Casablanca (1943) · 88 quotes
5th most-quoted character in Casablanca (1943): in 10 of its 88 quotes
Most scenes with: Captain Louis Renault (8), Rick Blaine (4), Victor Laszlo (3)
Unoccupied France welcomes you to Casablanca.
Strasser Thank you, Captain. It's very good to be here.
You may find the climate of Casablanca a trifle warm, Major.
Strasser Oh, we Germans must get used to all climates, from Russia to the Sahara. But perhaps you were not referring to the weather.
What else, my dear Major?
Strasser What is your nationality?
I'm a drunkard.
And that makes Rick a citizen of the world.
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.
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?
Not particularly my beloved Paris.
Can you imagine us in London?
When you get there, ask me.
Diplomatist.
Strasser Well, how about New York?
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?
I haven't the slightest idea.
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.
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.
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?
Not particularly. I understand the point of view of the hound, too.
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.
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.
Excuse me, gentlemen. Your business is politics. Mine is running a saloon.
I'm sure you'll excuse me if I'm not gracious. But you see Major Strasser, I'm a Czechoslovakian.
Strasser You were a Czechoslovakian. Now you are a subject of the German Reich.
I've never accepted that privilege and I'm now on French soil.
Strasser I strongly suspect that Ugarte left the letters of transit with Mr. Blaine. I would suggest you search the cafe immediately and thoroughly.
If Rick has the letters, he's much too smart to let you find them there.
Strasser You give him credit for too much cleverness. My impression was that he's just another blundering American.
But we mustn't underestimate American blundering. I was with them when they blundered into Berlin in 1918.
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.
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?
I am afraid not. My regrets, Monsieur.
Well, perhaps I shall like it in Casablanca.
Strasser You know the leaders of the underground movement in Paris, in Prague, in Brussels, in Amsterdam, in Oslo, in Belgrade, in Athens.
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.
And the honor of having served the Third Reich.
I was in a German concentration camp for a year. That's honor enough for a lifetime.
Strasser You will give us the names?
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.
Strasser I'm not entirely sure which side you're on.
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?
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.
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.
Strasser You see what I mean? If Laszlo's presence in a cafe can inspire this unfortunate demonstration, what more will his presence in Casablanca bring on? I advise that this place be shut up at once.
But everybody's having such a good time.
Strasser Yes, much too good a time. The place is to be closed.
But I've no excuse to close it!
Strasser Find one. [leaves]
Everybody is to leave here immediately! This cafe is closed until further notice. Clear the room, at once!
How can you close me up? On what grounds?
I am shocked—shocked!—to find that gambling is going on in here!
Your winnings, sir.
Oh, thank you very much. [announcing to the room] Everybody out at once!
