"Casablanca" Screening TONIGHT!

Tonight, in 20 cities, "Casablanca" will screen on the silver screen!
I just obtained my FREE pass for the Los Angeles screening and can't wait to go!

Find out which cities are screening and get your free pass HERE!

1973 Merv Griffin Cannes Film Festival Interview with Ingrid Bergman

Here is a really fantastic interview with Ingrid during the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. She looks gorgeous and her answers are so wonderful. What an inspiration!

Retrobites CBC Interviews with Ingrid Bergman

I recently found some interviews on Youtube of Ingrid Bergman. They are from the CBC as part of their "Retrobites" series.
They are just another wonderful window into Ingrid's life and work. Thank you to CBC for posting!

TCM Film Festival 2012

Hello Everyone-

I hope you're having a wonderful spring!

I have been going to screenings at the TCM Film Festival, once again... Just returned from the screening of Casablanca at Grauman's Chinese Theater. It was the 70th Anniversary renovated edition. I'll definitely post about the festival and the screenings as soon as I finish attending!

If you're at the Festival, please post a comment or tweet at me @alexis_morrell on twitter.

You can also follow the festival @tcmfilmfest

"Here's looking at you kid..."

Casablanca Part 2: Lost in Morocco

Another post about Casablanca's screenings on Wed...

I received an email from another devout Classic Film/Ingrid fan, Geoff Renstrom, asking to promote the screenings of Casablanca... Here's the note. Be sure to see the film and visit their website!

"Hello,

Plan on a night filled with suspense, intrigue romance, and fantastic lines. That’s right; Casablanca is headed back to the big screen for a 70^thanniversary celebration. Join your favorite characters Rick and Ilsa for this timeless classic, a part of cinema history.

NCM Fathom, Turner Classic Movies, and Warner Bros are coming together again to present Turner Classic Movies Presents Casablanca 70th Anniversary Event in select movie theaters nationwide on Wednesday, March 21st at 7:00PM (local time).

The event will begin with Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne taking audiences behind the scenes of this epic love story in a special original production showcasing stories from those who were on set and those who simply admire this timeless classic. Audiences will then be able to see again on the silver screen this beautiful and timeless classic.

We hope you’ll spread the word about this fantastic event by sharing information about Turner Classic Movies Presents Casablanca 70th Anniversary Event with your readers through mediums such as blog posts, newsletters, Facebook and Twitter. For more downloadable tools and additional details about Casablanca, including information on participating movie theaters and tickets, visit www.fathomevents.com

Please let us know if we can provide any other information to facilitate your outreach. Thank you for your support.

----

Geoff Renstrom

Pure Brand Communications"

The website holds details about tickets, contests, prizes and other Casablanca themed fun! Be sure to check it out and report back to the blog!

Can't wait to hear about all of your movie adventures and I'll hopefully have time to post about mine! :)

Casablanca 70th Anniversary Celebrations!

Hi everyone!
Sorry it's been so long since I last posted. My life has been going in a fantastic direction lately and I've been completely overwhelmed with work (Graduate school, filmmaking, writing, and watching!)



I'm sure some of you have receieved updates from TCM about the 70th anniversary screenings of Casablanca this week...

"The quintessential Hollywood love story returns to the big screen this spring as Turner Classic Movies Presents Casablanca 70th Anniversary Event on Wednesday, March 21, at 7 pm local time, with special matinees in select theaters. Movie audiences in theaters nationwide will be able to experience the time-honored classic in a stunning digital presentation by NCM Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and Warner Home Video. The event will be introduced by TCM host Robert Osborne who will discuss Casablanca's enduring legacy and reveal some of its fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. Casablancastarred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid and became one of the most romantic films in the history of cinema. It won three Academy Awards in 1944 including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

Tickets for Turner Classic Movies Presents Casablanca 70th Anniversary Event are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. The event will be broadcast to nearly 500 select movie theaters across the country through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Movie critic Leonard Maltin calls Casablanca "the best Hollywood movie of all time." The American Film Institute (AFI) voted it the screen's greatest love story and the No. 3 film of all time. The film's characters, dialogue and music have all become iconic in Hollywood movie history.

"There are few things more thrilling for movie lovers than being able to experience a true classic like Casablanca the way it was originally intended: on the big screen," said Dennis Adamovich, senior vice president of brand and digital activation for TCM, TNT and TBS. "We're proud to take part in this exciting event as we extend the magic of Turner Classic Movies to theaters across the country."

Casablanca: easy to enter, but much harder to leave, especially if you're wanted by the Nazis. Such a man is Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only hope is Rick Blaine (Bogart), a cynical American who sticks his neck out for no one - especially Victor's wife Ilsa (Bergman), the ex-lover who broke his heart. Ilsa offers herself in exchange for Laszlo's transport out of the country and bitter Rick must decide what counts more - personal happiness or countless lives hanging in the balance.

