Casablanca quotes

View Quote Strasser: I'm not entirely sure which side you're on.
Renault: I have no conviction, if that's what you mean. I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy.
Strasser: And if it should change?
Renault: Well, surely the Reich doesn't permit that possibility.
Strasser: You are concerned about more than Casablanca. We know that every French province in Africa is honey-combed with traitors waiting for their chance, waiting, perhaps, for a leader.
Renault: A leader - like Laszlo?
Strasser: Uh huh. I have been thinking. It is too dangerous if we let him go. It may be too dangerous if we let him stay.

View Quote Strasser: Victor Laszlo published the foulest lies in the Prague newspapers until the very day we marched in, and even after that, he continued to print scandal sheets in a cellar.
Renault: Of course, one must admit he has great courage.
Strasser: I admit he's very clever. Three times he slipped through our fingers. In Paris, he continued his activities. We intend not to let it happen again.
Rick: Excuse me, gentlemen. Your business is politics. Mine is running a saloon.

View Quote Strasser: What is your nationality?
Rick: I'm a drunkard.
Renault: And that makes Rick a citizen of the world.
Rick: I was born in New York City if that'll help you any.
Strasser: I understand that you came here from Paris at the time of the occupation.
Rick: Well, there seems to be no secret about that.
Strasser: Are you one of those people who cannot imagine the Germans in their beloved Paris?
Rick: Not particularly my beloved Paris.
Heinze: Can you imagine us in London?
Rick: When you get there, ask me.
Renault: Diplomatist.
Strasser: Well, how about New York?
Rick: Well, there are certain sections of New York, Major, that I wouldn't advise you to try to invade.
Strasser: Uh, huh. Who do you think will win the war?
Rick: I haven't the slightest idea.
Renault: Rick is completely neutral about everything. And that takes in the field of women, too.
Strasser: You weren't always so carefully neutral. We have a complete dossier on you. [reading] "Richard Blaine, American, age 37, cannot return to his country - the reason is a little vague." We also know what you did in Paris, Mr. Blaine, and also we know why you left Paris. Don't worry, we are not going to broadcast it.
Rick: [reading his file] Are my eyes really brown?

View Quote Strasser: You are an escaped prisoner of the Reich. So far, you have been fortunate enough in eluding us. You have reached Casablanca - it is my duty to see that you stay in Casablanca.
Laszlo: Whether or not you will succeed is, of course, problematical.
Strasser: Not at all. Captain Renault's signature is necessary on every exit visa. Captain, would you think it is possible that Herr Laszlo will receive a visa?
Renault: I am afraid not. My regrets, Monsieur.
Laszlo: Well, perhaps I shall like it in Casablanca.

View Quote Strasser: You know the leaders of the underground movement in Paris, in Prague, in Brussels, in Amsterdam, in Oslo, in Belgrade, in Athens.
Laszlo: Even in Berlin.
Strasser: Yes, even in Berlin. If you will furnish me with their names and their exact whereabouts, you will have your visa in the morning.
Renault: And the honor of having served the Third Reich.
Laszlo: I was in a German concentration camp for a year. That's honor enough for a lifetime.
Strasser: You will give us the names?
Laszlo: If I didn't give them to you in a concentration camp, where you had more persuasive methods at your disposal, I certainly won't give them to you now. And what if you track down these men and kill them? What if you murdered all of us? From every corner of your Republic, thousands would rise to take our places. Even Nazis can't kill that fast.

View Quote Strasser: You will forgive my curiosity, Mr. Blaine. The point is, an enemy of the Reich has come to Casablanca and we are checking on anybody can be of any help to us.
Rick: My interest in whether Victor Laszlo stays or goes is purely a sporting one.
Strasser: In this case, you have no sympathy for the fox, huh?
Rick: Not particularly. I understand the point of view of the hound, too.

View Quote Ugarte: You know, Rick, watching you just now with the Deutschebank [the German banker], one would think you'd been doing this all your life.
Rick: Oh, what makes you think I haven't?
Ugarte: Oh, nothing. But when you first came to Casablanca, I thought...
Rick: You thought what?
Ugarte: What right do I have to think?..Too bad about those two German couriers, wasn't it?
Rick: They got a lucky break. Yesterday, they were just two German clerks. Today, they're the Honored Dead.
Ugarte: You are a very cynical person, Rick, if you forgive me for saying so.
Rick: I forgive you.
Ugarte: You despise me, don't you?
Rick: Well, if I gave you any thought, I probably would.
Ugarte: But why? Oh, you object to the kind of business I do, huh? But think of all those poor refugees who must rot in this place if I didn't help them. Well that's not so bad, through ways of my own, I provide them with exit visas.
Rick: For a price, Ugarte, for a price.
Ugarte: But think of all the poor devils who can't meet Renault's price. I get it for them for half. Is that so parasitic?
Rick: I don't mind a parasite. I object to a cut-rate one.
Ugarte: Well, Rick, after tonight, I'll be through with the whole business, and I'm leaving finally, this Casablanca.
Rick: Who'd you bribe for your visa, Renault or yourself?
Ugarte: Myself. I found myself much more reasonable.
[Ugarte shows Rick two non-rescindable letters of transit out of Casablanca that allow their possessor to travel without a regular passport or visa]
...
Ugarte: You know Rick, I have many a friend in Casablanca, but somehow, just because you despise me you are the only one I trust. Rick, I hope you are more impressed with me now, huh?
Rick: I heard a rumor that the two murdered German couriers were carrying letters of transit.
Ugarte: Oh, I've heard that rumor too. Poor devils.
Rick: Yes, you're right, Ugarte. I am a little more impressed with you.

View Quote Yvonne: Where were you last night?
Rick: That's so long ago, I don't remember.
Yvonne: Will I see you tonight?
Rick: I never make plans that far ahead.

View Quote [about Ugarte] I'm making out the report now. We haven't quite decided whether he committed suicide or died trying to escape.

View Quote As leader of all the illegal activities in Casablanca, I'm an influential and respected man, but it would not be worth my life to do anything for Monsieur Laszlo. [to Ilsa] You, however, are a different matter.

View Quote I don't interfere with them and they don't interfere with me. In Casablanca, I'm master of my fate.

View Quote I stick my neck out for nobody.

View Quote I was willing to shoot Captain Renault, and I'm willing to shoot you.

View Quote I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy mixed-up world. Someday you'll understand that.

View Quote I'm only a poor corrupt official.