Palymede-1

Let me start by saying this film is not meant to make you think long and hard about the problems of the world. It is a 'feel-good film'in the best sense of the phrase. The songs are, perhaps, not as instantly memorable as those from other Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, such as Oklahoma or The Sound Of Music, but they are wonderful in their own right. "It Might As Well Be Spring" won a well-deserved Oscar and "It's A Grand Night For Singing" will have you humming right along. Jeanne Crain, lovelier than ever, gives a top performance as the restless daughter, wanting something 'more' though with no idea what 'more' is. Dick Haymes tackles the role of the son handily, with some very fine singing to go with it. Fay Bainter, all warmth and kindliness in another of her patented mother roles makes you wish she were your mother. Charles Winninger, surely one of the best character actors ever, brings the necessary comic ability to the role of the father, completely preoccupied with his prize hog. Vivian Blaine plays the band singer who catches the son's attentions at the Fair and does some nice singing on her own and in a couple of duets. Dana Andrews, something of a shock in a musical plays Jeanne Crain's love interest and shares tremendous chemistry with her, making their love story believable. This film is a pretty Technicolor musical that will leave you with a song in your heart and a happy feeling to go with it.

Was there ever a better cast, better acted, better scripted film? The critic's can ooh and aah all they want over "Citizen Kane," this film outstrips it in every respect. Bogie was never better than as Rick, Ingrid Bergman glowed as Ilse, Paul Henreid had a part to sink his teeth into as Laszlo, Conrad Veidt was appropriately menacing as Maj. Strasser and Claude Rains was simply superb as Capt. Renault. The film is loaded with classic lines and characters. Even down to the minor players, it was perfectly cast. Thank heavens that the original casting fell through. George Raft, fine actor though he was, could not have played Rick, Hedy Lamarr would not have been able to pull off Ilse, and it would have been even more dreadful if Ronald Reagan and Ann Sheridan had been cast.As it is, "Casablanca" is the greatest film ever made.