"Like many, I have fond memories of watching Casablanca with my family," said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of Fathom Events. "Fans of this timeless cinematic treasure won't want to miss this one-time opportunity to experience Casablanca on the big screen once again as Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman take us back to the golden age of Hollywood."

Turner Classic Movies Presents Casablanca 70th Anniversary Event is the third recent classic anniversary event presented in theaters by NCM Fathom Events including the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz and 50th anniversary of West Side Story.

Warner Home Video will release Casablanca 70th Anniversary Edition on March 27 featuring a 3-Disc limited and numbered gift set including the remastered feature on both Blu-ray and DVD with more than 14 hours of bonus material. The keepsake box also includes a compilation of three comprehensive feature length documentaries, a hard-cover 62-page book with never-before-seen on-set photography, sketches and production history, a reproduction of the original 1942 French theatrical poster as well as a collectible set of drink coasters."

I'm not sure why it's happening right now, since we all know that it premiered in November and January of 1942 and 1943... But... We'll take it, right?

If you can make it, be sure to comment on the blog! It would be great to hear about everyone's adventures and experiences...

NYTimes Article About "Casablanca" : 1943

I stumbled upon this article about Casablanca and Ingrid's relationship to Hollywood. It's a very interesting article and since it's during WWII and about a movie that would change cinematic and parts of general history, I think it's worth reading.

Here is a link to the NYTimes site and if you can't access it, here it is (as a quote, I DO NOT OWN THIS MATERIAL):

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New York Times Article Link

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December 26, 1943

'CASABLANCA'

Ingrid Bergman: In, but Not of, Hollywood

By The New York Times

HOLLYWOOD — "Ingrid Bergman is the realest thing in these diggings," said an ordinarily caustic Hollywood columnist. The first time you see her you understand the reason for his description of her. She has brought into this capital of artificiality the simplicity and charm of her native Sweden. Unpainted fingernails, skin that doesn't look like icing on a cake, a natural manner, unpretentious clothes - these usual things make her unusual among Hollywood stars. Miss Bergman's career is marked by no publicity escapades. No stories of outbursts of artistic temperament are told about her. She is rarely seen in those select night clubs where other screen celebrities parade like manikins at a fashion show. The young doctor to whom she was married before she came here is still her husband and from time to time she brings her 5-year-old daughter Pia on the lot with her. Despite her success she remains the unassuming, serious-minded young woman she was when, after much hesitation, she made up her mind to come to this country.

Not long after she arrived, the studio wanted to make some stills of her and the photographer suggested that she raise her skirt ''just a trifle.'' She looked at him, smiled, and remarked: ''But I came here to act, not to dance.'' Some months ago Madame Chiang Kai-shek visited the studio where Miss Bergman was working. All the other stars were dolled up in their best to be presented to the first lady of China. Miss Bergman appeared hatless, dressed in a tailored suit and wearing broad, flat-heeled shoes.

She is not beautiful in the Hollywood sense of the word. The glamour which surrounds her is the glamour of youth and health. Her charm is not dependent upon beauticians and her attractive face would serve better as an ad for a tonic than as one for a cosmetic. It has been used for neither, for she does not believe in endorsing any products.

No one would pick her out as a movie queen. She has stood unrecognized for half an hour waiting on line to see one of her own pictures.

Miss Bergman was working on her new film when, between shots, she posed for me. As Paula in a screen version of ''Angel Street,'' called now ''Gaslight,'' she was dressed in a tight-fitting bustled gown of the Seventies. Her long blond hair fell about her shoulders from beneath a tiny sailor hat. It was surprising how little make-up she had on. Her face is round, her cheek bones well-formed. No lipstick altered the natural contour of her mouth and scant mascara reinforced the long lashes which shade her clear blue eyes. There was none of that unreal look about her which so many actresses feel it is necessary to put on before the camera.

Apart from her appearance, what makes her distinctive is her outlook upon life. About her is none of the gaiety ordinarily associated with this place. Although she believes that her private life is no concern of the public, she had not been posing for me long before she told me about her father, who was a photographer and also an artist.

''He always wanted to make a painting of me,'' she said, ''but he never could get me to pose long enough. I was too restless. All I have by him is a sketch he made when I did not know what he was doing. I am sorry now, but I am one of those people who simply can't sit down and do nothing.

''Even now as I am sitting here I am beginning to worry about my next scene and wondering if I shall know my lines. That is the only thing I don't like about acting: the constant dread I have of forgetting my part. I am what you call a quick study and I can learn my lines under the most trying circumstances. I trained myself to do this when I was a child.

