Monday, January 1, 2007

Casablanca Quiz

I mentioned last week that my Big Sister (who's 5'4'') hadn't seen some movies that I thought she should have seen. The list included "It's a Wonderful Life," "A Christmas Story," "The Princess Bride" and "Casablanca."

Well, in an attempt to rectify that horrible situation, I forced her to watch one of those: "The Princess Bride." Actually, I forced her to watch another film, but one that wasn't on the list: the Buster Keaton 1927 classic, "The General."

She didn't care for "The Princess Bride," which actually surprised me somewhat. She didn't hate it, but she didn't particularly care for it, either.

"The General," however, she did like. She probably wouldn't watch it again, but she enjoyed it. Part of the reason may have been its plot involving an event in Georgia history (she's an educator, you see). Part may have been some of the special effects ... more accurately, the stunts. Which had worried me, because she said she doesn't care for Buster Keaton. But I happen to like Buster Keaton.

We never got around to watching "Casablanca," though. You see, she doesn't like Humphrey Bogart, either. So it appeared she wasn't going to watch it. We talked about it for a little bit, with me saying that I thought it was the best American film of all time. Most polls list it behind "Citizen Kane," but I think it's tops.

Anyway, when she found out it won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1943, she was intrigued. So, I left her the film, with the expectation she'd watch it.

She might. But she might not. But I'll be able to tell.

Here's a quiz about "Casablanca" that she'll only be able to answer it if she watches. Or asks someone. But she wouldn't go through the trouble of finding someone who knows the movie ... or doing the Internet research to find the answers. She'd watch it to answer the questions.

So, if she answers these questions, we'll know she watched the movie. If not ... well, she misses out on a great film.
  1. Why did Rick tell Capt. Renault he came to Casablanca?
  2. What did Rick tell Maj. Strasser when the latter asked his nationality?
  3. What color did Ilsa wear that day in Paris?
  4. Who wore grey?
  5. What about Ugarte did Rick object?
  6. Why was Capt. Renault unconcerned about the gun pointed at his heart?
  7. Who is Ferrari going to pay for the cigarettes?
  8. What were Capt. Renault's instructions following Maj. Strasser's killing?
  9. What did Capt. Renault say he was shocked (shocked!) to discover happening at Rick's?
  10. What kind of man is Capt. Renault?
  11. What watch?
  12. How much did Ilsa offer Rick for his thoughts?
  13. If it's December 1941 in Casablanca, what time is it in New York?
  14. Where did Rick hide the letters of transit?

If you can answer them without re-watching the film, you probably really like the film. And if you can't answer those questions, watch the film again.

Anyway, I'm curious if my Big Sister (who's 5'4'') will be able to answer them all.

My money's on "no."

    10 comments:

    1. Well I hate the movies "Its a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story". I've see "Casablanca" and as for the little girl's movie "A Princess Bride" no thanks. I'm with Big Sister ... "A Princess Bride" is not a bonafide "chick-flick" it's a wooey gooey kids movie!!! :D

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    2. Big sister who is 5'4" might like North by Northwest. This big sister (I'm 5'2") thinks it's one of the best.

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    3. Damn basil! I can't answer those questions and I HAVE SEEN the movie! LOL

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    4. I'm with c.a. Marks, I've seen the movie (and own it) but can't recall the answers to those questions. North by Northwest is another classic, but if we are going for Cary Grant movies, nothing beats Gunga Din. And since your sister is an educator, she might actually like the little bit of Indian history that is in it.

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    5. I did watch the movie and actually enjoyed it, but I can't answer most of the questions...those are nitpicky guy questions.

      Rick said he was from New York, but I don't remember what nationality. I don't know what color Ilsa wore..the film was in black and white, so everybody wore grey. Ferrari (the guy who owned the Blue Parrot) will pay himself since he was buying Rick's. He said something about having to keep a couple of other people on besides Sam, and he would pay Sam 25% even though Rick only paid 10% because Sam deserved 25%. And I know why Victor was so dangerous..after they sang to drown out the Germans. He really was a charismatic fellow. The captain and Rick were a lot alike. I can't remember why Rick threatened him with the gun and why he knew Rick wouldn't shoot him. The letters were in Sam's piano which the Captain overlooked. He made a big mess to make it look good to the Germans, too.

