary by film
historian Rudy Behlmer. (I found Ebert's comments
more entertaining, more about the film itself,
while the Behlmer commentary concentrated more on
the history of the production, a good deal of
which is repeated in a bonus feature on the second
disc.) There is also a list of cast, crew and
awards, plus the original trailer and that of the
1992 re-release.
The second DVD is crammed with information and
features, some less, some very much informative.
Bogart's son and Bergman's daughter have little of
interest to give us other than idolatry, but the
90-minute feature "Bacall on Bogart" is a
wonderful biography of that fascinating actor by
an equally fascinating actress. Some short
outtakes and deleted scenes are interesting,
recordings of different versions of the songs and
music less so, and a 15-minute 1955 television
spin-off of "Casablanca" titled "Who Holds
Tomorrow" with Charles McGraw as Rick is puzzling
and lacked fizz.
For those with long attention spans, there is the
1943 radio version of the film with the original
stars but with no visuals.
And then -- ah, yes -- the gem of the collection!
I was literally half off my seat laughing at the
Warner Brothers cartoon "Carrotblanca" in which
Bugs Bunny plays the Bogart role, Tweety Pie the
Peter Lorre, Daffy Duck the Dooley Wilson, Pepe le
Pew the Rains, and Yosemite Sam the Veidt villain.
Never was there a more perfect spoof of any film
(not forgetting "Abbott and Costello Meet
Frankenstein" or even "Young Frankenstein") and be
sure to show this to all of your friends. (You
will never forget Daffy's rendition of "Knock on
Wood" as long as you live.)
I would advise you grab several "Casablanca" sets
and give them as seasonal presents -- unless, of
course, your friends have not beaten you to it. |