''After my father and mother died, they relatives with whom I lived did not want me to become an actress, but I was constantly studying poems and reciting them for myself in my own room. So that they would not know what I was doing, I kept a phonograph going to drown out my voice.

''Would you mind if I just ran over a few pages of my next scene?'' she asked and so saying she began reading them, her full lips moving as she did so.

In a short time she laid the script aside. It was then I asked what kind of parts she liked the best.

''Serious ones,'' she replied, raising her naturally arched eyebrows. She had been posing in profile. Now, she turned her face toward me as she answered my question.

''Although people seemed to like me in 'Casablanca,' I cared for myself less in that part than in the serious roles I have played. It was for this reason that I was so delighted when, after I saw Mr. Hemingway, he wanted me to play Maria in 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.'

''But you must not forget,'' she said, ''that I come from Sweden and we Swedes are very different from Americans. By nature we are a more serious-minded people. Perhaps it is the ruggedness of the country and the rigors of our climate that make us so. We are not frivolous. The lighter side of life is less important. We even take our pleasures gravely.

''This sober approach to life is evident in all our arts. Our paintings have comparatively little light-heartedness in them and the sunlight they depict is a cold sunlight. One of our most popular authors is that tragic playwright Strindberg whose works never caught on here. I you have ever read his 'Fraulein Julie' you will realize that he does not write the kind of plays that Americans would flock to. Yet I would love to play that part.

''Even our humor is different from yours. There is always a note of fantasy about it. Carl Milles expresses it in some of his sculpture. His quaint dolphins and strange mermen and mermaids are typical of the lighter side of our country and even his dancing girls portray a spirit of meditation.

''Now you understand why I like serious parts better and why my favorite American authors are Hemingway and Steinbeck.''

She went on to compare Hollywood with Rasunda where Swedish films are made. She said that when she came here she just stared about like a ''silly goose,'' although she had been acting in Sweden for some time.

Her first screen appearance took place a quarter of a century ago - she was a year old at the time - when her father made a movie of her birthday party. He continued to take pictures of such parties up to the time of his death when she was 13. She is now doing the same thing for her daughter.

''I always wanted to be an actress,'' she said, ''but my father, who sang well himself, wanted me to be a singer. So to please him I studied singing for three years, but got nowhere. All the time, however, I was acting for my own pleasure. I ransacked the attic for old clothes which I put on while I recited.''

At school in Stockholm her dramatic talent was recognized and when she was 17 she won a scholarship in the Royal Dramatic School. At the end of a year she was on the road to fame and one of her pictures, ''A Woman's Face,'' was voted the best film of 1938 at an international exposition.

Even before, her reputation had spread to this country. Hollywood saw another Garbo in her and tried to lure her here. But the tall young blond actress refused to come. She was doing well, she did not need any more money than she was making and besides she was married to Dr. Lindstrom, then a young dentists. To leave Sweden would mean breaking home ties. It was not until four years ago last April that she arrived here with a nice fat contract.

When she reached Hollywood she realized that she did not fit with its goings-on. She slipped away early from a party given in her honor and went to her room a puzzled young woman.

Notwithstanding all she had heard about the place there were surprises when she started in on her first picture. The extravagances of the studio appalled her. She could not understand the reason for the number of retakes. Buying fresh flowers daily for a scene when paper ones, to her mind, would serve, seemed like throwing money away.

She said nothing and kept much to herself - often a method of becoming unpopular. But strangely enough it did not work that way in her case. People realized that she was shy and strange here and they did not mistake her shyness for standoffishness. When an actress goes to a supermarket and wheels a basketful of provisions up to the checking desk, people are not likely to regard her as upstage.

After she had finished her first picture, ''Intermezzo,'' she went back to Sweden. The next year she returned, followed soon by her husband, who had by then decided to give up dentistry for medicine. They took a small house in Rochester, N.Y., where he attended medical school. Whenever she was not working on a picture or appearing on the stage she flew there. There was but on trouble. Her admirers of both sexes ran her and her husband ragged. They could not even go skating without a gallery.

Ever since she appeared in ''Casablanca,'' Miss Bergman has had an apartment in Beverly Hills where she lives with her daughter. Dr. Lindstrom is an intern in a San Francisco hospital. Nevertheless Miss Bergman is still the housewife and her husband the master of the house.

Like the proverbial busman who goes for a ride on his day off, Miss Bergman goes in for making movies as a hobby. She carries a small movie camera about her and has it near her even when she is working. When I had finished my drawing of her she asked me to pose with it so that she might take a picture. There was something almost childlike about her as she did this.

