Search the Community

I am excited and pleased to announce the recent formation of the TCM Backlot Local San Francisco Bay Area Chapter in California. We’re very happy to be a recognized chapter and we have many exciting things in the works. Read on... Sign up today! Here As a member of our Local Chapter, you are invited to our inaugural event! TCM Backlot Local San Francisco Bay Area Chapter is excited to welcome our members to our inaugural event. Members can rsvp by responding to me via email or visit here to see the official invitation and RSVP form. There are also some maps to help guide you to the events. Please join in for dinner and the movie and drinks following – any or all of those activities. I’m so excited that we’ll be watching Casablanca as our inaugural classic film viewing together. It’s a favorite of mine and always a great film to spark some fun conversation. Upcoming Enhancements to our website! There are several very recent developments in our local chapter including: Our website boasts a new "Discussion Forum" where we as a group can effectively communicate, plan and initiate classic film related events and outings. We now have a “Member Spotlight” section of the website to highlight members of our local chapter including short videos and copy that highlight their unique brand of classic movie fandom. I plan to coordinate with members that will be attending the TCM Classic Film Festival and to partner with them to post their videos and photos in (very close to) real time to keep all of the local chapter members informed on the latest from our members at the festival. The future of our local chapter is very bright! As things progress, I’ll be sending out periodic emails to keep members up to date on all the latest activities and improvements as they occur. When you become a member, if you have any ideas for our chapter I welcome them! I so enjoy getting to know all of the members and the unique perspectives that they bring to the group. It’s been a fabulous unfolding so far and I’m excited at what the future holds for us. Sign up today! Here

The other day I watched Casablanca on TCM. It is one of my favorite movies of all time. When Ingrid Bergman first steps into Rick's Café, she is wearing a fabulous diamond brooch. I have found many studio stills of the actress and the brooch, but I can not find anything about the origin, designer or current owner of the fantastic piece of jewelry. If anyone has information about the Casablanca diamond brooch, please post.

Casablanca is one of my favorite films of all times. TMC showed it just recently and I admired the diamond brooch worn by Ingrid Bergman when she first walks into Rick's café. I have included one of the many studio stills of Bergman wearing the brooch. Does anyone have information about the origin, designer or owner of that famous, fabulous brooch? Any information would be appreciated.

Casablanca vs Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia You just feel, after watching Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia, that all the over extravagant Hollywood versions of expat Americans in far off lands and their bars/nightclubs are way way too antiseptic and safe and the women in them way too virginal. This film made between the end of the Hayes Code and before PC hits the nail on the head. You get a feeling that this was more like it would have been. Sam Peckinpah's twisted take on Rick's Place in "Casablanca", Bennie's Tlaquepaque tourist bar sequence, below enjoy.

In Lullaby of Broadway, is Gene Nelson dancing on Rick's piano from Casablanca? Looks like it.

While I was waiting for The Ten Commandments to download last night, I whiled away the time watching Casablanca again. I have seen this movie countless times, and for me, it was the film that motivated me into being the movie lover I am today. There is a magic about this story and its production that always grips me. Last night's viewing reminds me that this story takes me to foreign shores, yet the production never leaves Burbank, CA. Well, maybe there's a scene at the Van Nuys airport, but again, not that far. I still buy it. It is such masterful production design, it hooks me everytime, even when fully aware of the actual shooting locales. Am I the only one who feels like this?