Jul 15, 2022·edited Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert Reich
it's christopher plummer singing edeiweiss in sound of music. it's tank man in beijing. it's the almost completely hopeless hope of one ordinary but unique person standing tall against being crushed and swallowed by the man-made machine of elitism, avarice, cynicism and hatred as that person reminds us of our shared humanity.
Jul 15, 2022·edited Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert Reich
Let's also salute the unforgettable line, "I'm shocked, shocked! to find that there's gambling going on in here." How many times have I said that to myself with every Trump era revelation of yet another scandal. As for this unforgettable scene, it is the encapsulation of human dignity in an anthem that ultimately drowns out those who have thrown their human dignity away. It's a scene that reminds me of words from Frank Capra’s "Why We Fight/Prelude to War": “For this is what we are fighting: freedom’s oldest enemy: the passion of the few to rule the many. This isn’t just a war. It is a free people’s life and death struggle against those who would put them back into slavery. That’s what’s at stake. It’s us or them."
I fell in love with "Casablanca" the first time I saw it. I think part of its appeal is the passion, as well as its spirit of equality (egalite as the French would say). Having Sam played by a Black actor (Dooley Wilson), and having him accepted by Rick, Elsa, Louis and the rest without even commenting on his race speaks volumes. I think it's time we rounded up the usual suspects, charged them, and put them behind bars!
I woke up this morning feeling feisty and rebellious. Maybe it's the full moon's influence and anger at what is happening in our country now. Seeing this post on our forum only strengthened the feelings I have about the fascism creeping around. The battle of the anthems was very close to what I'm feeling. We are occupied by the enemy, and will not take it lying down!
I agree -- I also am moved to tears "when the German occupants sing “Die Wacht am Rhein,” only to be drowned out by the French refugees singing “La Marseillaise.”" --> Even though I have watched Casablanca many times, this scene is a tribute to collective action (for good against evil) in the face of the very real possibility of personal harm.
This scene gave me chills. No doubt the romantic and emotional powerful music of the French anthem is a big part of it. Standing up in a direct way to tyranny also makes it powerful. The fascist culture tried to drown out the French democratic culture and lost also makes it powerful. The determined and heartfelt emotion of the French is powerful because it was real. The movie is about setting aside personal feelings for the more noble cause of the greater good is powerful in itself. The turnaround of a hardened capitalist into a patriot is very powerful as well. The turning of Vichy policeman into a patriot adds strength to the power of the film. The changing of hardened people into compassionate people makes me feel hopeful. Good triumphant over evil! Love this movie! It’s about love not hatred, about compassion instead of hardness and love of democratic albeit western religious views of the world.
It is not only good triumphing over evil but more so choosing the difficult right over the easy wrong. Not enough people, certainly those in power, seem willing to to do the latter yet we cannot have the former with out willing to put the good of the many before themselves. How many American men and women put the good of the country, Democracy over tyranny, and endure the the sacrifices need to do so? More than would today I fear.
I do not mean to look on look on that time with rose colored glasses, nostalgia is the greatest danger to learning from history, but American leadership really did choose to make our country an arsenal for Democracy.
To me it was the triumph of good over evil. I didn't see Casablanca when it was first released, I was only 9 years old in 1942. By the time I saw it the first time, we had already won WWII and fascism had been defeated. My parents subscribed to Life magazine, and the pictures taken in the concentration camps still haunt me today. I don't know when I first learned the tenets of fascism, it seems I've always known that the rich industrialists used the authoritarian Nazis, and their military to subject everyone who was not wealthy, white, and privileged, I don't know how any one with an ounce of intelligence and knowledge can possibly see any good in fascism, but obviously the republican party under the thrall of trumpism have fully embraced fascism and all its evil
You are right on the mark in my opinion! What a wonderful lecture. The corporations in this country are enabling these right wing extremists to grow with their funding! AT&T gave a right wing group $150 million dollars. This is appalling.
Only three of the credited actors were born in the US. The rest including extras and the director were immigrants and many were war refugees. The emotion was genuine and earned.
Casablanca, one of the best films ever made. Gorgeous cinematography. The dueling anthems get me every time! I guess it’s the patriotic, anti-fascist spirit. Not to be a party pooper, but do have 1 problem w/this fine film. When Ilsa enters Rick’s the 1st time she says “Who’s the ‘boy’ playing piano?” Boy, Sam, a grown man! It’s hard to imagine that team not knowing better then. Harder yet the real Sam had to hear that. Of course black troops fought their hearts out in WWll, came back to racism. I still love the film, but slightly less now.
I just recently watch Casa Blanca - again. What makes the scene so powerful? Passion! The passion and loyalty one has for one's country and what that stands for and means to those who believe in what that country represents.
it's christopher plummer singing edeiweiss in sound of music. it's tank man in beijing. it's the almost completely hopeless hope of one ordinary but unique person standing tall against being crushed and swallowed by the man-made machine of elitism, avarice, cynicism and hatred as that person reminds us of our shared humanity.
