Casablanca

1 9 5 5 – 1 9 5 6 (USA)
10 x 60 minute episodes

Based on the classic 1942 film of the same name, this series from Warner Brothers presented stories of romance and adventure in a North African setting.

Rick (Charles McGraw) was an American expatriate who owned the Cafe Americain in Casablanca, a bistro that attracted both intrigue and beautiful women. Despite his gruff and indifferent exterior, Rick had a penchant for getting involved in other people’s problems.

Captain Renaud (Marcel Dalio) was the unsympathetic police captain, Ferrari (Dan Seymour) a black marketeer, Sasha (Michael Fox) the bartender at Rick’s place, and Sam (Clarence Muse) the inimitable piano player in the bar. Former Miss Sweden, Anita Ekberg, appeared in the debut episode.

The series was one of three rotating elements – along with Kings Row and Cheyenne – airing on ABC under the umbrella title Warner Bros. Presents. Sponsors included Liggett & Myers Tobacco, General Electric and Monsanto Chemical Co.

Episodes also featured a short “behind the cameras” section, featuring a look at Warner’s film production, hosted by Gig Young (pictured below). Viewers and critics alike objected to the 10-15 minute segment at the end of each week’s presentation devoted to plugging current Warner Bros. movies, and this was eventually dropped.

The sets of an exotic street bazaar and Rick’s restaurant and casino assembled on Warner’s Stage 17 were some of the biggest and most elaborately furnished TV sets ever built at the time.

Rick Blaine
Charles McGraw
Captain Renaud
Marcel Dalio
Ferrari
Dan Seymour
Sasha
Michael Fox
Sam
Clarence Muse
Ludwig
Ludwig Stossel
Katrina Jorgenson
Anita Ekberg
Host
Gig Young

Episodes

Who Holds Tomorrow? | Black Market Operation | Labor Camp Escape | Hand of Fate | Family Dispute | Fateful Night | Satan’s Veil | The Alley | Siren Song | Deadlock!