50 Quotes From Casablanca, In Order Of Awesomeness

"Here's looking at you, kid."

Updated 12 years ago, May 6, 2013

Because I first saw “Casablanca” at the age of ten, it pretty much is responsible for forming my idea of capital-R Romance. Of course, the Romance in “Casablanca” is a doomed romance, but then, probably all romances are doomed romances if you think about it for too long — or, alternately, if you think about it for just the right amount. Or is that too profound? Probably it’s too profound. Anyway; let’s not get into that whole thing right now. Anyway – play the ‘Marseillaise.’ …Play it!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTsg9i6lvqU&w=584&h=390]

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“…Here’s looking at you, kid.”
“Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time.”
“It’s still the same old story/ A fight for love and glory...”
“Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine…”
“…If we stop breathing, we’ll die. If we stop fighting our enemies, the world will die.”
“Round up the usual suspects.”
“Just because you despise me, you are the only one I trust.”
“Not an easy day to forget.” “…I remember every detail. The Germans wore gray, you wore blue.”
“I heard a story once — as a matter of fact, I’ve heard a lot of stories in my time. They began with the sound of a tinny piano playing in a parlor downstairs…”
“You know how you sound…? Like a man who’s trying to convince himself of something he doesn’t believe in his heart.”
“Where were you last night?” “…That’s so long ago, I don’t remember.”
“Will I see you tonight?” “…I never make plans that far ahead.”
“What in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?” “…My health, I came to Casablanca for the waters.” “The waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.” “...I was misinformed.”
“What is your nationality?” “…I’m a drunkard.”
“Are you sure this place is honest?” “…Honest as the day is long!“
“I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on here!” (The croupier hands him his money.) “…Your winnings, sir.” “Oh, thank you very much!”
“Remember, this gun is pointed right at your heart.” “…That’s my least vulnerable spot.”
“Welcome back to the fight. This time I know our side will win.”
“I like to think you killed a man. It’s the Romantic in me…”
“I’d bet they’re asleep in New York. I’d bet they’re asleep all over America…”
“What if you killed all of us? From every corner of Europe, hundreds, thousands would rise up to take our places. Even Nazis can’t kill that fast.”
(Defiantly sings the ‘Marseilles.’)
“Why did you have to come to Casablanca? There are other places.”
“Go ahead and shoot. You’ll be doing me a favor.”
“You despise me, don’t you?” “…If I gave you any thought, I probably would.”
“When it comes to women, you’re a true democrat.”
“I’m the only cause I’m interested in.”
“Major Strasser’s been shot.” (Glances at Rick, holding the smoking gun, and he repeats–) “…Round up the usual suspects.”
“Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
“Boss, ain’t you going to bed?”
“…Not right now.”
“Ain’t you planning on going to bed in the near future?”
“…No.”
“You ever going to bed?”
“…No!”
“Well, I ain’t sleepy either.”
“You know what I want to hear. …
You played it for her, you can play it for me!”
“…Well, I don’t think I can remember…”
“If she can stand it, I can! Play it!”
(Sam plays ‘As Time Goes By.’)
“…Who are you really, and what were you before? What did you do and what did you think, huh?” “…We said no questions.”
(Standing in front of the plane in the fog.) “I’m saying this because it’s true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You’re part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.”
“…But what about us?”
“We’ll always have Paris. We didn’t have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.”
“…When I said I would never leave you…”
“And you never will. But I’ve got a job to do, too. Where I’m going, you can’t follow. What I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of. Ilsa, I’m no good at being noble, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you’ll understand that.”
(Ilsa lowers her head and begins to cry.)
“Now, now…”
(Rick gently places his hand under her chin and raises it so their eyes meet, and he repeats–)
“Here’s looking at you, kid.”