The
1942
Warner Bros. movie,
Casablanca, had one of the most international casts ever assembled. The
movie has gone on to win all sorts of accolades, including the Academy
of Motion Picture's Oscar for "Best Movie". Warner Brothers claimed that 34
nationalities participated in the making of Casablanca, many of who
were
themselves refugees from Europe. If you study the list, you don't quite
come to 34, however many different nationalities were involved.
Interestingly, some of the actors or the people behind the camera were
from a particular country in 1942, that changed borders after the war,
and would be from another country today. Many of the actors, who had small
scenes, were uncredited in the movie. They came from such countries as Germany, Austria, Hungary, France,
Russia, Italy,
Turkey, Algiers, China, Spain, Denmark, England, Ireland and Scotland
along with the United
States. Here is some more information
about those uncredited actors and actresses
that are featured in this timeless movie.
"Round
up the usual suspects"
| Martin Garralaga | Leo White | Gino Corrado | Paul Panzer |
Oliver Blake |
| Henry Rowland | Leon Belasco | Dewey Robinson | George J. Lewis | Michael Mark |
| Franco Corsaro |
Georges De
Gombert |
Lou Marcelle |
Martin Garralaga as the Headwaiter in Rick's Cafe: Born on November 10, 1894 in Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain.
Garralaga,
playing mostly Latin-American characters,
had a long movie career in first Spain and then Hollywood. He would
later on add to it numerous television appearances.He married Isabelle.
In 1942, at age 47, he received a small role as the Headwaiter at Rick's Cafe in Casablanca. He is seen, wearing a black jacket, when Ilsa and Victor first come to Rick's. He greats them and then takes them to their reserved table. For his work in the movie, he was paid $300.
In 1944, he received a bit part as a Portugese news correspondent Manuel Silva, who, along with Gregory Gaye (German banker) is stopped at the door of the courtroom and is not allowed in, in 20th Century Fox's war drama Purple Heart starring Dana Andrews and Richard Conte based on the captured pilots from the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo and including other Casablanca bit actors Torben Meyer (Dutch banker) and Gaye.
In 1944 he received co-starring status in a series of Cisco Kid westerns produced at Monogram. Duncan Renaldo starred as Cisco, with Garralaga as comic sidekick Pancho. In 1946, Monogram producer Scott R. Dunlap realigned the Cisco Kid series; Renaldo remained in the lead, but now Garralaga's character name changed from picture to picture, and sometimes he showed up as the villain. Eventually Garralaga was replaced altogether by Leo Carrillo, who revived the Pancho character.
Garralaga died on June 12, 1981 in Woodland Hills, California at age 86. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California in the Vale of Faith with his wife Isabelle who passed away 12 years earlier. There are more major Hollywood stars buried at Forest Lawn than at any other spot in the world. It is a huge cemetery (over 300 acres) that also contains Casablanca actors Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, John Qualan, S. Z. Sakall and Monte Blue along with producer Hal B. Wallis and composer Max Steiner.
Leo White as Emile, a
waiter in Rick's Cafe: Born
on November 10, 1882 in Graudenz, West Prussia, Germany (now 
Grudziadz,
Poland). After working in England, White was brought to America by
theatrical impresario Daniel Frohman. Starting in 1911, White appeared
in over 350 movies during a 37 year career. In the early silent movies,
White played a
wax-moustached villain, including some of the very first Charlie
Chaplin shorts.
White's first movie was in 1911, when he starred in the title role of the silent movie The Dude. In 1914, White joined the Essanay film company, where he appeared in support of Wallace Beery in the Sweedie comedies. 1915 was a busy year for White, he appeared in his first Charlie Chaplin movie, His New Job. Other Chaplin movies he appeared in that year were; A Night Out, The Champion, In the Park, A Jitney Elopement, Work, A Women, The Bank, Shanghaied and the classic The Tramp where he portrayed one of the thieves. Also that year, he appeared with Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle in Fatty's Faithful Fido.
White moved to Hal Roach's "Rollin'" comedies in 1917, where he co-starred with such funmakers as Harold Lloyd, Harry "Snub" Pollard, Bebe Daniels, and Bud Jamison. White continued making silent movies through the teens into the 1920's. In 1926, he appeared in the early Ben Hur. In the talkie era, he played supporting roles in Columbia and RKO comedies, and bits in features. In the Marx Brothers' Night at the Opera in 1935, for example, he's one of the three bearded Russian aviators.
In 1934, White signed on at Warner Bros. for bits parts and extra roles. Jack Warner kept faded silent movie stars, like White, Monte Blue and Creighton Hale, on the payroll at Warner Bros. keeping them employed with small roles. He appeared in over 170 movies with them, almost everyone of them uncredited. In 1937, White had a small role playing the jester in The Prince and the Pauper with Errol Flynn and Claude Rains. His character is seen in the palace with the royal children and reminded my a little of Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein.
