Warner Brothers has announced a forthcoming edition of Casablanca on Blu-Ray to be released on 2nd December 2008
It is interesting how legacy title such as Casablanca continue to make money for studios such as Warner Bros. When films were released during the 20s and 30s it was not conceivable that these films could have a life beyond their initial release. At which point did studios suddenly understand that their giant back catalogues could actually continue to work for them? Did this occur during the late 1970s with the dawn of video or was it earlier?
It wouldn’t surprise me if many of you not only have video and DVD copies of the same film, but have even paid to see them in the cinema several times.
The following are the extras slated for the Blu-Ray release:
Disc 1
• Behind the Story
◦ Introduction by Lauren Bacall
◦ Commentary by film critic Roger Ebert
◦ Commentary by film historian/author Rudy Behlmer
◦ 1988 TCM special: Bacall on Bogart [Laurel Bacall’s candid and moving reminiscences about her husband’s life and career]
◦ You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca [Bacall hosts this spellbinding backstage tour]
◦ As Time Goes By: The Children Remember [Stephen Bogart and Pia Lindstrom remember their parents, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman]
◦ Production history gallery
• Additional Footage
◦ Deleted scenes
◦ Outtakes
◦ Who Holds Tomorrow? Premiere episode from the 1955 Warner Bros. Presents series, starring Charles McGraw
◦ 1995 WB Cartoon: Carrotblanca
• Audio
◦ Scoring Stage Sessions
◦ Knock on Wood Alternate Version, Wilson with Piano
◦ As Time Goes By Part One Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
◦ As Time Goes By Part One Film Version, Wilson with Piano
◦ Rick Sees Ilsa Instrumental Medley
◦ As Time Goes By Part Two Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
◦ As Time Goes By Part Two Film Version, Wilson with Piano
◦ At La Belle Aurore Instrumental Medley
◦ Dat’s What Noah Done Outtake, Wilson with Piano
◦ April 26,1943 Screen Guild Players Radio Broadcast
• Trailers
◦ Theatrical trailer
◦ 1992 re-release trailer
Disc 2
◦ 1993 documentary: Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul
The Classic Film Show 
2 comments
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November 26, 2008 at 12:38 am
Ben
Hi,
I saw Casablanca tonight. You’ll be surprised, and I hope not too dismayed, to hear that it’s the first time I’ve seen the film in about 10 years- at least. So most of it was pretty new to me, since I didn’t understand the politics back then..
What a great film, truly incredible.. And I watched it on an old crackly videotape- on Blu-Ray it would be lovely!
November 26, 2008 at 12:48 am
Christian Hayes
The politics in Casablanca is pretty complex and every time I revisit it I pick up on another detail that I missed the last time round.
It’s an interesting film because it has become so revered, almost plucked singularly out of all the films of the period. It is held up as a romance, and while of course there’s that strong romantic element, it’s also dark, complex and political – and that side of it is often forgotten.
My favourite moment is perhaps when Rick has stayed up late after his bar has shut, and Sam insists on keeping him company. It’s the first time you see the cracks in his hardboiled persona as he slams the table and you see his eyes glint in the light. It’s also indeed the first time in Bogart’s career that his sensitive side comes through, building upon the sympathetic portrayal of a wisened old gangster in High Sierra.
I have seen it on the big screen a long time ago but am still waiting to watch it on Blu-Ray, which should be pretty special.