      I could answer girl questions, I'll bet. For instance, I know why Ilsa didn't meet Rick at the train station just before 5, and I just loved Rick for being a sentimentalist after all and pulling the switcheroo at the end, and for his telling Victor he pretended with Ilsa at the end. Rick and Ilsa will always have Paris...even though they lost it, they got it back that last night.

      I'll watch it again one day...but I won't watch it just to answer these questions.

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    6. Okay, Sis, here's the rest of the answers.

      1. Why did Rick tell Capt. Renault he came to Casablanca?
      Captain Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
      Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
      Captain Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.
      Rick: I was misinformed.

      2. What did Rick tell Maj. Strasser when the latter asked his nationality?
      Major Strasser: What is your nationality?
      Rick: I'm a drunkard.

      3. What color did Ilsa wear that day in Paris?
      4. Who wore grey?
      Ilsa: I wasn't sure you were the same. Let's see, the last time we met...
      Rick: Was La Belle Aurore.
      Ilsa: How nice, you remembered. But of course, that was the day the Germans marched into Paris.
      Rick: Not an easy day to forget.
      Ilsa: No.
      Rick: I remember every detail. The Germans wore gray, you wore blue.

      5. What about Ugarte did Rick object?
      Ugarte: Rick, think of all the poor devils who can't meet Renault's price. I get it for them for half. Is that so... parasitic?
      Rick: I don't mind a parasite. I object to a cut-rate one.

      6. Why was Capt. Renault unconcerned about the gun pointed at his heart?
      Rick: And remember, this gun is pointed right at your heart.
      Captain Renault: That is my least vulnerable spot.

      7. Who is Ferrari going to pay for the cigarettes?
      As you said, since the Blue Parrot owed Rick's the cigarettes, when Ferrari bought Rick's, he said he'd remember to pay himself for them.

      8. What were Capt. Renault's instructions following Maj. Strasser's killing?
      Captain Renault: Major Strasser has been shot. (looks at Rick, pauses, then looks back at his men) Round up the usual suspects.

      9. What did Capt. Renault say he was shocked (shocked!) to discover happening at Rick's?
      Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
      Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
      Croupier: (to Renault) Your winnings, sir.
      Captain Renault: Oh, thank you very much.

      10. What kind of man is Capt. Renault?
      Annina: (Renault had promised to assist her and her husband in return for sex) Monsieur Rick, what kind of a man is Captain Renault?
      Rick: Oh, he's just like any other man, only more so.

      11. What watch?
      Husband: Come sit down. Have a brandy with us.
      Wife: To celebrate our leaving for America tomorrow.
      Carl: Oh, thank you very much. I thought you would ask me, so I brought the good brandy. And ... a third glass!
      Wife: At last the day is came!
      Husband: Mareichtag and I are speaking nothing but English now.
      Wife: So we should feel at home when we get to America.
      Carl: Very nice idea, mm-hmm.
      Husband: To America!
      Wife: To America!
      Carl: To America!
      Husband: Liebchen ... sweetnessheart, what watch?
      Wife: Ten watch.
      Husband: Such much?
      Carl: You will get along beautiful in America.

      12. How much did Ilsa offer Rick for his thoughts?
      Ilsa: A franc for your thoughts.
      Rick: In America they'd bring only a penny, and, huh, I guess that's about all they're worth.

      13. If it's December 1941 in Casablanca, what time is it in New York?
      Rick: If it's December 1941 in Casablanca, what time is it in New York?
      Sam: My watch stopped.

      14. Where did Rick hide the letters of transit?
      As you said, in the piano.

      Now that you know, you will notice them next time you watch the film. In about two weeks, I suspect.

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    7. Oh, I loved the couple who were going to America and couldn't speak English well... I just don't remember details. I remember most all of these scenes, though. Now...how on earth did you get the transcript of... oh, never mind...

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    8. Oh, if I only did have a transcript...

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    9. The Mean Sister (who is 5'6")January 8, 2007 at 3:29 PM

      Hey basil,

      Thank you for this afternoon and everything else. It really meant a lot to me! Here is the link for the transcript...just didn't feel like being mean today.

      http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/casablanca.pdf

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