10 Comments
User's avatar
Bobby Artwood's avatar

Casablanca was banned on March 19, 1942, for infringing on the Emergency Powers Order (EPO), preserving wartime neutrality in the way it portrayed Vichy France and Nazi Germany in a "sinister light."

After its 1942 ban, Casablanca was later passed with cuts on June 15, 1945, after the Emergency Powers Order (EPO) was lifted – this time the cuts were to dialogue between Rick and Ilsa referring to their love affair. It seemed even talking about affairs was forbidden.

[So they didn’t have Paris?]

Expand full comment
JOHN SPRITZLER's avatar

Interesting

Expand full comment
JAS's avatar

Thanks John. You can identify the moment of Rick's redemtion when he nods to the band to strike up the Marseillaise. Also the Western, Shane was of a similar nature when he urges the homesteaders to resist the ranchers.

Expand full comment
JOHN SPRITZLER's avatar

The Western, Valdez Is Coming, is another great film, with multiple redemptions.

Expand full comment
JAS's avatar

Just ordered. Will watch tonight.

Expand full comment
JOHN SPRITZLER's avatar

I’ll have to watch Shane. Haven’t yet.

Expand full comment
JAS's avatar

Like others, I have watched Shane many, many times. Treat yourself to an absolute classic.

Expand full comment
JAS's avatar

Much like High Noon and the Man from Laramie.

Expand full comment
Emanuel Pastreich's avatar

Excellent review of a movie I also greatly value....you left out the greatest line, which I often use, "This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship" That refers to the potential to surmount any number of contradictions when committed to a common cause. The biggest problem, which I forget to address in my talk, is that many assume one must make all sorts of compromises in order to form an inclusive common front. It is the complete opposite. One should be absolutely uncompromising about one's position, but willing to work with others on those things one has in common, and only on those things. Those who are successful in revolution are those who are absolutely unwilling to compromise. We may seem like the outsiders now, but in the next year, the situation will alter radically.

Expand full comment
JOHN SPRITZLER's avatar

You make an important point indeed.

Expand full comment