Response To Casablanca

Jimmy Gorman
1206 Wellesley ct
Lower Gwynedd, PA
19002
OWI

Dear Warner Brothers Pictures,
My name is Jimmy Gorman with the Motion Picture Bureau of the OWI. I am glad to be the one to address you about your latest movie called Casablanca. I would like to start by congratulating you on the approval of your film. We will definitely be releasing it to the public soon. I very much enjoyed the story as well as some of your styles and techniques. I analyzed it myself a picked up on some profound symbolism and positive propaganda throughout the film. I have to say that I am very impressed with how you were able to use your characters as symbols that were significant to World War II. We appreciate that you were able to successfully
use pro-American messages to support our country and helping Americans better understand World War II.

One of the most important things I realized about the film was that Rick represented United States during World War II. I first saw signs of this when in the beginning of the movie; Rick would never have a drink or dine with a customer which shows that he was very isolated just like our country was at the beginning of the war to stay out of foreign problems. Also, I like how Rick mentions a few times that he would not go out of his way for anybody because it is another good representation of our country at the beginning of the war. We did not go out of our way for any country, even allies. We had no desire to be dragged into the war at all and we had the right to feel that way.

Obviously we were pulled into the war eventually by that one infamous event that everybody in the country knows about.
The Pearl Harbor bombing was such a huge part of our role in World War II, and since Rick represents America, I knew he would have his own Pearl Harbor. Sure enough, Ilsa came back into Rick’s life and was his very own “Pearl Harbor”. It was very easy to pick up on this symbolism because Rick saw her and his attitude completely changed. This was another one of the best representations in the movie. It worked so well because it was so similar to what happened to our country and how we handled the situation afterward. Rick sat down with Ilsa and Victor to have a drink which he had never done before. To me this was a sign that Rick was suddenly changing his ways. This single event changed everything, just like the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This help the audience understand the situation a little
better.

Most of the symbols I picked up on were characters that represented certain countries or events, but I also saw how you slipped in some sentences here and there that had a message to the audience within them.
Especially in the beginning of the movie when Major Strasser is first introduced. He mentions something about Germans will have to get used to all climates. I noticed this was a something you did to get a message across to your viewers because Major Strasser was hinting that Germany is on their path to taking over the world. Also, when Major Strasser goes to Rick’s restaurant, Captain Renault told a waiter to get the Major a good table. The Waiter replies “I have already given him the best, knowing he is German and would take it anyway.” I think I picked up on what you were doing here. It seemed like it was another message saying that Germany is very powerful and if are not stopped will take everything in their path. These were great ways on trying to get the public more interested in the
war.

I would like to say congratulations on your movie being a success and being approved. I was overall very impressed and pleased with your movie. It will be very popular throughout our country. Once again what really made me approve this movie is because of the small messages embodied in your characters, plot and setting and how you got those messages across. The propaganda side to the movie was well done. Once again I congratulate you on your movies succsess
Sincerely,
Jimmy Gorman