Movie Closeup: Casablanca

If you love elements of bohemian decor and also gravitate towards all things noir, there is no better place to look for decor inspiration than the classic film Casablanca. And it’s not just the sets that are the stuff of which inspiration boards are made, it’s also the costumes. And yeah, the story is pretty good too.

“Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine,” says Rick Blaine, ex-pat owner of Rick’s Café Américain, a Casablancan bar and gambling house. And thus, Casablanca, the timely-at-the-time story of love and a world war, of choosing between the heart’s passion and passion for what’s right begins.

Actually, Casablanca begins with a sketchy thief who has obtained two of the coveted travel documents needed to escape westward from the impending war to the United States. It is 1941, after all. So, we have the documents, then we have someone who needs them, Rick’s lost love Ilsa…with Victor, the Czech resistance leader husband she believed to have died in a concentration camp when she became Rick’s lover. Will Rick and Ilsa rekindle their love? Will the Germans arrest Victor? Who will use the travel documents?

Casablanca was recognized at the 1942 Academy Awards, scoring best picture, best director and best screenplay. There are few modern “best ever” movie lists that don’t include it in the top ten. Although it was colorized during that deeply regrettable phase in the 1980s, the black and white smoke-drenched noir original is untouchable. George James Hopkins’s set decoration contributes mightily to the impact. We celebrate his design for the interior of Rick’s, in a style that might be called Bohemian Noir.

Here’s how you can get the look:

Inspired by the Set

The folding screen is essential for a Bohemian Noir look. It makes a doubly dramatic point. First as an accent piece to provide privacy for discussions best held in private. And second as a moody shadow on the wall. In the still shot from the set, the lighting is exquisitely positioned. Take note and do whatever you have to achieve the same.

*Moroccan Style Pierced Wood 3-Panel Floor Screen*

Since Casablanca is primarily set in a Moroccan bar, it’s only fitting to include authentic period barware. A set of etched cocktail glasses would be right at home in a Moroccan themed bar. Throw in six classic vintage bar stools and you and your friends will be ready for a night on the town, Café Américain style.

And the Wardrobe

Outside of the setting and storyline, one of the most striking parts of the movie is the fabulous costumes designed for Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman by one of the greats of the day, Orry-Kelly. Orry-Kelly designed costumes for many of the classic films of the era and won three Academy Awards for best costume design. Bogie’s suits and tuxedo in the movie are always crisp and impeccable and Ingrid Bergman’s outfits were meant to stand out just enough to make a statement yet not draw too much attention.

To recreate Bogie’s look for yourself, try this vintage formal shawl collar tuxedo jacket. Add a black bow tie and white tuxedo shirt to complete the look. Ingrid Bergman’s clothing is perfectly tailored, unfussy, and always on point. You can recreate Ingrid’s look with a vintage 1940’s fitted wool jacket worn over a white blouse and pleated slacks. Just add a wide-brimmed felted hat over a 40s hairdo to complete the ensemble.