According to those who have worked with her, she never shows any signs of artistic tantrums. Between shots she can often be seen sitting quietly in her dressing room, reading a novel. She is untiring and seems to radiate a cheerfulness which affects not only her director and fellow actors but also the others at work on the set. Most of ''For Whom the Bell Tolls'' was filmed at an elevation of 8,000 feet. She alone seemed to be unaffected by the altitude. When making an OWI picture in Minnesota she skied to location and laughed at the other members of the company who complained of the cold.

Gregory Ratoff, a hard man to work for, laid aside his boisterous manner when he directed her pictures; he also confessed that at the end of the day he was exhausted while she was still as fresh as when she started. Practically every one of her directors says she is one of the best readers of lines working for the screen and that she is more willing to adopt suggestion than any other star.

Although she accepts criticism and apologizes if she slips on a line, she is more or less set in her ideas about costumes. She refuses to adopt Hollywood's ideas of what she should wear in her pictures, and many a startling gown has been discarded for a simple dress of her own choosing. She is just as positive in her notions concerning make-up and she applies it herself.

''Acting,'' she told me, ''is a hard job which I enjoy. After I have studied my part and get the feel of it, I spend a tremendous amount of time in building up the characterization. I study every sentence, because every work and sentence must add something to the development of the character.

''I work so hard before the camera and on the stage that I have neither the desire nor the energy to act in my private life. There I prefer to be myself and forget all about audiences and look after my family.''

Ingrid in the Bathroom/WC/Restroom/Toilet/Loo

Hello everyone! I'm back.

Once again from a long hiatus, but I am back none-the-less. How is everyone? Still in love w

ith Ingrid Bergman? I know I am. I might be even more smitten these days... Because I have been at some events that showcased her beautiful face, talent and persona. Let me fill you in...

I went to a Los Angeles crew screening of the new movie Bridesmaids. It was at the Westwood Theater here in L.A. and in the bathroom I found a funny and pleasant surprise... Photos of Ingrid from Casablanca! After I stopped laughing, I took a photo of the photo and freaked out several ladies waiting in line. It was worth taking the picture though. Just made me feel more connected to Ingrid, this time in a truly intimate setting. Lol.

I think this is appropriate, don't you? It's not like she was hanging over or near the toilets. Just in the powder/waiting room outside. It was cute and I liked it. The movie was awesome too.

The second thing I would like to post about... Is the TCM Classic Film Festival... but now that I think about it-- I think I'm going to keep you in suspense and work on a post solely dedicated to that event. HINT: It was fun :)

Event Through USC SCA

"Out Of The Archives" is an event happening now at USC SCA (aka, where I go to school). There is a huge collection of USC Warner Bros. Archives, stills from films, including Casablanca, on display from today September 16th through December 12th. The event is taking place at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (you might know them for the "Oscars") in the Academy Grand Lobby Gallery . Admission is free-- so if you're in the Los Angeles area, you should check it out! There are also rare photos of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, among others.

I'm hoping to get a free minute to get over there and see the photos... this semester has been insanely busy! Hope everyone is doing well.

Ingridly love,

Alexis

I know, I know!

Hey everyone--

I was just watching Gaslight and I realized I have so much to do on the blog! I am really going to work on getting some fabulous posts up in the next few days. I'll even work on trying to tackle Casablanca. I have never dealt with a movie that has such iconic pull-- so I'm thinking it might just be me doing crazy commentary-- let me know what you think about that... I'd love some input.

Hope everyone is doing well and I'll give you some Ingridly love as soon as possible :)

Alexis

TCM FIlm Festival Day 1

Hello all!

Tonight was the first night of the 1st TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, CA and it was marvelous!

I went with my friend Alex and he and I saw Monkey Business and Casablanca.

Monkey Business stars Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers and Marilyn Monroe, was directed by Howard Hawk and it is a blast. I hadn't seen it in a few years and it cracked me up as well as brought back some great memories of watching it with my Dad.

Casablanca, was better than I had imagined. To see Ingrid's talent and beauty on the big screen was breathtaking. It was a complete experience. It was like traveling back in time in a comfy theater seat, with popcorn fuel and soda pop dreams. Her tears for Rick and Laszlo were as big as me! I seriously almost cried when she asked Sam to play "As Time Goes By."

I also clapped and sang along to "Knock on Wood." LOL. I think they should tour with this film and we should make it like the Rocky Horror Picture Show-- everyone participate and dress up... but don't dress like a Nazi. That wouldn't be tasteful.

Well I'm tired- so I can't report much more, except that everyone should see an Ingrid Bergman film or a classic film on the big screen before they die. It's pure bliss.

Here are some pictures from today and tomorrow I think I will be wearing my floppy brown hat and my blue and gold dress.* If you are at the festival, please say hello-- or send an email to ingridbergmanfilms@gmail.com and let me know if you're going to a screening. It would be great to have some pictures with readers and to meet you!

