(Warner Bros., 1942) One of the most beloved of American films, this captivating romantic adventure directed by Michael Curtiz is the story of world-weary ex-freedom fighter Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) who runs a nightclub in Casablanca during the early part of WWII. Despite pressure from the local authorities, led by the wily Capt. Renault (Claude Rains), Rick’s cafe has become a haven for refugees. One of those refugees is Rick’s true love who deserted him when the Nazis invaded Paris (Ingrid Bergman) and her Resistance leader husband (Paul Henreid). How the triangle would resolve itself wasn’t known even to cast members until the last days of filming. The film’s dialog and the timeliness of world events swirling around Casablanca, Morocco made the eventual Best Picture winner a favorite with wartime audiences. “Casablanca” was among the first movies added
to the National Film Registry in its inaugural year, 1989. This month marks the 75th anniversary of the film’s premiere. 7:30 p.m. Free, at the Library of Congress Packard Campus Theater located at 19053 Mt. Pony Rd. in Culpeper, VA. No reservations taken.