×
×
homepage logo

Shepherdstown Film Society celebrates 80th anniversary of ‘Casablanca,’ start of fall season

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Sep 1, 2023

Lifelong Learning Director Karen Rice, right, laughs with Shepherdstown residents Sheila Vertino, center, and Nancy Kirschbaum at the Shepherdstown Film Society reception on Saturday night. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — “Casablanca is probably one of my favorite movies of all time! It’s just wonderful to be here and see the movie, and have some Moroccan-influenced food,” said Shepherdstown resident Carol Marujo, as she placed a Moroccan cigar onto her plate at Saturday night’s reception, celebrating the first night of Shepherdstown Film Society’s fall season.

After the two-hour reception in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education atrium, those in attendance then headed into the center’s auditorium to watch “Casablanca” together. The night ended with an in-depth film discussion by American University Professor Emeritus of Economics Howard Wachtel, which more than one attendee was particularly looking forward to hearing.

“It’s a classic about ethics and morals, so I think it’s always good to give it another watch,” said Shepherdstown Film Society board member Sheila Vertino. “We like to pick movies that are provocative — that make you think — and that, maybe, haven’t been seen by everybody.

“This movie was specifically suggested by Howard, because he knew that it was the 80th anniversary of ‘Casablanca’ first coming out in theaters,” Vertino said. “He’s going to be doing the film discussion and, since he’s a former professor, will know how to share his insight into the film with us.”

While “Casablanca” has proven to be a popular movie since audiences first watched it in theaters in 1943, Vertino said that younger audiences aren’t as familiar with the movie. By making it the film to kick-off the Shepherdstown Film Society’s fall season, it was hoped the film would become familiar territory to a wider local audience.

Carol Marujo, of Shepherdstown, fills her plate with Moroccan food in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education on Saturday night. Tabitha Johnston

For Nancy Kirschbaum, of Shepherdstown, this focus was an excellent idea, even if “Casablanca” was familiar territory for both her and her husband, who was also in attendance.

“It’s hard to believe that there are young people who have never seen this film!” Kirschbaum said. “It’s an important film. In many ways, watching it serves a dual purposes, in that it increases people’s interest in the history of that era and what was going on in Morocco during World War II. The whole time period is so interesting! People’s lives were completely upturned in Europe by the war.”

One aspect that was particularly new at this season’s opening reception, was that attendees were encouraged to come in their best 1940s attire. For some who dressed up according to the theme, their clothing reflected that of the expatriates who fled to Morocco from London or Paris, while for others, donning a Moroccan kaftan or fez was the right call.

Shepherdstown residents Annie Wisecarver and Dow Benedict themselves came to the event in a kaftan and a fez-inspired outfit, respectively.

“Because of our backgrounds in the Arts, we have a large number of costumes in our closet at home, so it made sense to come dressed up with the theme,” Benedict said. “I had this one fez that looked like the hat that [Captain Louis] Renault wore in the movie, so I decided to dress up like Renault.”

Shepherdstown residents Adam Thomas, left, Annie Wisecarver and Dow Benedict show off their outfits inspired by the movie "Casablanca" in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education on Saturday night. Tabitha Johnston

The Shepherdstown Film Society’s remaining three free moving showings of the season will be: a Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. showing of “Black Diamonds: Mountaintop Removal and the Fight for Coalfield Justice” (2006; documentary); an Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. showing of “Manchester by the Sea” (2016; R); and a Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. showing of “After Love” (2020; PG). All of the movies will be held in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education auditorium.