Let's also salute the unforgettable line, "I'm shocked, shocked! to find that there's gambling going on in here." How many times have I said that to myself with every Trump era revelation of yet another scandal. As for this unforgettable scene, it is the encapsulation of human dignity in an anthem that ultimately drowns out those who have thrown their human dignity away. It's a scene that reminds me of words from Frank Capra’s "Why We Fight/Prelude to War": “For this is what we are fighting: freedom’s oldest enemy: the passion of the few to rule the many. This isn’t just a war. It is a free people’s life and death struggle against those who would put them back into slavery. That’s what’s at stake. It’s us or them."
I fell in love with "Casablanca" the first time I saw it. I think part of its appeal is the passion, as well as its spirit of equality (egalite as the French would say). Having Sam played by a Black actor (Dooley Wilson), and having him accepted by Rick, Elsa, Louis and the rest without even commenting on his race speaks volumes. I think it's time we rounded up the usual suspects, charged them, and put them behind bars!
Perhaps it reminds us to never be silent when faced with such demonstrations of illegally seized power.
I woke up this morning feeling feisty and rebellious. Maybe it's the full moon's influence and anger at what is happening in our country now. Seeing this post on our forum only strengthened the feelings I have about the fascism creeping around. The battle of the anthems was very close to what I'm feeling. We are occupied by the enemy, and will not take it lying down!
I agree -- I also am moved to tears "when the German occupants sing “Die Wacht am Rhein,” only to be drowned out by the French refugees singing “La Marseillaise.”" --> Even though I have watched Casablanca many times, this scene is a tribute to collective action (for good against evil) in the face of the very real possibility of personal harm.
This scene gave me chills. No doubt the romantic and emotional powerful music of the French anthem is a big part of it. Standing up in a direct way to tyranny also makes it powerful. The fascist culture tried to drown out the French democratic culture and lost also makes it powerful. The determined and heartfelt emotion of the French is powerful because it was real. The movie is about setting aside personal feelings for the more noble cause of the greater good is powerful in itself. The turnaround of a hardened capitalist into a patriot is very powerful as well. The turning of Vichy policeman into a patriot adds strength to the power of the film. The changing of hardened people into compassionate people makes me feel hopeful. Good triumphant over evil! Love this movie! It’s about love not hatred, about compassion instead of hardness and love of democratic albeit western religious views of the world.
It is not only good triumphing over evil but more so choosing the difficult right over the easy wrong. Not enough people, certainly those in power, seem willing to to do the latter yet we cannot have the former with out willing to put the good of the many before themselves. How many American men and women put the good of the country, Democracy over tyranny, and endure the the sacrifices need to do so? More than would today I fear.
I do not mean to look on look on that time with rose colored glasses, nostalgia is the greatest danger to learning from history, but American leadership really did choose to make our country an arsenal for Democracy.
To me it was the triumph of good over evil. I didn't see Casablanca when it was first released, I was only 9 years old in 1942. By the time I saw it the first time, we had already won WWII and fascism had been defeated. My parents subscribed to Life magazine, and the pictures taken in the concentration camps still haunt me today. I don't know when I first learned the tenets of fascism, it seems I've always known that the rich industrialists used the authoritarian Nazis, and their military to subject everyone who was not wealthy, white, and privileged, I don't know how any one with an ounce of intelligence and knowledge can possibly see any good in fascism, but obviously the republican party under the thrall of trumpism have fully embraced fascism and all its evil
Professor Reich,
You are right on the mark in my opinion! What a wonderful lecture. The corporations in this country are enabling these right wing extremists to grow with their funding! AT&T gave a right wing group $150 million dollars. This is appalling.
Only three of the credited actors were born in the US. The rest including extras and the director were immigrants and many were war refugees. The emotion was genuine and earned.
The actors were real refugees.
Casablanca, one of the best films ever made. Gorgeous cinematography. The dueling anthems get me every time! I guess it’s the patriotic, anti-fascist spirit. Not to be a party pooper, but do have 1 problem w/this fine film. When Ilsa enters Rick’s the 1st time she says “Who’s the ‘boy’ playing piano?” Boy, Sam, a grown man! It’s hard to imagine that team not knowing better then. Harder yet the real Sam had to hear that. Of course black troops fought their hearts out in WWll, came back to racism. I still love the film, but slightly less now.
I just recently watch Casa Blanca - again. What makes the scene so powerful? Passion! The passion and loyalty one has for one's country and what that stands for and means to those who believe in what that country represents.
EIGHTY years after its release, Dr. Reich! EIGHTY!!! ;-)
Couldn’t agree more, right to the heart