Unlike JFK, its BD is getting the same treatment in packaging
Warner Home Video have announced the US Blu-ray Disc release of Casablanca (Ultimate Collector’s Edition) on 2nd December 2008 priced at $64.99 SRP. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman star in one of the great Hollywood classics that debuts on Blu-ray Disc as a premium giftset this Christmas.
All of the content of the Special Edition DVD and HD DVD editions are featured alongside a documentary on the life of Jack Warner - 1993 documentary: Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul - in this set that is elegantly boxed in an intricate laser-cut Moroccan design and will include collectibles such as reproductions of executive memos and props**, a branded passport holder, luggage tag, photo book and mail-in offer for a movie poster.
** 1) Memo from Hal Wallis that “Casablanca” is the new title 2) Memo from Wallis to Jack Warner strongly urging casting of Bogart over George Raft 3) Letter from Publicity head Charles Einfeld to publicist Marty Weiser to “sell” Bogart as a romantic lead 4) Victor Laszlo’s “letter of transit.
There is no region coding and there are no announced plans for a standard, non-UCE release.
Extras (presented in Standard Definition)…
Disc 1:
Behind the Story
* Introduction by Lauren Bacall
* Commentary by film critic Roger Ebert
* Commentary by film historian/author Rudy Behlmer
* 1988 TCM special: Bacall on Bogart [Laurel Bacall’s candid and moving reminiscences about her husband’s life and career]
* You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca [Bacall hosts this spellbinding backstage tour]
* As Time Goes By: The Children Remember [Stephen Bogart and Pia Lindstrom remember their parents, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman]
* Production history gallery
Additional Footage
* Deleted scenes
* Outtakes
* Who Holds Tomorrow? Premiere episode from the 1955 Warner Bros. Presents series, starring Charles McGraw
* 1995 WB Cartoon: Carrotblanca
Audio
* Scoring Stage Sessions
* Knock on Wood Alternate Version, Wilson with Piano
* As Time Goes By Part One Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
* As Time Goes By Part One Film Version, Wilson with Piano
* Rick Sees Ilsa Instrumental Medley
* As Time Goes By Part Two Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
* As Time Goes By Part Two Film Version, Wilson with Piano
* At La Belle Aurore Instrumental Medley
* Dat’s What Noah Done Outtake, Wilson with Piano
* April 26,1943 Screen Guild Players Radio Broadcast
Trailers
* Theatrical trailer
* 1992 re-release trailer
Disc 2: - Most likely a standard DVD…
* 1993 documentary: Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul
