Jaynie Van Roe's Page

The first time I saw CASABLANCA was at a revival theater when I was in college...and I didn't like it. In hindsight, I realize that the reason I didn't like it was because I was expecting an action movie, and this was a romantic drama. However, upon a 2nd viewing (on TV) it started to grow on me and every time I see it (20 times?) I see something new. The characters. The situations.

I must disagree with you about Bergman's performance. Why shouldn't it be on the cold side. This woman has been running from the Nazis. Her husband has been tortured by the Nazis. Yes, she has feelings for Rick, but she's torn. This is not a happy woman.

Regarding TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT, this is generally considered to be one of Hemingway's weaker novels. In fact, I believe that director Howard Hawks bet Papa that he could make a movie out of the book when Hemingway bet he couldn't.

Have a Happy New Year.

I'm sure this dialogue will continue.

CASABLANCA is my all time favorite movie, but I've always considered TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT to be one of Bogart's lesser films. It's okay...but it's not in the same league as CASABLANCA, THE MALTESE FALCON, KEY LARGO, etc.

Although the scenes with Bacall certainly sizzle, they also slow down the forward movement of the story, which takes the title from Hemingway's book and little else. The remake with John Garfield (i.e. THE BREAKING POINT) was much closer to the book and, I think, a better movie.