Casablanca was a critical and popular success when it was released in —, and many decades later it is still loved and respected. In a similar BBC poll from it had dropped to number 9, just behind Psycho , but that is still a remarkable result for a medium budget, black-and-white film from the s.
It is also a mythic and near-universal story, as proposed by Umberto Eco see Myth and Psychoanalysis , among others.
The enduring fascination with Casablanca is probably based on its many appeals—one appeal may fade but others come to the fore. It is at once a fine example of Hollywood wartime propaganda, a dark and exotic film noir, a compassionate film about refugees, a classic love story involving two major stars, a film that more than any other established Bogart as an existential hero, a film of mythic and psychological depth, and a demonstration of the excellent craftsmanship of the Hollywood studio period c.
The production history of Casablanca has probably been analyzed more than any other Hollywood film. The lengthy debate has helped us understand the complexities and capabilities of the Hollywood studio system. The production history of Casablanca is covered in great detail by both archival and secondary sources.
Archives at the University of Southern California, which includes script drafts, memos, daily production reports, contract information, and publicity.
