Play It Again, Sam (1972)

A neurotic film critic obsessed with the movie Casablanca (1942) attempts to get over his wife leaving him by dating again with the help of a married couple and his illusory idol, Humphrey Bogart.

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writers:

Woody Allen (based on the play by), Woody Allen (screenplay)

Stars:

Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Woody Allen	...	Allan
Diane Keaton	...	Linda
Tony Roberts	...	Dick
Jerry Lacy	...	Bogart
Susan Anspach	...	Nancy
Jennifer Salt	...	Sharon
Joy Bang	...	Julie
Viva	...	Jennifer
Susanne Zenor	...	Discotheque Girl (as Suzanne Zenor)
Diana Davila	...	Museum Girl
Mari Fletcher	...	Fantasy Sharon
Michael Greene	...	Hood #1
Ted Markland	...	Hood #2

Storyline

A mild mannered film critic is dumped by his wife and his ego is crushed. His hero persona is the tough guy played by Humphrey Bogart in many of his movies and the apparition of Bogart begins showing up to give him advice. With the encouragement of his two married friends, he actually tries dating again, with less than satisfactory results, until he relaxes.

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Plot Keywords:

dating | neurosis | imaginary friend | san francisco california | based on play | 

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Taglines:

It's still the same old story, a fight for love and glory.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

5 May 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aspirins for Three

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,413

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Rollins-Joffe Productions, APJAC Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the American Film Institute's 2000 list of the 500 movies nominated for the Top 100 Funniest American Movies.

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Goofs

When the Bogart character is talking about Lizabeth Scott it sounds like he calls her Elizabeth.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[clip from 'Casablanca']
Airport guard: Hello, radio tower, Lisbon plane taking off in ten minutes, east runway. Thank you.
Richard 'Rick' Blaine: Louis, have your man go with Mr. Lazlo and take care of his luggage.
Captain Renault: Certainly, Rick, anything you say. Find Mr. Lazlo's luggage and put it on the plane.
Airport guard: Yes, sir. This way please.

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Alternate Versions

The long-lost "Making Of Play It Again, Sam" featurette included a cut scene of Woody watching a mini-skirted girl climb a ladder in his film magazine office. The still of this scene was used on many foreign posters for the film.

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Connections

Version of Une aspirine pour deux (1995)

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Soundtracks

La Marseillaise
(1792) (uncredited)
Written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
Arranged by Max Steiner (uncredited)
In the score at the end of the Casablanca (1942) clips

User Reviews

My favorite Woody Allen film

This is one if my favorite movies of all time. It is best seen right after Casablanca; I like to watch the two back-to-back to get the full effect. I laugh out loud throughout the movie, as I see myself portrayed so well in Allen's character. The movie is a must for any slightly-geeky single man or anyone who enjoyed Casablanca. I think of this as the story of a lovelorn geek on a quest for love, guided by his faith in Bogart. The cast is astounding; along with Allen's performance, Diane Keaton added a good amount of reality, sensitivity, and humor. Her character is quite believable. Tony Roberts is hilarious; his deadpan delivery of all the phone number lines prevents the joke from getting old even on multiple viewings.