Marquee at Mann's Chinese 6.

PURE HOLLYWOOD. LOL

Alex and Me (he's a brilliant filmmaker who is in my class at USC SCA)

(Me next to the Casablanca image on the map at Mann's Chinese 6 Theater)

(This is the red carpet we couldn't get to because our passes are just "Classic" lol)

Oh - PS - Peter Bogdanovich introduced Monkey Business and Ben Mankiewicz introducedCasablanca- both were hilarious and know their stuff. Entertaining and informative! :)

*Change of plans with the clothing... but I'll definitely have my floppy hat. I'll probably tweet what I'm wearing and which screening I'm at, if anyone is there.

Popping In

Hello Readers-

Sorry I've been a phantom of the blog these past months. I've been crazy busy with school. I hope to have some fantastic posts when things slow down. I am actually attempting to read a dissertation written by a NC State Professor about Ingrid and Roberto Rossellini. One of our fellow readers/fans wrote me about it and I'm trying to get enough info for a really juicy post!
I'll have some downtime after the semester and will hopefully give you more detailed Ingrid posts and maybe someday attempt to play by play Casablanca. LOL.

Hope you're all doing well. Please feel free to comment and let me know what you're up to!

I watched Notorious! last night, and like always-- Fell in love with the film AGAIN! :)

Ingridly Love,

Alexis

1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Today, Ingrid Bergman Life and Films is one year old.

We have 67 followers, 78 Facebook fans, a tumblr account linked to the site, have been reposted by blogs and websites, I've made tons of new friends and received Ingrid themed gifts from talented people all over the world and tweeted a lot since last March.

I cannot believe how fulfilling this blog has been. I mean, now I can because it's a part of my life, but I see, hear, notice, feel Ingrid Bergman around me everywhere.

Last year, I was still waiting to find out about Grad schools, had no real direction, didn't know what to do with my spare time. Once I started this blog, the support and direction followed. It was like the spirit of Classic Film and Ingrid Bergman (among the hundreds of stars everyone else blogs about) were pulling me and motivating me to steer toward my dreams. Reach for the highest stars. "Be yourself, everyone worships an original."

I have been learning so much from this blogging experience. I'm collecting Ingrid movies, branching my movie experience as well as my network.

I am so impressed by the following Ingrid Bergman has, especially how international it is. I love hearing from all of you. I love receiving tweets from various time zones, re-blogs from Canada, and DVD's from Spain! It just proves that Ingrid's immortalization through celluloid wasn't in vain, she will never die in any of our hearts.

I was hoping to have something monumental to talk about, but since I haven't even finished the Casablanca play by play (what is this? month 4 of not finishing?) I will only leave you with something that I feel captures the entire theme of the blog and this post.

Ingridly love to you all (thanks for that catchphrase Mike!) and enjoy.

Movies Unlimited: Movie Fan Fare

I am extremely happy today! Ingrid Bergman Life and Films has been re-posted and promoted by "Movies Unlimited: Movie Fan Fare"!!!

I was contacted by Chris Cummins from the website and he said the following:

"Hello,

We would love to repost your Casablanca: A History piece (http://ingridbergmanfilms.blogspot.com/2009/11/casablanca-history.html). The only changed we would make would be that we would include a new piece of art as the header image and insert a retail link to the film on our retail site. (www.moviesunlimited.com). If either of these changes is a problem, please let me know.

Additionally, at the bottom of your piece we would like to include a brief bio of you. Could we use the one from your website, or would you like to write a new 1-2 line bio for us? Either way is fine. We will give you a link at the bottom of the page as well. At this point, we would like to run the piece in approximately 2 weeks, we can email you when we know exactly when. Again, a million thanks for sharing this piece with us. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Chris"

Of course I said a giant "YES!" to the situation. Lol.

I am truly honored to have my blog represented in such a fashion. It's a feather in the cap of Ingrid Bergman as well. As long as she remains in discussions and around us, I'm doing my job!

The blog is almost a year old and you all have made it such fun to have an environment in which Ingrid is loved and respected.

Thank you Movies Unlimited and thank you for reading :)

Looney Tunes: "Carrotblanca"

Someone on Tumblr.com posted a picture of Looney Tune's "Carrotblanca," so I had to find it on youtube.com

Amazing. Hilarious. Stunningly accurate. All of the jokes are right on target. The quotes are just close enough to be funny and it's Looney Tunes...who can refuse?!

I hope you enjoy this short blissful parody as much as I have. I hope to write soon. Just let me finish some homework and I'll try and get to it! :)

61 followers! Yey!

