The University Activities Commission is showing the classic 1942 Academy award winning film, “Casablanca,” at 6 and 8:30 p.m. tonight through Sunday in the Davies Theatre.
This timeless film, directed by Michael Curtiz, stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. After Germany took over mainland France in the 1940s, refugees from across Europe travelled to Casablanca to escape the Nazis and find visas to America.
| Casablanca Time: 6 and 8:30 p.m. Date: Today through Sunday Place: Davies Theatre Cost: $2 for IFS members and UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff, $1 for students. |
The place to be in Casablanca is Rick’s Caf American, which is operated by a cynical American expatriate Richard Blaine (Bogart).
One night Blaine obtains two stolen letters of transit, which would allow two refugees to leave Casablanca. The letters are wanted by the German authorities and the prefect of police, Capt. Louis Renault (Claude Rains).
Renault informs Blaine that European Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) is in town and will do anything to get to America, but he is warned not to interfere.
Blaine is not surprised when Laszlo comes to Rick’s Caf American, but he does not expect Laszlo to walk through the door with the love of Blaine’s life, Ilsa Lund (Bergman), a woman who abandoned him without explanation.
Laszlo learns that Blaine is able to help him and Lund get to America, if Blaine is willing.
The movie is 102 minutes long, black-and-white and rated PG. Admission is $2 for International Film Society members and faculty and staff, and $1 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the University Service Center, (715) 836-3727, in Davies Center’s east lobby.
– Spectator staff