In 1942, at age 59, he received the role of Emile the waiter in Casablanca. He is seen bring drinks when Renault greets Ilsa and Victor Lazlo at their table. Renault tells Emile to bring their best champagne. White responds "very well, sir" and leaves. He is then seen putting the champagne glasses on the table while Major Strasser is talking to Lazlo. Later, he is twirling a new bottle of champagne in an icebucket (though you don't see his face) when Ilse asked him to bring Sam over. Next you can see him helping Sam push the piano over to the table. White is seen again when Rick sees Ilse for the first time and they are joined by Lazlo and Renault. Renault calls him to bring more champagne. Later he brings Renault the check saying, "your check, sir" when instead Rick takes it.
Casablanca was one of ten films White appeared in that year along with Yankee Doodle Dandy with Jimmy Cagney when he is seen early in the movie as one of the backstage actors in 'Peck's Bad Boy'.
In 1944 (the movie was actually filmed three years earlier), he appeared in a bit role in Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant, Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre. Early in the movie, he is seen in a phonebooth when Grant and Priscilla Lane squeeze in and push him out. The following year, he appeared in Hotel Berlin with fellow Casablanca actors, Helmut Dantine (Jan Brandle), Peter Lorre (Ugarte), Torben Meyer (Dutch banker) and Wolfgang Zilzer (man with expired papers).
White's last movie was The Fountainheads with Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal, which was released the year after he died. Fellow Casablanca bit actor Monte Blue also had a small role in the movie.
White died at age 65, on September 20, 1948 in Glendale, California. He is buried in Grand View Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Character actress Madge Blake, who played Aunt Harriet in the Batman television series, is also buried there.
Grudziadz,
Poland). After working in England, White was brought to America by
theatrical impresario Daniel Frohman. Starting in 1911, White appeared
in over 350 movies during a 37 year career. In the early silent movies,
White played a
wax-moustached villain, including some of the very first Charlie
Chaplin shorts.White's first movie was in 1911, when he starred in the title role of the silent movie The Dude. In 1914, White joined the Essanay film company, where he appeared in support of Wallace Beery in the Sweedie comedies. 1915 was a busy year for White, he appeared in his first Charlie Chaplin movie, His New Job. Other Chaplin movies he appeared in that year were; A Night Out, The Champion, In the Park, A Jitney Elopement, Work, A Women, The Bank, Shanghaied and the classic The Tramp where he portrayed one of the thieves. Also that year, he appeared with Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle in Fatty's Faithful Fido.
White moved to Hal Roach's "Rollin'" comedies in 1917, where he co-starred with such funmakers as Harold Lloyd, Harry "Snub" Pollard, Bebe Daniels, and Bud Jamison. White continued making silent movies through the teens into the 1920's. In 1926, he appeared in the early Ben Hur. In the talkie era, he played supporting roles in Columbia and RKO comedies, and bits in features. In the Marx Brothers' Night at the Opera in 1935, for example, he's one of the three bearded Russian aviators.
In 1934, White signed on at Warner Bros. for bits parts and extra roles. Jack Warner kept faded silent movie stars, like White, Monte Blue and Creighton Hale, on the payroll at Warner Bros. keeping them employed with small roles. He appeared in over 170 movies with them, almost everyone of them uncredited. In 1937, White had a small role playing the jester in The Prince and the Pauper with Errol Flynn and Claude Rains. His character is seen in the palace with the royal children and reminded my a little of Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein.
In 1942, at age 59, he received the role of Emile the waiter in Casablanca. He is seen bring drinks when Renault greets Ilsa and Victor Lazlo at their table. Renault tells Emile to bring their best champagne. White responds "very well, sir" and leaves. He is then seen putting the champagne glasses on the table while Major Strasser is talking to Lazlo. Later, he is twirling a new bottle of champagne in an icebucket (though you don't see his face) when Ilse asked him to bring Sam over. Next you can see him helping Sam push the piano over to the table. White is seen again when Rick sees Ilse for the first time and they are joined by Lazlo and Renault. Renault calls him to bring more champagne. Later he brings Renault the check saying, "your check, sir" when instead Rick takes it.
Casablanca was one of ten films White appeared in that year along with Yankee Doodle Dandy with Jimmy Cagney when he is seen early in the movie as one of the backstage actors in 'Peck's Bad Boy'.
In 1944 (the movie was actually filmed three years earlier), he appeared in a bit role in Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant, Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre. Early in the movie, he is seen in a phonebooth when Grant and Priscilla Lane squeeze in and push him out. The following year, he appeared in Hotel Berlin with fellow Casablanca actors, Helmut Dantine (Jan Brandle), Peter Lorre (Ugarte), Torben Meyer (Dutch banker) and Wolfgang Zilzer (man with expired papers).
White's last movie was The Fountainheads with Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal, which was released the year after he died. Fellow Casablanca bit actor Monte Blue also had a small role in the movie.
White died at age 65, on September 20, 1948 in Glendale, California. He is buried in Grand View Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Character actress Madge Blake, who played Aunt Harriet in the Batman television series, is also buried there.