PS if you want more Ingrid consistantly, please follow my tumblr.com account or follow me on twitter... also-- comments make everyone happy! :)

A Bergman Valentine's Day

If you're looking for some way to ignore the commercialism of Valentine's Day, or looking for a way to celebrate with your boyfriend or girlfriend... here's a list of Ingrid films playing that day!

February 14th, TCM is playing 3 Ingrid Bergman films! Here is a list of the times that the films will be playing on TCM. Though they are mostly playing in the wee hours of the morning (unless, like me you're in a different time zone and are hours behind the original play time and TCM has yet to realize that they should adapt...) I have highlighted them and printed out the rest of the day's schedule. There are movies here that are just simply worth seeing (The African Queen for one!)

Also- if you click on THIS LINK it will send you to tv-now where you can check when Ingrid is on television! Enjoy!

4:00 AM	Murder On The Orient Express (1974)
	Belgian detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of a mysterious businessman during a luxurious train ride. Cast: Albert Finney, Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman. Dir: Sidney Lumet. C-128 mins, TV-14, CC, Letterbox Format
14 Sunday
6:15 AM	Notorious (1946)
	A U.S. agent recruits a German expatriate to infiltrate a Nazi spy ring in Brazil. Cast: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains. Dir: Alfred Hitchcock. BW-101 mins, TV-PG, CC
8:00 AM	High Society (1956)
	In this musical version of The Philadelphia Story, tabloid reporters invade a society wedding. Cast: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra. Dir: Charles Walters. C-107 mins, TV-PG, CC, Letterbox Format, DVS
10:00 AM	Foreign Affair, A (1948)
	A prim Congresswoman gets caught up in the romantic decadence of post-war Germany. Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Jean Arthur, John Lund. Dir: Billy Wilder. BW-112 mins, TV-PG
12:00 PM	More the Merrier, The (1943)
	The World War II housing shortage brings three people together for an unlikely romance. Cast: Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea, Charles Coburn. Dir: George Stevens. BW-104 mins, TV-G, CC
2:00 PM	Devil and Miss Jones, The (1941)
	A department store owner goes undercover as an employee to thwart union activists. Cast: Jean Arthur, Charles Coburn, Robert Cummings. Dir: Sam Wood. BW-92 mins, TV-G, CC
4:00 PM	Lady Eve, The (1941)
	A lady cardsharp tries to con an eccentric scientist only to fall for him. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Charles Coburn. Dir: Preston Sturges. BW-94 mins, TV-PG, CC
6:00 PM	Ball Of Fire (1941)
	A group of professors takes in a nightclub singer hiding from the law to protect her gangster boyfriend. Cast: Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Dana Andrews. Dir: Howard Hawks. BW-112 mins, TV-G, CC
8:00 PM	Casablanca (1942)
	An American saloon owner in North Africa is drawn into World War II when his lost love turns up. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid. Dir: Michael Curtiz. BW-103 mins, TV-PG, CC, DVS
10:00 PM	African Queen, The (1951)
	A grizzled skipper and a spirited missionary take on the Germans in Africa during World War I. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley. Dir: John Huston. C-105 mins, TV-PG, CC
12:00 AM	Summertime (1955)
	A schoolteacher is surprised to find love on a Venetian vacation. Cast: Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi, Isa Miranda. Dir: David Lean. C-100 mins, TV-PG
2:00 AM	Little Women (1949)
	The four daughters of a New England family fight for happiness during and after the Civil War. Cast: June Allyson, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Lawford. Dir: Mervyn LeRoy. C-122 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
4:15 AM	Tortilla Flat (1942)
	Inhabitants of a Southern California fishing village strive for the simple pleasures of life. Cast: Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr, John Garfield. Dir: Victor Fleming. BW-99 mins, TV-PG, CC

Spellbound

Today, in my writing class, we were talking about dream-like treatments and branching beyond reality. I didn't do too well with my treatment, he felt it was too linear for the assignment, but I still loved the dream I wrote about... I was working on the Mary Tyler Moore Show... it was amazing!

I felt better at the end of class because our teacher said he wanted to show us a dream sequence from "Suspicion" and a couple of my classmates and I were like... what dream sequence?

He was like, "You know the one that Gary Cooper has..." and I said, "You mean Cary Grant?" And he said, "No, no, no..." (somewhat dismissively, which of course I took as a challenge) Then he said, "You know the one made up by Dali, I was going to bring that one in." And of course I said, "That's Spellbound, with Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman."

So after a while, he had me pull up the video off youtube so we could watch the dream sequence. I'm really glad this is the dream sequence he picked, because it helps me to think in "dream-like" ways not just "dreams," the difference being that dreams can be linear and he wanted symbols, colors and abstract (or surreal). I'm also glad that once again Ingrid has come to my rescue.

So here's the dream sequence and I hope you like it.

