06-03-2023, 09:26 AM
Round up the Usual Suspects: The Making of Casablanca
I'll say it. This book was a bit on the dull side. The book was full of details and behind the scenes anecdotes but all I could summon for enthusiasm was an okay. Hermetz does a good job tying the making of the movie to the events of World War 2 which surrounded the picture. There were fights with the government about what could be said. There were problems getting materials including film stock. Hermetz did deep dives on all the major players and their backgrounds. He touched on Jack Warner running the studio and fights with producer Hal Wallis.
But none of it really raised my excitement level. If you don't know any stories about Casablanca and want to learn more this would be the book. It just wasn't for me.
I'll say it. This book was a bit on the dull side. The book was full of details and behind the scenes anecdotes but all I could summon for enthusiasm was an okay. Hermetz does a good job tying the making of the movie to the events of World War 2 which surrounded the picture. There were fights with the government about what could be said. There were problems getting materials including film stock. Hermetz did deep dives on all the major players and their backgrounds. He touched on Jack Warner running the studio and fights with producer Hal Wallis.
But none of it really raised my excitement level. If you don't know any stories about Casablanca and want to learn more this would be the book. It just wasn't for me.
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm