February 12, 2015

Lorre Lovers, Spend Valentine’s Day with Peter

Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday this year, and a number of movie theaters in the U.S. and U.K. will be showing Casablanca (1942) as part of the weekend’s festivities. Now considered one of the most romantic movies of all time, Casablanca was just another job to cast and crew during filming in 1942.

To Peter Lorre, who plays the pivotal character of Ugarte, holder of the letters of transit needed by Victor and Ilsa (Paul Henreid and Ingrid Bergman) to escape Casablanca for America, Casablanca was a chance to work again with his best friend Humphrey Bogart – and to earn extra money playing the roulette wheel on the “gambling room” set between takes.

The movie also led Peter to a contract with Warner Bros. and the busiest years of his career, with work on stage, on radio, and on screen.

Casablanca will be shown in these American venues this weekend:
  • Cambridge, Massachusetts – Brattle Theater – Feb. 13 and 14
  • Washington, DC – E Street Cinema – Feb. 13 and 14
  • Raleigh, North Carolina – North Carolina Symphony – Feb. 13 and 14
  • St. Louis, Missouri – Hi-Pointe Theater – Feb. 14
  • Austin, Texas – Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Feb. 14
  • Santa Monica, California – Aero Theater – Feb. 14
  • Boise, Idaho – Egyptian Theatre – Feb. 14
  • Chicago, Illinois – Music Box Theatre – Feb. 14
  • Fort Smith, Arizona – Fort Smith Regional Art Museum – Feb. 14
  • Indianapolis, Indiana – Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra – Feb. 13-15
  • Goshen, Indiana – Art House – Feb. 13-15
And in these venues in the United Kingdom:
  • Newcastle Upon Tyne – Tyneside Cinema – Feb. 14
  • Portsmouth – No. 6 Cinema – Feb. 14
  • Hemel Hempstead – Old Town Cinema – Feb. 14



Brattle Theater – Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Brattle Theater has been showing Casablanca over Valentine’s Day for years now, and in the 1960s, audiences would often come dressed as the various characters, recite the movie’s classic lines back to the screen, and sing along with Dooley Wilson.

Casablanca will be shown both Friday, Feb. 13 and Valentine’s Day. Showtimes on both dates are 4:15 pm, 7 pm, and 9:45 pm. Valentine’s Day showings are already sold out.

Ticket prices are $11 for general evening admission, $9 for general matinee admission, students, and Brattle members, and $8 for seniors and children. Special tickets are also available for $25, including seating in a reserved section of the Brattle, unlimited popcorn and soda, and a special Valentine’s Day treat.

The Brattle is located at 40 Brattle Street, in Harvard Square, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.



E Street Cinema – Washington, DC

Lorre fans in Washington DC can catch an almost-midnight showing of Casablanca – 11:59 pm – at the E Street Cinema on both Feb. 13 and 14.

Tickets are $9 for general admission and $8.50 for seniors and children. Tickets may be purchased on-line through the cinema’s website.

The E Street Cinema is located in the Lincoln Square Building, at 555 11th Street, NW. The entrance is on E Street, between 10th and 11th streets, in Washington, DC. Directions, as well as public transportation and parking options, are available on the venue’s website.



North Carolina Symphony – Raleigh, North Carolina

Lorre fans in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area will have an opportunity to enjoy Casablanca with Max Steiner’s musical score performed live by the North Carolina Symphony on Feb. 13 and 14, as part of its 2014-15 Pops Series. Constantine Kitsopoulos will conduct.

On Feb. 13, the program will begin at 8 pm. On Feb. 14, the program will begin at 3 pm and 8 pm.

Ticket prices range from $30 to $75 for all seats. Tickets may be purchased on-line through the Symphony website, as well as at the door one hour before the concert begins. Tickets purchased on-line will include a service charge.

The North Carolina Symphony will perform in the Meymandi Concert Hall in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. The Duke Energy Center is located at 2 E. South Street, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Directions and parking options are available on the Symphony’s website.



Hi-Pointe Theater – St. Louis, Missouri

As part of its monthly Classic Film Series, the Hi-Pointe Theater will present Casablanca on Feb. 14 at 10:30 am.

Admission is $5 for everyone.

The Hi-Pointe is located at 1005 McCausland Avenue, in St. Louis, Missouri. Directions to the theater, as well as parking options, are available on the Hi-Pointe website.



Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Austin, Texas

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas, will offer Casablanca goers a special 4-course Valentine’s Day Feast on Feb. 14. The menu is available on the cinema’s website.

The program begins at 6 pm.

Admission is $65 for all seats. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 6 will not be admitted.

The “Food and Feast: Casablanca Valentine’s Day Feast” will be held at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz, located at 320 East 6th Street, in Austin, Texas. Directions and parking options are available on the venue’s website.



Aero Theater – Santa Monica, California

The historic Aero Theater, originally built in 1940, will celebrate “Movie Valentines” with a showing of Casablanca on Feb. 14, as part of their series “Love on the Big Screen 2015”.

The program will begin 7:30 pm, with a special introduction by Monika Henreid, daughter of actor Paul Henreid.

Admission is $11 for all seats, and $7 for American Cinemateque members. Tickets may be purchased at the box office or on-line through Fandango. Tickets purchased on-line will include a service charge of $1.35.

The Aero Theatre is located at 13328 Montana Avenue, in Santa Monica, California.



Egyptian Theatre – Boise, Idaho

Boise Classic Movies offers a special Valentine’s Day showing of Casablanca at the historic Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise, Idaho.

The program begins at 7 pm.

Ticket prices are $9 if purchased on-line through the Boise Classic Movies website. Tickets may also be purchased for $11 at the box office – if seats are still available.

The Egyptian Theatre is located at 700 West Main Street, at the corner of Capitol Boulevard and Main Street, in downtown Boise, Idaho. Directions and parking options are available through the Egyptian Theatre website.



Music Box Theatre – Chicago, Illinois

This year, the Music Box Theatre’s annual screening of Casablanca will include a special “Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Sing-Along”, featuring such love songs as “You Are My Sunshine”, “Bicycle Built for Two”, and “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” – with lyrics projected onto the screen and accompaniment by the Music Box organ.

The program begins at 1 pm.

Admission is $12 for all seats. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, as well as on-line through the Music Box website. A booking fee of $1.25 will be added to tickets purchased on-line.

The Music Box Theatre is located at 733 North Southport Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois. Parking options are available on the venue’s website.



Fort Smith Regional Art Museum – Fort Smith, Arizona

“Rendezvous in Casablanca” will be the theme for the third annual fundraising event at the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (FSRAM) on Valentine’s Day, including a showing of Casablanca.

Attendees must be 21 or older and are encouraged to wear black and white with a touch of red, or in Moroccan chic – or to dress as their favorite character from the movie.

The gala will include appetizers, specialty drinks from the open bar, dinner, desserts, and a candy buffet, in addition to prizes such as jewelry, restaurant and store gift certificates, a gift bag from the museum’s store, and museum memberships – and a number of surprises.

The event will begin at 7 pm.

Tickets are $75 for members of FSRAM and $100 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased on-line through the Art Museum website or by calling (479) 784-2787.

The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum is located at 1601 Rogers Avenue, in Fort Smith, Arizona. Directions are available through the museum’s website.



Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra – Indianapolis, Indiana

Over the Valentine’s weekend, Casablanca will be shown at the Hilbert Circle Theater, as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs the movie score live, on Feb. 13, 14, and 15. The 122-minute program will include a 20-minute intermission.

On Feb. 13 and 14, Casablanca will be shown at 8 pm. On Sunday, Feb. 15, the program will begin at 3 pm.

On Feb. 13 and 14, ticket prices for adults range from $15 to $66, depending on the seat location. On Feb. 15, adult tickets range from $15 to $46. Students pay $10 at all times. Tickets may be purchased on-line through the theater’s website.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Hilbert Circle Theater, located at 45 Monument Circle, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Directions, as well as parking options, are available on the venue’s website.



Art House – Goshen, Indiana

Casablanca will also be on-screen throughout the Valentine’s weekend at the Art House, located in downtown Goshen.

The movie begins at 7 pm on Friday, Feb. 13, 6 pm on Saturday, and a matinee at 4 pm on Sunday.

Tickets are $8 for regular admission, and $6 for seniors and students with valid ID. Tickets may be purchased at the box office.

The Art House is located at 211 South Main Street, second floor, in Goshen, Indiana. Enter through the back entrance parking lot off Third Street or through the Gateway Cellar Winery on Main Street.



Tyneside Cinema – Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

For the seventh year, the Tyneside Cinema has invited the residents of Newcastle Upon Tyne to cast their votes for the most romantic movie, the movie they feel the historic cinema should screen on Valentine’s Day.

The votes are in and the winner is announced – Casablanca, which will be shown at 3:50 pm on Saturday.

Everyone attending the screening will receive complimentary luxury chocolates, courtesy of Hotel Chocolat, of 29 Buckett Street, in Newcastle upon Tyne. The Tyneside Bar and Café will also offer a special Valentine’s Day menu.

Tickets are £9 general admission, £7.50 for seniors, Benefit, Disabled, Active Newcastle, and Wheelchair Users, and £5.50 for students and anyone under 18 years of age. Carers accompanying patrons who are disabled or in wheelchairs are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, as well as on-line. Tickets purchased on-line will be charged a booking fee of £1.30.

The Tyneside Cinema is located at 10 Pilgrim Street, in Newcastle upon Tyne, in England. Directions, as well as public transportation and parking options, are available on the venue’s website.



No. 6 Cinema – Portsmouth, England

The No. 6 Cinema, an independent theater located in Boathouse 6 (built in 1846) in the historic dockyard of Portsmouth, will screen Casablanca on Valentine’s Day.

The movie will begin at 7 pm.

Admission is £8 for adults and £6.50 for seniors age 60 and older, students, and Leisure Card holders. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, as well as on-line through the cinema’s website. A booking fee of 48 pence will be charged for each ticket booked on-line.

The No. 6 Cinema is located in Boathouse 6 in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, in Portsmouth, England.



Old Town Cinema – Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England

The Old Town Cinema, located in the Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead, will show Casablanca on Valentine’s Day.

The show will begin at 7:30 pm.

Admission is £3 for all seats. Tickets may be purchased on-line through the venue’s website.

The Old Town Hall Arts Centre is located on High Street in Hemel Hempstead.



In the pages of The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre, author Stephen D. Youngkin discusses Peter’s three marriages through interviews with first wife Celia Lovsky and Barbara Sykes, second wife Karen Verne’s sister. While Peter remained friends with Celia to the end of his life, his marriage to Karen was considered a fairytale romance by the people who knew them. To friends and co-workers, Karen described Peter as a romantic who would often whisk her away for a weekend at the beach or Big Bear Lake.

The Lost One is available in hard-back and soft-bound editions as well as the Kindle and Nook.

1 comment:

menschenleer said...

Cheryl. Big Peter Lorre fan. Saw your page on facebook. I'm in the middle of The Lost One, but own a lot of other books too. I wrote an essay about "M" and a biography of Peter in Serial Killer Magazine. Bought "Crack Up" for x-mas, but haven't seen it yet. There's a Peter Lorre cover band too (WIFS). We should be friends. I'm Kait.