Customer Reviews

The Making of Casablanca: Bogart, Bergman, and World War II

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Have you ever purchased something twice and started to read or listen to it and realize you have already read or purchased it before?
As Bogart says in his cafe, " I was misinformed". A few years ago,I bought and read this book under the title, "Round Up The Usual Suspects" and I enjoyed it very much. I then bought it again (recently, I'm not that disoriented-yet) under it's new title, "The Making of Casablanca" same book, and same level of enjoyment. Aljean Harmetz was a New York Times correspondent and she is a skilled writer. Ms. Harmetz unfurls the story of the production of "Casablanca" in an entertaining fashion. So many things could have been undone by the studio and the government (released before World War II) the producer Hal Wallis kept the production on even keel and how Wallis went about it, is the crux of the story. Great insight into the era and the number of refugees who portray refugees, Bogart stories and Bergman tales. A really absorbing read, especially if you are a fan of the movie...and who isn't?

I read this book in hardcover, and loved it. CASABLANCA is my all-time favorite film, and I've read all the other books about it, too, but this one is by far the best. It's a great study of how the film got made, at a level of (fascinating!) detail not found in other references. I recommend it without reservation.

This book has really opened my eyes to the history and behind the scenes events for one of my most favorite movies. If your a film collector this book belongs in your collection.