Hey, so, I won't be able to post this or next weekend, as my Winter's Tale performances are dominating my time. So sorry!
Are you hyped? No? Well, you should be, because AH.com's most infrequently updated cinematic TL is going to get an update this weekend! That's right. I've gotten out of my writer's block, so I hope you will enjoy.
Well, Casablanca is one of my favourite golden age films (I know, how cliche), and in my opinion the definitive wartime picture. So I suppose I can discuss a few of the details you're presenting here...
First off, the body of the text describes Lorre dying in 1942, while the caption says 1943.
Martinez's name was changed to Ferrari because Martinez, an obviously Spanish name (unlike the more generically Romantic "Ugarte"), might have been perceived by Spain (a neutral country, whatever its oft-disputed leanings) as an insult, and would hurt Spanish box-office returns. Italy was, of course, an enemy state by 1942, one against which American troops were fighting in North Africa from May onward. These changes were might despite Spaniards being far more prevalent in Morocco than Italians (who were present in large numbers in French North Africa, but in Tunisia).
Another important note: the role of Martinez/Ferrari was dramatically reworked and expanded from the original play to get Greenstreet to play him. Ugarte, on the other hand, was adapted largely intact.
That in mind, it's hard to imagine Lugosi or Price playing Ugarte; it seems a role that Lorre was born to play. (One of the reasons Casablanca is remembered so fondly: perfect casting.) Price would make a far better Ferrari, but he was a contract player for Fox, not Warners, so a loan-out agreement would be necessary. (As it probably would for Lugosi, who worked for Universal.)
Speaking of casting, you mentioned earlier that Dooley Wilson would not be playing Sam. I don't suppose you're considering implementing a famous casting WI and putting Ella Fitzgerald in the part?![]()
His success in Rick's helps Lugosi kick his heroin addiction.
This leads him to get the Lorrie part in Mask of Dimitros.