Casablancais regarded as one of the best films in history, and for good reason. It’s contributed several iconic quotes, such as “We’ll always have Paris,” “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” and “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world she walks into mine.” But what if we told you that one famous line was not even in the script?
Rick Blaine’s “Here’s looking at you, kid,” was not in the original script. It was a casual, offhanded remarkadded by Humphrey Bogartin between takes. The fact that an ad-lib found a place in film history speaks to the power ofCasablancaand its place in culture. “Here’s looking at you, kid,” isn’t even the only example of this, as some other famous film lines were never planned to be used. And to think, most ofCasablanca’s original crew didn’t think that it had a chance at standing out, much less becoming so beloved. In the more than 80 years since its release,Casablancahas come to be regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. Let’s look at how the famous line came to be, and how some other big-name hits ad-libbed their best lines too.
The Plot of ‘Casablanca’
Most people familiar withclassical Hollywood cinemahave an understanding ofCasablanca. But just in case you’ve missed out over the last eight decades, here’s a quick refresher. It centers on Rick Blaine (Bogart), an American who owns a nightclub in the town of Casablanca, Morocco in December 1941. The nightclub attracts patrons from both sides of World War II, as well as refugees trying to reach the then-neutral United States. One day, Rick’s former lover Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) visits the club with her husband, Czechoslovakian Resistance leader Victor Laszlo.
He and Ilsa need to escape using letters that allow them to freely travel around occupied Europe, and Rick was given those letters just before they arrived. Rick refuses to sell them the letters due to Ilsa having left him when they were in Paris together. Germans come to investigate the club, and Ilsa reveals she left Rick to take care of her sick husband. Rick questions his resentment, and whether he should really help Ilsa and Laszlo escape.
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Despite its stacked cast and crew, no one who worked onCasablancathought it would stand out from the pack. Hitting theaters in November 1942, its release was moved up significantly to coincide with a real-life Allied invasion of North Africa.Casablancawas a moderate success in its original run, grossing between $3 and $6 million dollars. Through the years, it grew into one of the most acclaimed movies of all time. Today, many critics regard it as thebest war movie of all time.
You could likely fill out an “iconic film quotes” list with just entries fromCasablanca. “Here’s looking at you, kid,” is undoubtedly near the top. But believe it or not, that quote was never in the original script. Star Humphrey Bogart reportedly improvised it on the spot.
The Iconic Improvisation
The quote in question was said four times throughout the film. But the most well-known usage comes in at the end, when Ilsa prepares to escape on a plane with Laszlo. Rick tells her that he’s not joining her. She wants to stay behind with him, but he tells her she’ll regret it forever if she does. “Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.” Ilsa asks what will happen to them, and Rick replies with the just-as-famous “We’ll always have Paris.” Rick’s final line to Ilsa is, “Here’s looking at you, kid,” signifying the final goodbye and the closure of that chapter of their lives.
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The quote and its meaning have been studied relentlessly over the years. What does it mean? Why does Rick say it that way? What’s next for them? All that for something made up on the spot. Bogart reportedlyfirst used the lineon Bergman when they were out of character, and she was playing poker with her hairdresser and language coach in between takes. He casually made the choice to bring the line into the story, and the rest is history. The actual quote, “Here’s looking at you,” dates to long before the film. It’s believed to have originated as a toast or salute to someone, though everyone knows it today fromCasablanca.
The line isn’t alone with its ad-libbed place in history. “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” fromJawswas reportedly used whenever a problem needing to be dealt with arose on set. Jack Nicholson improvised “Here’s Johnny” inThe Shining, and Stanley Kubrick was so impressed that he agreed to keep it in. The point is, sometimes deviating from a script can lead to unintended yet welcome results. Or inCasablanca’s case, a spot infilm quote history.
Casablancais available to stream on Max.
Casablanca