Gino Corrado as a Waiter in Rick's: Born Gino Corrado Liserani on February 9, 1893 in
Florence, Italy. After coming
to America, Corrado
started a career in silent
films that would last 50
years and be involved in almost 300 movies. Somehow Corrado mangaged to
appear in many of the great movies of his time. He is the only actor to
appear in three of the greatest films; Casablanca, Citizen Kane and Gone with the Wind.Corrado often played minor roles, as waiters or butlers. He took the stage name of Eugene Corey before embarking on his long film career, but later changed it to Gino Corrado in the early 1920's.
In 1916, in one of his first movie appearences, he had a bit part in D.W. Griffith's silent film Intolerance in the Babylonian Story of the movie. He continued appearing in silent movies throughout the 1920's.
In 1923, Corrado played Lt. Braschek in Cecil B. DeMille's Adam's Rib. Later that year, he received a bit role as an Israelite slave in DeMille's epic The Ten Commandments. The following year, he appeared as Paul Maran in The Rose of Paris starring Mary Philbin.
He received third billing as Philip La Farge in 1928's The Devil's Skipper starring Montagu Love. In 1929, Corrado appeared in his first 'talkie' the Western The Rainbow.
Corrado played Aramis, one of "The Three Musketeers" in United Artists' The Iron Mask starring Douglas Fairbanks as D'Artagnan. In 1932, he played an Italian soldier in Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms starring Gary Cooper and Helen Hays. Three years later, he appeared in the Marx Brothers' comedy A Night at the Opera. The next year, he played Forrenza in the Western Oregon Trail starring John Wayne. Later that year, he is seen as a strolling violinists in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur along with future Casablanca bit actor Paul Porcasi (man introducing Ferrari). In 1938, he received a small role as a detective in Algiers starring Charles Boyer and Hedy Lemarr and including future Casablanca actors Leonid Kinskey (Sascha).
1939 was a busy year, Corrado received a bit part in Beau Geste starring Gary Cooper, Ray Milland and Robert Preston. Corrado is seen among the new recruits to the Foreign Legion, the one wearing the top hat. Next, he played a barber in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington starring James Stewart and Claude Rains and future Casablanca bit actors Olaf Hytten (man being robbed at the bar) and Frank Puglia (Arab merchant). Finally appearing in Gone With the Wind.
In 1940 Corredo appeared in 12 films. He played a hotel manager in Rebecca. He is seen in front of the hotel at the beginning of the movie being told by Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper (Florence Bates) who is in her car to go look for Joan Fontaine's character. He played a waiter in Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent and is in the scene at the luncheon in the Savoy Hotel in London when Joel McCrea's character gives him a note to take to Laraine Day's character. Later that year, he appeared as a sculpter in Charlie Chaplin's classic The Great Dictator which also had future Casablanca bit actors Leo White (Emil the waiter) and Torben Meyer (Dutch banker).
In 1941, Corrado received a bit part as a waiter named Gino in the classic Citizen Kane starring Orson Wells. He is seen in the beginning of the movie in an Atlantic City nightclub called Club El Rancho when reporter Jerry Thompson (William Alland) is trying to talk to a drunk Susan Alexander Kane (Dorothy Comingore). He is then seen bringing Kane a double "Highball."
In 1942, Corrado received a bit part in Casablanca playing a waiter in Rick's Cafe. He can be seen taking an order from Major Strasser and Captain Renault in the beginning of the movie. Renault recommends to Strasser a bottle of "Veuve Cliquot '26, a good French wine." Corrado responds, "very good, sir" and leaves. For this he was paid $350. In 1943, Corrado appeared in Warner Bros.'s controversial film Mission to Moscow starring Walter Huston and including Casablanca actors Helmut Dantine (Jan Bandel), Louis V. Arco (conspirator), Monte Blue (American), Oliver Blake (waiter in Blue Parrot), Jean Del Val (police radioman), Olaf Hytten (man robbed at bar), Charles La Torre (Captain Tonnelli), Michael Mark (vendor), Frank Puglia (Arab merchant) and Georges Renavent (conspirator).
In 1945, Corrado played a waiter in M-G-M's musical by director Vincente Minnelli called Yolanda and the Thief starring Fred Astaire. Other Casablanca bit players Meyer, Dan Seymour (Abdul), Leon Belasco (dealer), Martin Garralaga (waiter), Ludwig Stössel (Mr. Leutchag), Charles La Torre (Italian officer), Franco Corsaro (conspirator) and Georges Renavent (conspirator) all had roles in the movie.
Corrado and Seymour appeared in the Marx Brothers' comedy A Night in Casablanca in 1946. The following year, he and Puglia appeared as a barber in the Bob Hope/Bing Crosby comedy Road to Rio. In 1948, he appeared in the pre-World War II drama Arch of Triumph starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer and Charles Laughton along with other Casablanca actors Curt Bois (pickpocket) and Oliver Blake (waiter at the Blue Parrot).
