CASABLANCA (1942)

When most people think “great old movie,” they think Casablanca. It’s synonymous with classic cinema.  This is because it has it all: great black-and-white cinematography (by Arthur Edeson), unforgettable music (Max Steiner at his best), pretty women (including the breathtaking Ingrid Bergman), ruggedly handsome men (including Humphey Bogart in his most iconic performance ever), and a cast of visually-memorable side characters (including Peter Lorre). Director Michael Curtiz won 1943 Oscar for Best Director. Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch won the Oscar for Best Screenplay. The film won 1943 Academy Award for Best Picture. Yeah, it’s that good.

The story is simple enough: A cynical American expatriate struggles to decide whether or not he should help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape from French Morocco (IMDB.com synopsis). The tension is unbearable throughout the film from the first plane’s arrival to the last plane's departure. Between planes: it’s all heartache, war-weary wise-cracks and sexual tension. And it’s perfect. 

For all these reasons (and many more), the film is consistently referenced in other films ranging from When Harry Met Sally…(1989) to Bugs Bunny’s Carrotblanca (1995) to La La Land (2016).

Honestly, we could dig into any Star Wars movie and find connections to Casablanca. For our purposes, let’s dig into Episode 7.

The documented Star Wars tie to Casablanca is in The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens book. Concept Artist Yanick Dusseault, who created many “mood” paintings for what different planets and locales could look like prior to the production of Force Awakens, shared how Star Wars: The Force Awakens Production Designer Rick Carter, gave him direction on how Takadana and Maz Kanata’s castle should look like:

“The rain; Middle Eastern, rich colors – that was the process. Initially, Rick was saying Casablanca. There was a simpler version that I created, which was based on one of Ralph McQuarrie’s paintings that Rick really liked because it was so simple.”

Images obtained from StarWarsNews.Net

The look and feel of both the Dusseault (and McQuarrie) paintings – with hanging tapestries, dirty streets and various portals here and there – visually carryover into many things Disney has done with Star Wars since Force Awakens, including Resistance and the Forces of Destiny shorts like this one…

And while we’re thinking of Maz Kanata, let’s head into spoiler territory and our findings:

RICK’S CAFÉ AMERCAIN = EPISODE 7’S MAZ CASTLE

Rick runs a café in Morocco. Shady and beautiful customers come and go. Gambling and illegal dealings swirl in the shadows all to the beat of melodic tunes from live musicians. Sometimes, a person walks in or event happens at the bar that stops everything…but only for a little bit and then the hazy hustle continues. Sound familiar? It should. And while Casablanca isn’t the only film to use this device (many westerns use this bit), Casablanca does it best. Why? Because Rick’s place is the major setting of the film and, by default, the most important character in the film. It’s everything Rick thinks he wants…until Ilsa walks in. 

Maz’s Castle/Tavern has the look and sound of Rick’s Café. And, the cast of characters, live music, everything comes to a halt when Maz calls out the name of Han Solo. This is purposeful as Han has a very Humphrey Bogart introduction in the very first Star Wars movie: chilling in a bar, watching the riff-raff, waiting for a big score so that he can leave his despicable locale. 

HIDE THAT IMPORTANT THING IN THE PIANO…OR BB-8

Everybody in Casablanca wants a coveted Letter of Transit – the very thing that can permit anyone – criminal, fugitive, or war hero – to pass through enemy lines and board a plane for (ultimately) America – or anywhere where the war isn’t. When Rick gets his hands on the Letters of Transit, he hides them in the rollaway piano. 

Han and company are in search safe passage…and they think Maz can help them. That’s why they stroll into her castle/bar. While it’s not a free pass through enemy territory, the map to Luke Skywalker is the coveted thing by everyone in the movie. And it’s in a rolling BB unit that’s one of a kind, BB-8. Poe Dameron (the closest thing to Han Solo in the sequel trilogy – besides Han himself, that is) puts the plans in BB-8 at the beginning of the film. It’s a nod to A NEW HOPE – but both are a nod to Casablanca with the hidden McGuffin that drives the story forward.

SIMILAR SOUNDING BEGINNINGS

The music over Casablanca’s opening titles sounds a lot like the music during Kylo Ren’s raid on the Jakku village. Likewise, both films begin with fearful apprehension upon the sight of an aircraft approaching. Both films involved evil military officials capturing and shooting citizens. 

HELLO AGAIN AND GOODBYE

Both Han (in TFA) and Rick (in Casablanca) are forced to deal with a woman they loved very much but had to leave due to stressful scenarios during war. Both reunions are pleasant, slow and cautious. They eventually do escalate to the point each person expresses their love for each other…but both partners know they cannot be together. At that is because they (Han & Leia, Rick & Ilsa) are needed to do things to help win the war….and it will dissolve the couples forever.

Image obtained from MovieGuide.org email. Here is their review of Casablanca.

I found a few other similarities (like Rick shooting first! Yes!), but I’ll stop here. Just know: if you’ve NEVER seen Casablanca, now is the time. Any time is the time. See it.