The Fundamental Things Apply: Reagan In Casablanca

Note: This is based upon a largely apocryphal anecdote that Ronald Reagan was in serious contention to play Rick in Casablanca. While this story is almost certainly based upon the fact that they were throwing numerous names out there as possibilities to play the lead, and Reagan was never a serious contender, it did cause some thoughts. As always, I make no promises as to where this timeline will lead, or even if I'll continue it if it stops being fun, or I run out of ideas.

While the film is acknowledged as an undisputed classic today, Casablanca came close to never seeing the light of day. Humphrey Bogart, until then mostly known for his roles in gangster pictures, had originally been cast as cafe owner Rick. Unfortunately, after a night of heavy drinking, he'd broken his collarbone, and would be out of commission for months. Studio boss Jack Warner was furious: Filming had already been unacceptably delayed due to a number of unrelated issues, and he was ready to pull the plug rather thank sink another cent into the production if a new leading man couldn't be found quickly.

Various names were thrown into the hat: Clark Gable, Cary Grant, even Jimmy Stewart. Every name was either unavailable, impossible to work with, or unable to get out of contract to another studio. Finally, out of desperation, they cast one actor who had received excellent reviews in the recently released King's Row: Ronald Reagan was told to report to the set for wardrobe fitting.

-The House That Bugs Built: 75 Years Of Warner Brothers Variety Press, 1998


I'd planned on taking some time off for a while in order to recharge my engines, as the saying goes, but you didn't turn down an order from Jack Warner. He was known to enjoy breaking careers even more than he enjoyed making them. Was I as good-looking as Bogart? Probably a bit better looking. As talented? Not by a long shot. I was able to memorize the lines, but frankly, despite some positive reviews I'd been getting for King's Row, I knew where I stood in the hierarchy of talent in Hollywood, and it would be overly boastful of me to say that I was even in the middle of that list. However, I was available, I was willing to learn my lines and hit my marks, and they were all out of options. I was stuck with them, and they were stuck with me. Thank the good Lord that Claude Raines and Ingrid Bergman (what a beauty!) were willing to carry me through the tougher scenes, or I would have been laughed out of the industry!

-Here's Looking At You, Kid!: A Hollywood Memoir, Ronald Reagan, 1980
 
Last edited:
Good start; IRL, the creator of the play that Casablanca was based on wrote the role specifically for Bogart, IIRC...

Still, it's interesting to see this direction...
 
Top