Here's Looking at You, Kid!

Casablanca is celebrating its 70th Anniversary today, and I want to thank author Tom Barnes, film historian James Colt Harrison and award-winning blogger Fausta Rodríguez Wertz for joining Nikki Starr and me on Movie Addict Headquarters yesterday to talk about this wonderful film. It was a fun show – one filled with fascinating information about this enduring Hollywood classic. We had a great time hearing about Tom’s Casablanca Film Trivia book and discussing our favorite performances, scenes and quotes from the 1944 Oscar-winning motion picture.

Kudos also to Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video for giving movie fans a chance to see Casablanca on the big screen in select theaters today. Tickets are available online at Fathom Events (http://www.fathomevents.com/).

If you would like to hear the Movie Addict Headquarters Casablanca podcast, please click on www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters.

Here's Looking at You, Kid

In connection with this week’s Movie Addict Headquarters show about Ingrid Bergman, I conducted a survey via e-mail and Facebook to find out which Bergman film is the most popular.

Question: What is your favorite Ingrid Bergman film/performance and why?

Response Results:

40% CASABLANCA

20% NOTORIOUS

15% GASLIGHT

10% MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

5% each: FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, SPELLBOUND, AUTUMN SONATA, and TV’s A WOMAN CALLED GOLDA.

"Casablanca" responses were the most passionate. For example, here’s film critic Phil Hall’s reply:

The answer is easy: CASABLANCA. The entire film is based on Bergman’s character—she is the woman who drives Humphrey Bogart and Paul Henried to go above and beyond what the average man would do under extraordinary circumstances. In order to inspire such actions, you would need a performer who goes far beyond physical beauty into emotional beauty, and that’s where Bergman’s performance shines. I would go so far to say that she was among the greatest performers in the history of film acting.

Thanks to everyone who particpated in our Ingrid Bergman survey.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters