Sometime in the sixties, a mythic event occurred in Harvard Square. At the Brattle Theatre, during a showing of “Casablanca,” the sound failed in the last scene, and the assembled worshipers, speaking as one, intoned the famous final line: “Louis, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” It’s just possible that the story is true. In the entire history of American cinema only a few other movies—“Gone With the Wind,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Godfather”—have been loved as much and as well as “Casablanca.” After seeing it on television for years, or suffering through a chewed-up print in a broken-seat revival house, moviegoers will have a chance to witness a freshly struck print this Wednesday, March 21st, on large screens. “Casablanca” is seventy years old. For one day, it will be playing all over the country. It’s worth going: the most familiar movie in the world is still fresh; it has so many little busy corners to nestle in.
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