Here's Looking at Hedy?
Casablanca is unarguably one of the greatest love stories on film. The classic lines, the music, the incredibly talented cast, all add up to a movie that will live in our hearts eternally.
It's difficult to envision Casablanca without immediately picturing Humphrey Bogart as Rick and Ingrid Bergmann as Ilsa. But as is often the case, Ingrid Bergmann wasn't the first choice for the role of Ilsa. Producer Hal Willis originally suggested Hedy Lamarr for the part, but her contract with MGM wouldn't allow her to accept the role. Ms. Lamarr also expressed her wariness over taking on a role in a movie that wasn't completely finished being written, prior to the start of filming. Ms. Bergmann would encounter that same problem after accepting the role.
Hedy Lamarr did step in and play the part of Ilsa on the radio, while Ingrid Bergmann and Humphrey Bogart were overseas entertaining the troops. Alan Ladd helped out by playing the part of Rick while Bogart was busy.