After a three year absence from the screen, Corrado, at age 61, appeared in three films in 1954, which would be his last. He played Cathleen Nesbitt's butler in the Oscar nominated Three Coins in the Fountain starring Clifton Webb and Dorothy McGuire and including Casablanca actors La Torre, Alberto Morin (Italian officer) and Norma Varden (English women). Corrado, playing an ambassador, along with Puglia and Blake appeared in Bob Hope's comedy Casanova's Big Night which also starred Joan Fontaine. Finally, he played a shoe salesman in the Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis comedy Living It Up which also included Casablanca actors Meyer and Jean Del Val (police announcer).
Corrado died at the age of 89 on December 23, 1982 in Woodland Hills, California. He is buried in Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, California. This is the same cemetery where Oliver Hardy of "Laurel & Hardy" fame is buried.
Paul Panzer as Paul, a waiter at Rick's Cafe:
Born
Paul Wolfgang Panzerbeiter on November 3, 1872 in Würzburg,
Bavaria in Germany. He immigrated to the United States and got a job
painting movie sets in New York City. He became interested in the movie
industry in 1904 with and got a job with Vitagraph studios in
Manhattan. This would start a career that would span 47 years and would
appear in 341 films.
Panzer appeared in most of Vitagraph's one-reel Shakespearean adaptations of the 1908-1909 season, including Othello (as Cassio), MacBeth (as MacDuff), Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. Refusing to be typecast, he played in everything from romantic dramas to slapstick comedies.
He would be best known for playing the flamboyantly duplicitous villian Koerner in the 1914 silent screen serial The Perils of Pauline. From then on he was typecasted in villainous roles, nearly all of them based on the eye-rolling, lip-smacking Koerner.
As talking pictures came about, actors like Panzer saw their roles diminish. Panzer would still appear in hundreds of films but mostly in small non-speaking roles like waiters.
Born
Paul Wolfgang Panzerbeiter on November 3, 1872 in Würzburg,
Bavaria in Germany. He immigrated to the United States and got a job
painting movie sets in New York City. He became interested in the movie
industry in 1904 with and got a job with Vitagraph studios in
Manhattan. This would start a career that would span 47 years and would
appear in 341 films. Panzer appeared in most of Vitagraph's one-reel Shakespearean adaptations of the 1908-1909 season, including Othello (as Cassio), MacBeth (as MacDuff), Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. Refusing to be typecast, he played in everything from romantic dramas to slapstick comedies.
He would be best known for playing the flamboyantly duplicitous villian Koerner in the 1914 silent screen serial The Perils of Pauline. From then on he was typecasted in villainous roles, nearly all of them based on the eye-rolling, lip-smacking Koerner.
As talking pictures came about, actors like Panzer saw their roles diminish. Panzer would still appear in hundreds of films but mostly in small non-speaking roles like waiters.
In 1942, he received a small role as a
waiter in Rick's Cafe in Casablanca.
He is seen a couple of times.
In one scene he is bringing Major Strasser and his crew to their table
and later he is called over by Rick to bring Ilsa and Victor to table
30 (near Sam but
far away from Major Strasser). [This one took awhile to identify until
I saw him playing a waiter in Mildred
Pierce]
In 1947, he appeared in the Oscar nominated musical The Perils of Pauline with Betty Hutton, not as a villain, surprisingly enough, but as a tuxedoed silent-flick leading man.
One of his last films was an uncredited scene where he is by the merry-go-round in the Alfred Hitchcock 1951 film Strangers on a Train. Two years later he retired from films.
Panzer married Josephine Atkinson and the had two children. Panzer died at age 85 on August 16, 1958 in Hollywood. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angelas.
In 1947, he appeared in the Oscar nominated musical The Perils of Pauline with Betty Hutton, not as a villain, surprisingly enough, but as a tuxedoed silent-flick leading man.
One of his last films was an uncredited scene where he is by the merry-go-round in the Alfred Hitchcock 1951 film Strangers on a Train. Two years later he retired from films.
Panzer married Josephine Atkinson and the had two children. Panzer died at age 85 on August 16, 1958 in Hollywood. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angelas.
Oliver Blake as the Waiter at the Blue Parrot: Born Oliver Prickett on April 4, 1905 in Centralia, Illinois. A famous character
actor, Blake appeared in over 90
films and in a number of
television shows. Lanky
and long-nosed, Blake
was a longtime actor and teacher at the Pasadena Community Playhouse.
His sister-in-law Maudie Prickett, who worked at the Playhouse, also
had
a long movie and television acting
career (she appeared in the movie Thundering
Jets which was directed by Helmut Dantine).Blake's first movie was the comedy New York Town with Fred MacMurray in 1941. He received a number of small uncredited roles in 1941 and 1942. In Alfred Hitchcock's Saboteur, Blake plays a deputy sheriff who is driving the policecar with a handcuffed Robert Cummings in the back seat.