Sorry my posts haven't been consistant and I still owe you Casablanca... school is insanely busy so I'm trying to find time to watch the movie and really give you quality posts.

If you're looking for a quick Ingrid fix, be sure to read her biographies, follow me on twitter (@alexis_morrell) and I'm also on Tumblr.

And The Winner Is...

TOM!

Tom created the "Broachin' On Ingrid" logo and with 50% of the votes, he wins Taschen's photo book of Ingrid!

Here is Tom's acceptance speech. Congrats again!

"Thanks Alexis! I had fun working on your banner. I don't know if I have a speech, but I could share some Ingrid love! She's one of my favorite actresses. Though I haven't seen any of her Swedish films yet, I have two favorite English-language performances of hers. The first is Casablanca, and the other is A Woman Called Golda, her final filmed performance. Also, I just watched For Whom the Bell Tolls last weekend and loved her in it. Can't wait to read the biography, it sounds like a good one. I want to learn more about her early career and life. And am following your blog! Love it!!" On a different note, I will be moving right after Christmas, from Maryland to California...because of this, my post about Casablanca may be REALLY delayed. I will hopefully do it sometime this week... but I apologize for this extreme delay. I have the first part written, and if you'd like the play by play in sections, let me know and I'll post it as such. Thanks for your support and submissions- they're all fantastic logos and will be used!

Casablanca: A History

On December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the play, Everybody Goes to Rick's, was purchased by Warner Bros. Producer Hal Wallis for (USD) $20,000. This was the most money ever spent on an un-produced play and would start on of the most perfectly timed cinematic events in film history.

The original story was discovered by Irene Lee, the story department head who felt like it had potential.

There is always talk about the way Casablanca was written, I'll try and bring forth what seems to be the way it ended up the way it did.

The title was changed from Everybody Goes to Rick's to Casablanca because it was catchy and relevant. People at the time would have seen the word "Casablanca" in the news and were mostly aware of where it is.

The original story break down was: "The heroine in the play was Lois, a wanton American and classic femme noire. Her earlier affair with Rick in Paris had broken up his marriage, and as the story opens she arrives in Casablanca as the mistress, not the wife, of Resistance leader Victor Laszlo." (The Genius of the System, 315)

Aeneas Mackenzie and Wally Kline worked on a treatment in January of 1942, but their rendition was changed because Wallis was unhappy with the Lois character. Wallis took the two writers off the film in February 1942 and hired Casey Robinson who was a notable melodrama writer. During this month, the Epstein twins (Philip and Julius) were officially hired for the job. It was also at this time that Louis Renault (Claude Rains' character) was reworked to be an ally of Rick's at certain points of the story.

Robinson received no formal recognition for his writing because he refused to share billing. He therefore was left out of the credits and eventually out of the Oscar run.

Robinson is who we can credit with changing Lois into Ilsa, the innocent European played by Ingrid Bergman.

Thanks to the trade of Warner Bros.' Olivia de Havilland for David O. Selznick's Ingrid Bergman, Ingrid was cast on April 24, 1942. Selznick, who thought it was good for Ingrid's image to be in a pro-United States, war-time film (due to "possibility of Sweden's alliance with Germany and Italy" [Notorious: the Ingrid Bergman Story, 122]) traded Ingrid for $125,000 of which she received her standard salary of $3500. (122) Humphrey Bogart also didn't profit much out of his starring in the film, only earning his Warner Bros.' allotted salary of $2,750.

Ingrid wrote her friend Ruth Roberts on the subject of being cast for Casablanca, "The picture is called Casablanca and I really don't know what it's all about." (122)

Ingrid joined the production (physically in Hollywood) on May 2, 1942.

Now, watch this video for Ingrid's take on how the script was done and how confused she was- then we can continue with the myths and different casting things that went on during the pre-through-post production times:

Though Ingrid felt like the writing was confusing as well as the direction, it wasn't uncommon in those times, as well as on some sets today, to have a lot of things changed or not finished. Though this movie was unique in the fact that they didn't know what ending they were going to use until they shot the version we see today. There were a lot of rewrites and a lot of undecided factors- including who Ilsa would follow in the end. Some books suggest that her performance was enhanced by the fact that just like her character, she was in an internal turmoil between the men.

The collaboration was that of an open one. Everyone contributed ideas. Some of the more famous lines like "Here's looking at you kid." were actually brought to the film or the writer's attention by Humphrey Bogart.

