Chivalry in Casablanca: How 1941 film seems inspiration for 1993 telenovela CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER

The following comments originally appeared as Borrower review on LAPL catalog, but has since vanished from there, perhaps because such reviews have limited lifespan. Those who wish to keep or share such reviews with others might print out or otherwise save copies for future reference.

See GoodReads review in English of book CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER which also gives clues to other book reviews describing how these seem inspired by classic telenovelas.  Check back for more planned "reprints" on this blog of comments that were first posted as LAPL Borrower reviews of DVD's & books pointing out links to classic telenovelas.

Probably easiest way to re-post LAPL reviews seems to be order in which they were originally written.  Tho subject matter may seem to jump around a lot, eventually may end up going back to topic of PARIENTES A LA FUERZA--so stay tuned.  

"CHIVALRY IN CASABLANCA:  How 1941 film classic seems inspiration for 1993 telenovela CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER"

Recently (September 2023?) I was at first taken aback by comment that role of Ilsa in CASABLANCA was a femme fatale (more on that below)  "who would've been better portrayed by Hedy Lamarr who'd been considered for the part". 

This view--by a woman--seems to me on the level of interpreting GONE WITH THE WIND as a romance, a misreading rebutted in somewhat scholarly book A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL by Pamela Regis.  At the time, stunned, I could only guess remark was due to Bogart also starring in MALTESE FALCON. 

Thinking it over, "shocking" statement implies either lack of understanding of term used, or failure to see intentions of  CASABLANCA's creators.  The following is attempt to rectify both possible errors of perception.  

Sam Spade, like Rick, has become jaded by his life experiences, yet some have also described him as a Knight in Rusty Armor who still adheres to his Code of Honor.  Both men ultimately spurn chance for selfish gain and instead does what he believes is right.  One of the most quoted lines from HARRY POTTER books is said by Albus Dumbledore:   "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

 

Wikipedia article on CHIVALRY cites in detail historian William Manchester's view of General Douglas MacArthur as chivalric warrior.

At first glance, this review may seem peppered with off-topic remarks.  But these are intended as illustrations of inter textual inspiration used by creative writers, whether for book format, or big or small screen.  Spanish expression "como de pelicula" (like a giant image on big movie screen) doesn't seem to have direct translation in English; closest may be "larger than life". 

(BTW, Hedy Lamarr is secret subject of guessing game reflecting perception by contemporaries who saw her films; see descriptive clues in Chapter XIII of 1944 book THEN THERE WERE FIVE by Elizabeth Enright.  Niece of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Enright was Newbery-winning author whose books--especially GONE-AWAY LAKE & RETURN TO GONE-AWAY--I'm convinced helped inspire Harry Potter series.  Lynne Rae Perkins' books also drop clues she is fan of Enright; NUTS TO YOU has echoes of TATSINDA, 1st GONE-AWAY book is described in SECRET SISTERS OF THE SALTY SEA) 

Shakespeare himself is well-known for finding ideas for his own plays in history and other stories, creatively transforming them like powerful sorcerer Prospero of his final play THE TEMPEST with famous Ariel's song "a sea change, into something rich and strange".

Classic telenovela now streaming on VIx based on book trilogy CORAZON SALVAJE (see DVD review) may be result of wondering how to turn GONE WITH THE WIND into a true love story with essential "eight narrative elements" explalned in Pamela Regis study of genre.  

First of these is "a definition of society, always corrupt, that the romance novel will reform".  In CS, romantic hero is freedom fighter, not supporter of society built on slavery.  Essay "Utopias televisadas" by American professor Leslie Bary on Henciclopia website examines CORAZON SALVAJE from political/sociological perspective.

After shallow gaiety of Jazz Age, followed by Great Depression (both financial and moral), growing threats world-wide to humanity may have increased resonance of idealism expressed in what are now considered motion picture classics: the belief that some things are worth self-sacrifice; that living with tormenting regret is fate worse than death. John 15:13--"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."    

"You Must Remember this" feature on making of CASABLANCA narrated by Lauren Bacall has quote by producer of film, Hal Wallis on Ingrid Bergman:  "She's the only actress with the luminous quality, the warmth and tenderness for the role". 

Clothing worn by Ilsa (no "Scarlet woman") in black and white film CASABLANCA  does not need color to express her personality traits or emotions.  In her first appearance in movie, Ilsa wears pure white, and later a halo-like hat. (In 1948, Ingrid Bergman was cast as Saint JOAN OF ARC).  Contrasting black and white stripes, and  complex--or what in language of fashion world is called  "busy"--fabric print visually suggest division, agitation and confusion felt by Ilsa.  

