“Play It Again Sam”

“Despite being one of the film’s most oft-quoted lines, the words “Play it again, Sam” are never said in Casablanca.”

Interesting Facts goes on to tell us, “It’s been called “probably the most misquoted line in cinema history”, not least because it’s usually attributed to the wrong character. The 1942 film’s protagonist, conflicted Morocco nightclub owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), is often imagined as the one saying the line, even though the closest equivalent —“Play it, Sam” — is actually said by Rick’s endangered ex, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman).

(Rick does later instruct Sam, the piano player in question, to “play it,” however.)

For all that, Casablanca, a noir classic set in WWII, still has many other memorable lines, including six on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years … 100 Movie Quotes list, the most of any film. (That includes “Here’s looking at you, kid” and “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”)

“Of course, Casablanca is far from the only film to be misquoted.  Dorothy never actually says “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore” in The Wizard of Oz, but rather “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas” anymore. Similarly, Darth Vader never says “Luke, I am your father” in The Empire Strikes Back. The actual line to his son is “No, I am your father.”

It’s true, we hear something and we repeat it the way we think it was said and we have misheard it! Happens to all of us, we feel sure!

Have a wonderful weekend, dear chums! Make it so!