Later in 1942, Blake, age 37, got the bit part of a waiter in the Blue Parrot in Casablanca. Blake is seen in Ferrari's club, wearing a fez, taking orders. He has no lines in the movie, but is very visible in the scenes in the Blue Parrot, especially when he brings a bottle of bourbon to Greenstreet and Bogart.
In 1943, Blake appeared in Warner Bros.'s controversial film Mission to Moscow starring Walter Huston and including Casablanca actors Helmut Dantine (Jan Bandel), Louis V. Arco (conspirator), Monte Blue (American), Gino Corrado (waiter), Jean Del Val (police radioman), Olaf Hytten (man robbed at bar), Charles La Torre (Captain Tonnelli), Michael Mark (vendor), Frank Puglia (Arab merchant) and Georges Renavent (conspirator).
Blake continued to get small uncredited roles through the mid-1940's. He received a credited role in Blonde Alibi in 1946. In 1948, he had the role of Ed Conlon in Moonrise which starred Ethel Barrymore. Later in 1948, he appeared in the pre-World War II drama Arch of Triumph starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer and Charles Laughton along with other Casablanca actors Curt Bois (pickpocket) and Gino Corrado (waiter).
In the 1950's, Blake played the role of Geoduck, the dour-faced Indian neighbor, in Universal's Ma and Pa Kettle movies (he appeared in five of them). He also played the role of Mr. Sudloy in the comedy The Long, Long Trailer with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. A favorite of comedian Bob Hope, Blake showed up in a variety of roles in several Hope comedies, notably as the world's most emaciated Santa Claus in The Seven Little Foys in 1955. In 1957, he played Jake the Bartender in Raintree Country, a Gone with the Wind type Civil War movie starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Cliff. His last movie was playing Ludwig Smiley in the musical Bells are Ringing starring Dean Martin and directed by Vincente Minnelli in 1960.
Blake appeared in a number of television shows throughout the 1960's including I Love Lucy, Space Patrol, Maverick, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin and Zorro.
Blake died on February 12, 1992 in Los Angeles.
Henry Rowland as a German Officer: Born on December 28, 1913 in Omaha, Nebraska. In a 40 year career, Rowland
appeared in 93 films and almost as
many television shows. Rowland had
very Germanic facial features which made him very desired to play
German's in war movies.Rowland's first movie, at age 26, was a bit part in Safari starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in 1940. After that, Rowland had another bit part playing a bellhop in a German hotel in Escape which starred Conrad Veidt as General Kurt von Kolb. Other Casablanca bit actors Helmut Dantine, William Edmunds, Lotte Palfi Andor Wolfgang Zilzer also had bit parts in the film.
As World War II raged in Europe, Rowland started on a string of uncredited parts playing German soldiers in movies; International Squadron, A Yank in the R.A.F., Captains of the Clouds, Dangerously They Live, Ship Ahoy and Berlin Correspondent. In Berlin Correspondent, released in 1942, he is seen at the end of the movie when he is forced at gunpoint by Dana Andrews to fly him and Virginia Gilmore out of Germany to Switzerland. Later we see that Rowland's character is very happy to go. Other future Casablanca actors like Wolfgang Zilzer, Torben Meyer, William Edwards, Richard Ryen and Louis V. Arco also had small roles in the movie.
Early in 1942, Roland received a role in The Pied Piper starring Monty Woolley as an Englishman trying to get out of German occupied France with an increasing amount of children. Otto Preminger portrayed the villainous Major Diessen and included future Casablanca actors Edmunds, Marcel Dalio (Emil), Hans Twardowski (German with Yvonne), Helmut Dantine (Jan Brandel) and Jean Del Val (Police radioman).
Next, Rowland got a bit part in the Warner Bros. war drama Desperate Journey with Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan. He is seen flying a German fighter plane early in the movie before being shot down (the special effects for this one was pretty bad). This movie had five other Casablanca bit actors; Ilka Grünig, Louis V. Arco, Helmut Dantine, Richard Ryen and Hans Twardowski. Next, Rowland plays another Nazi pilot who is kidnapped by Dana Andrews, but willingly flies them to freedom, in Warner Bros.' anti-Nazi movie Berlin Correspondent. Future Casablanca actors like Wolfgang Zilzer, Torben Meyer, Louis V. Arco, Richard Ryen and William Edmunds also had small roles in the movie.
Later in 1942, at age 28, he received another bit part playing a German officer in Casablanca. Early on you see Rowland, wearing a monacle, saluting Major Strasser just before he greets Ilsa and Victor at their table. Later, he is at the table with Strasser and Renault sipping champagne. Next, he is seen entering Rick's Cafe with a number of other German officers behind Major Strasser before the "Wacht am Rhein" scene. Rowland is seen behind the piano hitting it with his fist as they sing.
Following this, he appeared in Edge of Darkness as a German corporal who likes to humiliate Norwegian townspeople. In Sahara with Humphrey Bogart, he plays a German soldier who is captured and later killed by another German soldier.