Book READING THE SILVER SCREEN: " A Film Lover's Guide to Decoding the Art Form that Moves" by Thomas C. Foster includes author's interpretation of symbolism using door imagery in CASABLANCA.      

In Pulitzer Prize winning novel THE ORPHAN MASTER'S SON by Adam Johnson, CASABLANCA is called "the best" and "greatest" movie ever made, and echoed in ending (along with Orwell's 1984 for perhaps open-ended conclusion).   ORPHAN shares movie's theme of making choices between differing concepts of "the greater good".  

I almost used binary phrase democracy and "dastardly" dictatorship, thinking of analysis on DVD SAVANT web site for lesser-known Tom Hank's & Meg Ryan 1990 movie JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO, also about moral choices between "a living death" limited by fear of imagined future, or freeing yourself by following ideals.

 Another of 35 quotes from Dumbledore cited in PARADE magazine Dec. 5, 2022  article by Jessica Sager:  "Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living and above all, those who live without love."  Not included is comment by Remus Lupin, who is pleasantly surprised that Harry's greatest fear (revealed by lesson on bogarts) is not Voldemort, but the Dementors who suck hope from humans, embodying "fear itself", echo of FDR's "We have nothing to fear but fear itself".      

 

Looking at long list of examples of mostly fictional FEMME FATALES (including Brigid O'Shaughnessy of MALTESE FALCON) in article on Wikipedia, it strikes me all may have been created by men, I suspect due to male refusal to accept that their conscious mind cannot always control their body's reactions--the old excuse, "she made me do it", which seems behind demand by some cultures that women wear veils, especially those that totally obscure them from male gaze.  

THE DEFINITIVE BOOK ON BODY LANGUAGE by Barbara Pease says women tend to be far better at reading & communicating with such unspoken signals (aka feminine intuition).  I posit this is another reason why men may be blind-sided in relationships, attributing their own lack of perception to mysterious esoteric "women's wiles".  Also, males are much more likely than females to be on Autism Spectrum, with traits that include inability to easily interpret other people's emotions or facial expressions.     

"Sister Suffragette" song lyrics in Disney's 1964 MARY POPPINS touch on this:  "Though we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stupid."  (Another Dumbledore quote comes to mind:  "Perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it".) 

Epitome of romance CASABLANCA is favorite film of more than a few men; see numerous books about the film.  Hacienda  called Casablanca is major setting in CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER (original 1994 telenovela based on book by Fernando Gaitan).  Sharing theme of sacrificial love, it could be named for film.  And is it mere coincidence much of movie CASABLANCA (based on play, "Everybody Comes to Rick's" by Murray Burnett & Joan Alison) takes place in Rick's CAFE?

Remembering more similarities now, supporting theory that CAFE is intentional tribute to film.  Lovers have "their song", one of many sung by female star released on 2 soundtrack albums.  Atmospheric favorite scene is set in Colombian version of a "gin joint" where leading man tries to drown his sorrows while listening to jukebox playing classic recordings of "Hola Soledad" and "Amor Perdido".  

Scene is also another example of his character trying to get back to his cultural roots; in London where he attended university, he went to grand opera.  Other diegetic songs (i.e. heard by characters) are used to comment on what's happening in story.     

Like Rick, CAFE's leading man crumples up paper and tosses it away.  Note is his "missing person" description--having hired men to comb countryside for vanished woman--in effect, a love poem about her:  "Gaviota es una mujer con mirada sensitiva y inquietante, de cabello largo que huele a hierbas, de boca fresca...que solo caminar, detiene el tiempo." 

Gender swap in who is said to look like they came down from heaven & spouse in love triangle. In Ep. 13 of CAFE, "poor man's roulette table" gambling in background might be another nod to CASABLANCA.  More later after spoiler alert.  

On page 62 of 2010 book collection of scholarly essays titled TELENOVELAS edited by Ilan Stavans (an authority on DON QUIXOTE), part of "The Ilan Stavans Library of Latino Civilization", author Ibsen Martinez confirms my own speculation that the genre developed from tradition of novels by the like of Victor Hugo, Balzac and Charles Dickens being read aloud in installments to entertain male workers doing tedious repetitive work in Cuban cigar factories before the age of radio.  I feel one modern example reflecting this heritage of literary social realism is CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER.

Below is meant as preview of coming attractions rather than spoilers. (Talk about tortuous Telenovela twists and turns--echa un ojo/ cast an eye/ take a look at Origin Story of Twelve Tribes of Israel, succinctly retold in Wikipedia entry for RACHEL, beloved by Jacob, for whom he labored 14 years for her father in order to gain her as bride.)  

In opposition to those regarded as disposable commodity for international human trafficking in both 1942 film & 1994 CAFE,  latter also shows women in important professions including a woman cardiac surgeon, a woman psychologist, and a woman judge.  

