The Misquoted Line from Casablanca: 'Play it Again, Sam'
For most film aficionados, the phrase 'Play it again, Sam!' is synonymous with the timeless classic, Casablanca. What is striking, however, is that this specific wording does not appear in the film at all. Casablanca, released in 1942, has firmly established its status as an enduring cinematic masterpiece, evidenced by the numerous quotes that have etched themselves into the collective memory of audiences worldwide. Even individuals who have never watched the film can likely recognize iconic lines such as 'Here’s looking at you, kid!' and 'We’ll always have Paris.'
Among the many memorable quotes from director Michael Curtiz's film, the one often misquoted as 'Play it again, Sam' stands out. In reality, this phrase is never uttered in its entirety in the film, leading to widespread confusion. The actual scene takes place in Rick’s Café Américain, where the character Ilsa Lund, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, encounters the pianist Sam, played by Dooley Wilson. Here, she nostalgically requests him to play a specific song, 'As Time Goes By,' which connects her to Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart. The song symbolizes their passionate love affair in Paris a year earlier, before she left him behind during their planned escape from France—a decision that deeply hurt Rick and led him to forbid Sam from ever playing 'their' song again.
Despite Rick's prohibition, Ilsa pleads with Sam, saying, 'Play it once, Sam. For old times’ sake.' When Sam hesitates, aware of the ban, she insists, 'Play it, Sam. Play “As Time Goes By.”' The misquote that includes 'again' seems to have permeated popular culture, possibly influenced by Woody Allen's 1972 film, Play It Again, Sam, which serves as a tribute to the original yet misquotes it in the title.
The Legacy and Availability of Casablanca
The phenomenon of misquoting such a significant line can be attributed to the film's era, which predated the availability of VHS, DVDs, and streaming services. This lack of access may have contributed to viewers misremembering the line and spreading it inaccurately through word of mouth. Nevertheless, this misquotation does not diminish the historical significance of Casablanca, which won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Its impact on cinema remains indelible, despite the inaccuracies that may cloud its most famous lines.
For those looking to revisit this cinematic treasure, Casablanca is currently available for streaming through HBO Max or via the Amazon Prime channel HBO Max.
As reported by moviepilot.de.