Rowland enlisted in the army during World War II and rose to the rank of corporal. He played an American flight surgeon in 1944's Winged Victory, which billed under his military ranking as Corporal Henry Rowland.
Even after the end of World War II, Rowland continued to play Nazi's in movies. In 1947, he played a Gestapo officer in 13 Rue Madeleine which starred Jimmy Cagney and Richard Conte. Jean Del Val has a bit part in this movie playing a Frenchman. The following year, he played Hermann Zinzer in To the Victor. Later that year, Rowland played Erich Heindorf, a former German officer in the French Foreign Legion in French IndoChina (Vietnam) in Rogues' Regiment.
Rowland continued to make films into the 1950's. He appeared in Ten Tall Men, another French Foreign Legion film which starred Burt Lancaster in 1951.
In 1942, Rowland starred in his first Western, The Phantom Plainsmen. In the 1950's, he would appear in many Westerns; Hired Gun, as Mike McClure in Wagon Train in 1952 with Gene Autry, Wyoming Roundup, Rebel City, Topeka, Gun Fury with Rock Hudson, Vigilante Terror, Wyoming Renegades, The Gambler from Natchez, Two Guns and a Badge, Gun Duel in Durango and Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend with Randolph Scott in 1957.
Rowland never stopped playing Germans in movies either; He played a Nazi officer in El Alaméin in 1953, a German soldier in Attack with Jack Palance in 1957 (Casablanca bit actor Louis Mercier also had a small role in this movie), a German tank commander in Imitation General with Glenn Ford in 1958, a Gestapo officer in Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse again with Glenn Ford along with Paul Henreid in 1962, a German soldier in 36 Hours with James Garner and Eva Marie Saint (George Dee, Lieutenant Casselle, plays a French informer) and a German sailor in Morituri with Marlon Brando and Yul Brynner both in 1965.
Rowland had a larger role as Kurgan in the television movie U-238 and the Witch Doctor which stared Clayton Moore (the Lone Ranger) in 1966. Rowland also had guest appearances in numerous television shows, many with Western themes. These included The Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, The Cisco Kid, The Roy Rogers Show, The Gene Autry Show, The Adventures of Kit Carson, Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Jr, Tales of the Texas Rangers, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Adventures of Champion, Cheyenne, Tales of Wells Fargo, Wagon Train, The Texan, The Rifleman, Rawhide, Johnny Ringo, Outlaws, Laramie and Gunsmoke. He also appeared in other non-Western television shows like Perry Mason, Zorro, Combat!, Captain Midnight, Superman, The Incredible Hulk and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Among his last films, Rowland had a bit part of a dentist in Ian Fleming's Diamonds Are Forever in 1971. After that he appeared in two films as an aging Martin Bormann in Supervixons and Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixons. Rowland appeared in one last movie after that. In 1979, at age 65, he had a bit part of an Amish farmer in The Frisco Kid. Rowland does have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Rowland died on April 26, 1984 in Northridge, California at age 70. He is buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery in California. He was joined by his wife, Eleanor in 1999.
Leon Belasco as a Dealer: Born Leonid Simeonovich Berladsky in Odessa, Russia (Today it's in the Ukraine) on October 11, 1902. He prepared for a musical career by studying in Japan and Manchuria. For several years, Belasco was first violinist for the Tokyo Symphony, and later led his own orchestra.
Belasco came to America and a big band that mostly played the hotels in and around New York City. He introduced the Andrews Sisters with his band. When his family moved to California, he began finding odd jobs around Hollywood. He tried acting in 1926, when he was in a silent movie, The Best People. However, acting jobs were few and far between, so Belasco played violin to make enough money to eat between movies. Once he formed his own band he had plenty of engagements all over the West and later he toured the East Coast. By 1936 the band was working with the Andrew Sisters and playing live radio remotes.
Acting was Belasco's first love.
While on a season break from a hotel engagement, he went back to
Hollywood for a bit movie part. He never lead a band again. This
began a career specializing in portraying eccentric or befuddled
European and ethnic characters, usually
musicians or waiters,
that would include over 100 movies in almost 40 years.
His next appearence was in 1938 with a couple of uncredited bit parts in The Saint in New York (a Simon Templar movie) and Dramatic School featuring Lana Turner. Belasco appeared in Topper Takes A Trip and Broadway Serenade in 1939.
In 1940, while appearing as a waiter in It's a Date, which featured S.Z. Sakall, he helped compose the song "Rhythm of the Islands" for the movie.
Later that year, Belasco plays Comrade Baronoff, the "Communist" hotel manager in King Vidor's comedy Comrade X starring Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr along with other Casablanca actors Michael Mark (vendor) and Georges Renavent (conspirator). Belasco is in one of the best scenes in the movie. In one of the hotel rooms which Clark Gable has talked his way into, Belasco tries to throw Clark Gable out of the room so that the German correspondent, played by Sig Rugman, can stay there (Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are 'friends' in 1940). Gable pretends to get a phone call telling him that Germany just invaded the Soviet Union. Believing Gable's lie, Belasco grabs Rugman, and throws him out instead.