CAFE, like CASABLANCA, also features memorable scene set in rain storm, following sunny idyll of care-free couples head-over-heels in love; important plot turns taking place at airports, and longing to fly to carry out one's dreams. (Opening of CASABLANCA becomes especially poignant knowing that extras were real life European war refugees.)   

With deck long stacked against their efforts to advance in world run by men, some women may resort to manipulation (like "church ladies" regarded with admiration by author James McBride, used in his own novels.  See SLATE profile on McBride, August 7, 2023).

In CAFE, our heroine Gaviota fudges facts about her work experience on job application (not stating outright that while she did work in Europe, it was to serve coffee or clean toilets--she gambles HR dept. won't make expensive overseas phone calls to verify, being too dazzled by her elegant appearance & passport with false identity proving she had been to Europe where she in fact learned to speak English, French & German; she first lived in  PARIS.)  

However, her new boss would consider such actions a plus.  He himself plays fast and loose with truth--resulting in world-wide financial repercussions. (Common advice for job interviews is "dress for job you want, not job you have".  Real life example of saying "the clothes make the man", or appearance taken as authenticity, was demonstrated by Beverly Hills burglar ring, subject of Sofia Coppola's movie BLING RING--teenage thieves said because they were nicely dressed, their use of stolen credit cards was never questioned.  Actors say costuming is vital for them to "get into" a role.)  

After hearing positive comments about lauded executive of Cafexport in Jet Set magazine (before his egregiously immoral behavior), Gaviota remarks that working for such a man would be the best university education one could have.  Later, she herself will appear on cover of news magazine as rightfully respected representative of Colombian coffee industry and on TV news coverage seen by imprisoned Sebastian, who calls their love pure, balanced, something perfect.   

Our hero nobly chooses to sacrifice his career and reputation to give Gaviota the chance to be delegate at international coffee summit in London, a position she earned by her hard-work, brains and ability to soak up knowledge like a sponge.  Both were framed by his ruthless cousin, the lovers being innocent dupes, distracted by clandestine work-place romance. 

Devious corporate accountant who takes advantage of lovers blind trust is named Reynaldo Perez--refering to fox-like slyness hinted at by name of opportunist Captain Renault in CASABLANCA.  Last name of Reynaldo reminds me of "El Ratoncito Perez" of Spanish folk tales, and so gives me vibe similar to literal & figurative Rat Wormtail in Harry Potter series.  (Interestingly, Chinese Zodiac--also used symbolically in some TV series--assigns positive traits to rats, including being good family members.)  

Another character in CAFE is closer to typical FEMME FATALE:  tho young, she pretends her uncle is abusing her, then poisons him so she can take over his property, thinking this will bind to her frequently drunk foreign aristocrat she seduced.  (Chilling clue is how she stabs raw meat with knife.)  But when he discovers--literally digs up--proof of her crime, he runs off in horror.  She finally goes raving mad, wandering countryside until she drowns, like Ophelia in Shakespeare's HAMLET. 

What is often called evil may be mental illness.  Seductive historical figures (Hitler?) may also be madmen.  By contrast, in his famous speech Rick says "I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of 3 little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.  Someday you'll understand that."  And so he strives to protect humanitarian goals and aspirations. 

In both stories are similarities to DON QUIXOTE--said to have influenced all literature that followed--and the WIZARD OF OZ quests for love, wisdom, courage and home (another re-imagining is telenovela streaming on Spectrum set in world of Hollywood film making PARIENTES A LA FUERZA).  

Unlikely duo of Rick and worldly wise Louis reflect Knight Errant dreamer Don Quixote and practical side-kick Sancho Panza. Rather than traditional proverbs quoted by Sancho Panza, Gaviota's mother cites telenovelas.  Fantasy (or lies) and fact become mixed, chivalry is derided by the self-centered cynical--yet wins in the end.   

1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER became cultural phenomena in Colombia.  Unlike typical American soap operas, viewers came from all levels of society.  Even high-ranking male officials reportedly were said to be "unavailable" while it was airing--code for "I'm watching my telenovela".  

 

Conclusion of ESQUIRE magazine May 16, 2023 article by Michael Clinton about Hollywood ignoring older viewers says:  "Throughout its history, the entertainment world has played a pivotal role helping to shape cultural, social and political evolutions."  CASABLANCA is clearly example of an influential dream. 

Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows):  "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"   

(P.S.  Other reprinted reviews commenting on classic 1993 telenovela CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, as well as CORAZON SALVAJE and LA MENTIRA--all currently streaming on VIX--and back to  PARIENTES A LA FUERZA are planned for future posts on this blog.  Please check back for this continuing series.)