Tuesday 10 April 2018

LEGENDARY CURTIZ & HIS 'CASABLANCA'! 

- Manoj Kulkarni

Great Hungarian/American Filmmaker Michael Curtiz!

Today is Death Anniversary of renowned Hungarian/American Filmmaker Michael Curtiz!
And his famous masterpiece 'Casablanca' completed 75 years!!
Michael Curtiz directing his masterpiece 'Casablanca' (1942).

Started making classic films in Europe from silent era..Michael Curtiz came in Hollywood when 'Warner Bros.' invited him in 1926. With huge experience (earlier directing 64 films) he boosted this production company in that golden age of studio system!
Michael Curtiz's great film 'This is the Army's (1943) climax scene!



Then Curtiz directed 102 films during his career in Hollywood. Actors like James Cagney won 'Oscar's under his direction. And famous actresses like Doris Day made their screen debut with his films! In Hollywood he introduced unique visual style with using artistic lighting and unusual camera angles! He was versatile and handled different genres from romantic, musical to film noir & western!
Michael Curtiz's 'Oscar' winner film 'We Are No Angels' (1955).



His classic moves includes ..critically acclaimed 'Captain Blood', (1935), popular 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938), novel base 'The Sea Wolf'' (1941), musical 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' (1942), satire 'This is the Army' (1943), Danny Kaye acted 'White Christmas' (1954) & 'We're No Angels' (1955) for which he won the 'Best Director' Oscar!
James Cagney & Joan Leslie in
Curtiz's 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' (1942).

In this his best known is romantic 'Casablanca' (1942) in which beautiful Ingrid Bergman acted with Humphrey Bogart! On the backdrop of World War II this film was based on the play written by Murray Burnet & Joan Alison! This A-list film established stars and A-rate writers in Hollywood! With 'Best Picture' Curtiz won 'Best Director' Oscar for this film!

Homage to this great filmmaker & Tribute to his masterpiece!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti']
   [Pune, India]

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