"Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it."---George Santayana.
Warner Bros. had tried to adapt Casablanca as part of its 1955 Warner Bros. Presents anthology series, but pulled the plug early. The studio wanted a rising star, Anthony Quinn, to assume the role of Rick, originated in the feature film version by Humphrey Bogart. However, Jack Warner was unwilling to close the deal, and Charles McGraw wound up with the role, and the series flatlined.
28 years later, Warners tried again, this time teaming with veteran producer David Wolper to develop a new version of Casablanca for NBC, with David Soul (ex-Starsky & Hutch, Here Come The Brides) as Rick. The end result was even worse, as only five episodes aired. With the original film airing on cable with some frequency, viewers could only accept Bogart as Rick.
Not only that, but while the 1955 version was set during the Cold War, the 1983 series was set up as a prequel to the movie. Go figure.
I never saw the show, so there won't be a rating. We'll leave you with the show intro, including a brilliant rendition of "As Time Goes By", performed by Scatman Crothers (ex-Chico & The Man), who stepped into the role of Sam, originated by Dooley Wilson.
I've seen the movie, so I can understand why viewers couldn't accept either small screen adaptation.
2 comments:
Despite what looks like a promising cast (Ray Liotta!!), I don't think the movie's premise could work for a series. The movie was definitive and gave closure in the most important aspects. We know Rick won't get to keep his old flame, the Germans will take over most French colonies, Rick himself would probably be shot eventually by the Nazis for all the work he did helping Victor Lazlo escape.
If it had been set elsewhere, with different characters and no connection to the film, maybe - although Tales of the Gold Monkey didn't do as well as it should have.
And you'd think Warners would've figured that out the first time......
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