he film’s origins trace back to a stage play titled Everybody Comes to Rick’s, written by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison in 1940. Warner Bros., recognizing the potential of the story, purchased the rights in early 1942, thanks to the efforts of studio story editor Irene Diamond, who persuaded producer Hal B. Wallis to acquire the script. Although the play was never produced on stage, it provided a rich foundation for the film adaptation that would later become one of the greatest cinematic works of all time.
Production and Screenwriting
The screenplay of Casablanca was developed through a complex, collaborative process that reflected the studio system of 1940s Hollywood. Initially, twin brothers Julius and Philip G. Epstein were assigned to write the adaptation. Known for their sharp wit and light comedic style, the Epsteins infused the early drafts with humor and pacing that would later distinguish Casablanca from other wartime melodramas. However, during production, they left temporarily to contribute to Frank Capra’s Why We Fight documentary series, a wartime propaganda project commissioned by the U.S. government. Their departure led Warner Bros. to assign Howard Koch to continue writing, ensuring that production would stay on schedule.