Back to the historical significance and wonderful timing:

• The movie's initiation was the day after "Pearl Harbor Day (Dec. 7, 1942)"
• The film was named for it's geographical location, much like the Hedy Lemar/Charles Boyer film Algiers which audiences would have related to the times and settings they already were familiar with (thanks to the news and reels).
• The film went into general release (January 1943) just as the Allies opened a summit conference in Casablanca. Adding to curiosity, relevance, ticket sales and popularity.
• Was seen as the first film to show "America's commitment to the war" (The Genius of the System, 317).
• In April of 1942 Howard Koch (one of the credited writers) was told to increase talk of Rick's political standings as well as occupation in Casablanca in the script. This was all at a time when it was a part of France but was infiltrated by all types of people (as seen in the film).
• Hal Wallis was going to make many retakes and shoot more scenes but was halted by various events including, not being able to reshoot with Ingrid who had cut her hair for For Whom The Bell Tolls and because when they were about to reshoot, the Allies landed in Casablanca for the North African campaign.
• This story was one of the first, if not the first, to re-write United States melodrama towards benefitting the war. The leads were to give up certain understood notions like ending up together, being only with one another and selfishly disregarding others for sacrificing self for the greater good (i.e. Ilsa goes off with Laszlo and Rick stays to fight for the country he initially couldn't care less about).

The film was released on November 26, 1942- which was a pushed premier date because it was another timing issue. They felt it would be better off considering the Allies were doing well and everyone was getting involved. Plus no one knew what could happen next...

Just a couple of other tid-bits:

• As Time Goes By was almost cut from the movie completely. They found that they'd have to reshoot all the scenes with it, including major bar scenes and scenes with Ingrid, so they left it in. It was an unexpected, now iconic, hit.
• Both in November of '42 and January '43 Casablanca was a hit. Ingrid never understood this until she saw the film later in life. She was admittedly focused on her next film.
• "Even when spoken by supporting actors, the dialog is filled with innuendoes, ambiguities and ironies. In fact, many of the men and women playing waiters, refugees or nameless customers were Europeans who had emigrated to Hollywood to escape Nazism. Neverously hopeful, coldly indifferent or patient and resigned the presence of minor characrters intensifies the oppressive atmosphere of the film"-Reclams Filmklassiker (100 Greatest Films of All Time, 210)
• Paul Henreid was not sure he wanted to play the 2nd man in this film because he was concerned about typecasting as well as playing second fiddle to the stars and not being remembered.
• On their relationship, Ingrid stated about Bogie that "I kissed Bogie, but I never got to know him." (Ingrid, 82)
• The line at the end of the film "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" was added in post production and was written by Hal Wallis. It is ranked #20 on the AFI's Top 100 Movie Quotes.

Casablanca. 1942. 102 Minutes. B&W. Drama.

OSCARS: Best Picture (Hal B. Wallis), Best Director (Michael Curtiz), Best Screenplay (Julius J. Epstein, Phillip G. Epstein and Howard Koch).

Kate Gabrielle's Gift to Me!

I recently ordered a moleskine journal from Kate Gabrielle's etsy page. I love the Eloise flapperdoodle cartoon. It's incredibly witty and cute. Well, a surprise was awaiting me today in a flapper-covered envelope...a drawing of Ingrid!

Here is a video showing you what I received. Thank you again Kate Gabrielle for your work and your blog, they're superiorly well done.

Follow KateGabrielle on all of her sites!

Silents and Talkies

KateGabrielle.com

@KateGabrielle on twitter

KateGabrielle on Etsy

(I'll post a transcript of what I say for any non-English speakers.)

So I want to show you that I got a new package today, and do you notice anything about the package? I think that it might be some flapperdoodles. That's right, flapperdoodles. Courtesy of KateGabrielle. And... So I purchased... this which is a moleskine, lined, um, journal and it has Eloise here, reading a book. Which makes me excited because I like to imagine myself looking like that. Um, not really. I don't look like that.

So, this is the cover and it has her logo on here... sorry everything is reversed...the logo is here. And on the back there's a cute little Eloise logo and with it came cards, lots of cards, and coupons, lots of coupons! for etsy

And a little surprise!

That's right, she drew a picture of Ingrid Bergman and sent it to me. I am very excited about this and I just want to say a big thanks to KateGabrielle. I love your work, I follow you on twitter, we talk, it's cool. I like it. And I'm not the only one who can vouch to say that you are awesome!

Your art is amazing. Keep it up. You have a great talent, don't waste it! So I'm going to get this a frame and I think I might take some stills of it as well and post it if that is okay with everyone. So that everybody can see how wonderful this is probably in better resolution than this... You can see the reflection of my computer.

Um, and now I'm going to go and work on the Casablanca blogs; which I'm going to show you...look. Proof! Proof that I'm really doing it.

Seriously, research, look at this. This is my pile, my pile of research. Right here. I'm working on it, alright. And then I'll do the play by play, which hopefully I can do tonight and just get it done and have a quality blog for everyone. So thanks for being patient and thanks for being a reader. Uh, I guess I'll see you on the other side!