Rationale for Study

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Casablanca is an enduring classic with memorable imagery, a famous musical score, and dialogue that is still quoted today. It is the story of Rick Blaine, a cynical world-weary ex-patriate who runs a nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco during the early stages of WWII. Despite the pressure he constantly receives from the local authorities, Rick's Cafe has become a haven for refugees seeking to obtain illicit letters that will help them escape to America. When Ilsa, Rick's former lover, shows up to his cafe with her husband one day, Rick faces a tough challenge which tests his loyalties and demands he pick a side. One of the most famous films of all time, Casablanca exemplifies the virtues of the Classical Hollywood narrative and style, and the collaborative nature of studio production.