Belasco was very busy in 1942 apppearing
in 13 films. He played Leon Brink in the comedy Henry Aldrich, Editor. He playeed a
waiter in Roxie Hart with
Ginger Rodgers. Belasco had a large role as Leo in The Night Before the Divorce. He
played Luke, a prison inmate who also played the violin, in Always in My Heart with Walter
Huston. He had a small part in Jimmy Cagney's Yankee Doodle Dandy when he seen
with Cohen's family at a boarding house dinner table. He is doing as
poorly as the Cohen's and is forced by Madame Bartholdi (played by
Odette Myrtil) to move to the end of the table with them (away from the
good food). Next, he ran a
flower store in the classic Holiday
Inn with Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby. He was Yusef the
undertaker in Road to Morocco
with Crosby and Bob Hope. His next appearence was in 1938 with a couple of uncredited bit parts in The Saint in New York (a Simon Templar movie) and Dramatic School featuring Lana Turner. Belasco appeared in Topper Takes A Trip and Broadway Serenade in 1939.
In 1940, while appearing as a waiter in It's a Date, which featured S.Z. Sakall, he helped compose the song "Rhythm of the Islands" for the movie.
Later that year, Belasco plays Comrade Baronoff, the "Communist" hotel manager in King Vidor's comedy Comrade X starring Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr along with other Casablanca actors Michael Mark (vendor) and Georges Renavent (conspirator). Belasco is in one of the best scenes in the movie. In one of the hotel rooms which Clark Gable has talked his way into, Belasco tries to throw Clark Gable out of the room so that the German correspondent, played by Sig Rugman, can stay there (Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are 'friends' in 1940). Gable pretends to get a phone call telling him that Germany just invaded the Soviet Union. Believing Gable's lie, Belasco grabs Rugman, and throws him out instead.
Finally, Belasco, at age 39, received a bit role as a dealer in Rick's Cafe in Casablanca [Editor's Note: I have not been able to pick him out in the movie].
In 1944, Belasco appeared as a waiter in the war drama The Conspirators starring Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre along with other Casablanca bit actors Monte Blue (American), Marcel Dalio (Emil), William Edmunds (conspirator), Martin Garralaga (head waiter), Gregory Gaye (German banker) and Louis Mercier (diamond smuggler).
In 1945, Belasco played Director Cedrick Borris in the comedy Hollywood and Vine. Later that year, he played a taxi driver, of a cab that has to be pushed by Fred Astaire and Frank Morgan, in M-G-M's Vincente Minnelli musical called Yolanda and the Thief. Other Casablanca bit players Garralaga, Ludwig Stössel (Mr. Leutchag), Charles La Torre (Italian officer), Gino Corrado (waiter), Franco Corsaro (conspirator), Torben Meyer (Dutch banker) and Georges Renavent (conspirator) all had roles in the movie. In 1948, Belasco had a small part as Don de Cordoba in Adventures of Don Juan with Errol Flynn.
In 1950, Belasco and La Torre played villians in Bomba and the Hidden City. Later that year, he played Hassam in Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion. In 1952, Belasco, wearing a turban, played Babu in Son of Ali Baba with Tony Curtis. The following year, he appeared in Call Me Madam.
In 1960, Belasco played orchesra leader named Arturo in Can-Can starring Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine and Maurice Chevalier along with other Casablanca actors Jean Del Val and Marcel Dalio. He appeared in The Art of Love in 1965.
Between 1953 and 1978, Belasco had guest appearences in numerous television shows including; Little House on the Prairie, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., My Three Sons, The Dick Van Dyke Show, My Favorite Martian, The Lucy Show, The Twilight Zone (the episode with the watch that stops everything), Maverick, Bronco and I Love Lucy. In 1960 and 61, Belasco played Mr. Appopoplous in the television series My Sister Eileen.
Being able to speak Russian, he was a dialogue director in Norman Jewison's comedy The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming in 1966.
His last film was Superdad in 1973 starring Bob Crane were he played a limousine driver. Later in 1976, he played Dimitri Subakov in a television movie Woman of the Year.
Belasco died of stroke complications at age 85 on June 1, 1988 in Orange, California.
Dewey Robinson as One of the usual suspects: born on August 17, 1898 in New Haven,
Connecticut. A character actor, Robinson
appeared in 240
movies, mostly in small uncredited rolls, in a 20 year career (that's
an average of 12 movies a year) cut short by his early death. Robinson majored in athletics at Rutgers University before beginning his theatrical career in 1919. He was a member of various stock companies and the Provincetown Players on Cape Cod, and was subsequently in the Broadway and touring company productions of shows such as The Last Warning and Lucky Sam McCarver.
The 6' 1" Robinson has been described as a barrel-chested American actor who was much in demand during the gangster movies of the early 1930'. The New York Times wrote, "few actors could convey muscular menace and mental vacuity as quickly and as well as the mountainous Mr. Robinson."
