Here's the best news I've heard since I was shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here. Play it, Warner Brothers, for old times' sake. Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time....

PRESS RELEASE

CASABLANCA -- ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION

For the Ultimate Holiday Gift On Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD December 2 from Warner Home Video

Burbank, Calif., August 18, 2008 – The legendary Casablanca -- which critic Leonard Maltin calls "the best Hollywood movie of all time," starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and winner of three Academy Awards including Best Picture -- returns in a stunning new Ultimate Collector's Edition (UCE) on December 2 from Warner Home Video, just in time for the holidays. Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition will also be available in Blu-ray Hi-Def for the first time ever.

Casablanca has remained a beloved favorite for almost seven decades, and was voted the screen's greatest love story and the #3 film of all time by the American Film Institute (AFI). This classic wartime romance also took Oscars® for Michael Curtiz (Directing); Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch (Writing - Screenplay) and the studio (Outstanding Motion Picture).

The luxurious Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition looks like another beginning of a beautiful friendship. The premium giftset is elegantly boxed in an intricate laser-cut Moroccan design and will include such collectibles as replicas of actual props (Victor Laszlo's 'Letter of Transit') as well as a number of Warner studio documents (an executive's letter commanding a new PR image for Bogart from gangster to romantic lead; a note from producer Hal Wallis re-titling the film to Casablanca; and a memo from Wallis to Jack Warner strongly urging casting Bogart over George Raft). The DVD set will also contain a branded passport holder, luggage tag, photo book and a mail-in offer for a reproduction of the original movie poster. Additionally, with more than seven hours of bonus features (see below) along with a documentary on Jack Warner, no matter how often one has seen the unforgettable classic, there's sure to be something to enrich the experience.

Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition will retail on DVD for $59.98 SRP, the Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition Blu-ray Hi-Def for $64.99 SRP. The previously released Two-Disc Special Edition will also be available with new packaging and will sell for $26.99 SRP.

About the Film

Casablanca -- easy to enter, but much harder to leave, especially if you're wanted by the Nazis. Such a man is Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only hope is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American who sticks his neck out for no one - especially Victor's wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the ex-lover who broke his heart. Ilsa offers herself in exchange for Laszlo's transport out of the country and bitter Rick must decide what counts more - personal happiness or countless lives hanging in the balance.

Blu-ray Hi-Def Enhanced Content (in standard definition)

Disc 1

Behind the Story

Introduction by Lauren Bacall

Commentary by film critic Roger Ebert

Commentary by film historian/author Rudy Behlmer

1988 TCM special: Bacall on Bogart - Laurel Bacall's candid and moving reminiscences about her husband's life and career.

You Must Remember This: A Tribute to "Casablanca" - Bacall hosts this spellbinding backstage tour.

As Time Goes By: The Children Remember - Stephen Bogart and Pia Lindstrom remember their parents, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

Production history gallery

Additional Footage

Deleted scenes

Outtakes

Who Holds Tomorrow? Premiere episode from the 1955 Warner Bros. Presents series, starring Charles McGraw

1995 WB Cartoon: Carrotblanca

Audio

Scoring Stage Sessions

"Knock on Wood" Alternate Version, Wilson with Piano

"As Time Goes By" Part One Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano

"As Time Goes By" Part One Film Version, Wilson with Piano

"Rick Sees Ilsa" Instrumental Medley

"As Time Goes By" Part Two Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano

"As Time Goes By" Part Two Film Version, Wilson with Piano

"At La Belle Aurore" Instrumental Medley

"Dat's What Noah Done" Outtake, Wilson with Piano

April 26,1943 Screen Guild Players Radio Broadcast

Trailers

Theatrical trailer

1992 re-release trailer

Disc 2

1993 documentary: Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul

CASABLANCA ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION

$59.98 SRP

CASABLANCA BLU-RAY HI-DEF ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION

$64.99 SRP

Subtitles: English, Français

Run Time: 102 minutes (Feature only)

CASABLANCA TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION

$26.99 SRP

Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.