Richard "Rick" Blaine is a character from the film Casablanca (1942).
History[]
Biography[]
Background[]
Rick Blaine was an American man during the early half of the 20th century, originating from New York City. While Rick claimed to be fully politically neutral, he often involved himself in instances of perceived injustice. During the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1937), Rick ran guns to Ethiopia. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Rick fought on the side of the Spanish republic. Rick also came to have a romance with one Ilsa Lund in 1940 when they fought in the French Resistance.
Ilsa was the war-widow of a Jewish man named Victor Laszlo who was sent to a nazi concentration-camp. Rick and Ilsa planned on leaving Paris together during the Battle of France (1940). However, Ilsa found out that her husband had actually survived and escaped the concentration camps. Because of this, she abandoned Rick without explanation through she retained feelings for him.
Casablanca[]
Following his time in Paris, Rick opened an American-gimmicked establishment called Rick's Café Americain in Casablanca, Morocco. Here, Rick abandoned his political activism and chose to make the establishment, "Neutral". In the December of 1941, the Café was visited by Ilsa and her husband Laszlo. The two had to hide out in the café due to their involvement with the resistance against the Nazi party. The nazis too followed them to the café but were presented from direct action due to the political neutrality of the café.
Due to this, the nazis paid off Casablanca's police in-order to arrest Victor on false premises. Rick later arranged for Ilsa and Laszlo to leave Casablanca in a plane. Before Ilsa left, she and Rick made up with one another. The two had a final goodbye in the airfield before the nazis arrived. When the corrupt cops arrived, Rick shot them dead in an act to break the illusion of political neutrality in instances of injustice. Following this, Rick considered joining the Free French Forces of Brazzaville.
Jungle Cruise appearances[]
Attractions[]
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar[]
In this bar is a post-card from Rick addressed to Trader Sam which reads, "To the only other Sam I trust! Drinks are on me whenever you stop by next. Rick".[1]
Paraphenelia[]
Jungle Cruise Adventure Game[]
Rick is shown in this game as a member of the Cruz and DeNyle families.
Other connections[]
Great Movie Ride[]
Rick Blaine physically appeared in this attraction, saying goodbye to Ilsa.
Other appearances[]
Magic of Disney Animation[]
Mickey Mouse appeared dressed as Rick on a poster for a film called, "Casamousa" made by Walt Disney Pictures.[2]
Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner[]
A crate from Curtis Wine & Spirits, Ltd. outside of this Echo Lake restaurant is addressed to Rick's Café Americain in Casablanca.[3] This restaurant is themed to being run by the characters of Min Divot and Bill from the 1930 film Min and Bill who have crates addressed to famous 20th century film characters including Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind (1939), Charles Foster Kane from Citizen Kane (1941), George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life (1946), and Max Bialystock from The Producers (1967).[4]
Trivia[]
- The song, "As Time Goes By" plays in Nigel Greenwater's audio-loop for the Jungle Cruise. This is a song popularized by Casablanca which holds significant importance to Rick in the film. In the film, this song represents the romance which Rick had with Ilsa Lund.
- Rick's actor Humphrey Boggart also portrayed Charlie Allnut in the film The African Queen which inspired the Jungle Cruise. Allnut is also referenced as a friend of Trader Sam's and affiliate of Jungle Navigation Company.
- Casablanca's connection to the Jungle Cruise is partly due to the crashed plane in the Congo basin. This is a recycled prop from the Great Movie Ride's Casablanca scene which was an allegedly authentic prop from the film. The other connection comes from Harper Goff, the original imagineer behind the Jungle Cruise who worked as a set-designer for Casablanca
- Rick was made much larger in the Great Movie Ride than his actor Humphrey Boggart.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BhNpJ8qlFnu/
- ↑ https://www.mousesteps.com/2013/09/27/new-minnie-mouse-meet-greet-at-disney-s-hollywood-studios-exudes-old-world-glamour-detailed-queue-a-delight-for-disney-fans/
- ↑ http://studioscentral.com/why/crates/
- ↑ https://www.disneydining.com/top-13-secret-finds-at-walt-disney-world-5/