His first movie, at age 33, was an uncredited part in George Cukor's Tarnished Lady with Tallulah Bankhead in 1931. his firs large role was as a polo-playing mobster in Edward G. Robinson's The Little Giant in 1933. That same year, he portrayed a bored slavemaster in the outrageously erotic "No More Love" number in Eddie Cantor's Roman Scandals. Later he received a good role as Spider Kane, a man devoted to Mae West, in She Done Him Wrong (this is the movie where she uses the famous line, "Why don't you come up sometime and see me?"). In 1935, Robinson played a plug-ugly ward heeler at odds with beauty contest judge Ben Turpin in Keystone Hotel.
Robinson was a member of two movie “stock” companies during the first half of the ’40's. at RKO studios, Val Lewton used him in important supporting roles, while at Paramount, Preston Sturges gave Robinson the most steady working relationship of his career, beginning with The Great McGinty in 1940, in which he played Benny Felgman.
In 1942, at age 43, he received a very small part in Casablanca. He is seen in the opening of the movie with the French police 'rounding up the usual suspects.' When Lieutenant Casselle is blowing his whistle, Robinson, unshaven and wearing a straw hat with a small tear on the right side next to the brim, is the first to be seen. He is turning around at the sound of the whistle. He is on screen for less then five seconds and has no lines.
In 1945, Robinson got a small part in The Bells of St. Mary's with Ingrid Bergman, when he is seen pulling Bogardus (Henry Travers) from under a truck. Robinson played small roles in most of Sturges’ movies through 1949’s The Beautiful Blonde of Bashful Bend.
In 1950, Robinson had a lengthy unbilled role as a Brooklyn Dodger fan in The Jackie Robinson Story, slowly metamorphosing from a brainless bigot to Jackie's most demonstrative supporter.
His last movie, released after his death, was a uncredited role as Mike the bartender in a B-crime drama called Roadblock. This one one of four movies released the year after he died.
Robinson suffered a heart attack and died on December 11, 1950 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 52.
George J. Lewis as the Haggling Arab monkey seller: Born on December 10, 1903 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. After coming to the United States, Lewis appeared in 263 movies in a 42 year career. A dashing six-foot tall black-haired Mexican-born actor who had the handsome attractiveness of a Rudolph Valentino and Ramon Navarro, but remained in the minor ranks throughout his career, primarily in westerns and intrigues.
His first appearance was in the silent movie The Spanish Dancer in 1923. Lewis was discovered by a Universal Studios talent scout and signed to star in a series of shorts for them in the twenties titled The Collegians. He did well and continued making silent movies.
In 1928, Smith married Mary Louise Lohman. The following year, he appeared in Universal's College Love. Even though College Love was a success, Lewis did not renew his contract and missed a golden opportunity. Smith did receive the lead role in Wolf Dog with Rin Tin Tin, as well as a part in Whispering Shadow with Bela Lugosi, both in 1933 and a major supporting role in the serial Fighting Marines in 1935.
Though his serial career was growing, Lewis made many appearances in feature films. They include a radio operator in Storm Over the Andes, an island native in Red Morning and a reporter in Headline Woman, all in 1935.
In 1942, Lewis started obtaining gangster roles in many films like The Falcon's Brother with George Sanders, Phantom Killer and Sin Town with Broderick Crawford. However, it was the serials that he really made a mark. That year, he played an Arab henchman in the movie serial Perils of Nyoka. Casablanca bit actor Georges Renavent also appeared in it.
Later in 1942, Smith received the part of a haggling monkey seller on the streets of Casablanca in Casablanca [Editor's Note: I have not been able to pick him out in the movie as of yet].
Next, Lewis played the heavy in Daredevils of the West, and then had single episode appearances in Spy Smasher, Gang Busters, Masked Marvel and Secret Service in Darkest Africa. As Lugo in Republic's 1943 serial G-Men Vs. the Black Dragon, he was one of a pair of Japanese henchmen. In 1947, he played a kidnapped American sailor in the comedy Slave Girl with George Brent.
1944 was another busy year for Lewis. He was Matson in the serial Captain America, one of the most sadistic heavies as chief henchman of madman Lionel Atwill. Lewis played a crippled agent, Paul Arranto, in the feature film Charlie Chan in the Secret Service. Playing another badguy as Morgan in the serial Tiger Woman, who gave Linda Stirling a lot of trouble. In Haunted Harbor, he was a native of an island who was really a spy for Roy Barcroft. Later that year in Black Arrow, he was Snake-That-Walks, the head of a "good" band of Indians. Casablanca bit actor Martin Garralaga also appeared in the serial. He also appeared briefly in Desert Hawk, with Gilbert Roland. Lewis had one of his better performances in a serial as Blue Feather, a college-bred Indian who returns to his reservation and helps defeat crooked Indian agent Leroy Mason in The Phantom Rider. Also that year, