An introduction to Michael Curtiz- Director of Casablanca
Auteur signature:
- Dolly
- Snappy dialogue
- Shadows- German expressionism
- Theme of moral rehabilitation
Curtiz as a director: (notes)
- Excellent performances director- strong performances (star maker) and snappy dialogue
- European experience- Hungary, France, Germany
- Influenced by German expressionism
- Wide range of genres
- Exacting standards- high detail in planning
- Frequent collaborations- Flynn, Bogart, Davies, Crawford, Hal Wallis
- Cinematography pioneer- Dolly
- “Studio director”- Casablanca as a ‘happy accident’- Sarris
- Clear style, technical initiative
- Made 170 films
- Multiple writers
- Shot at Birbank studios- Warner Bros
Arguments against Curtiz and the Auteur theory:
- Worked with Warner Bros with big biggest and studio filming
- Had a wide range of genres instead of one consistent theme.
Emma Coe Film Studies 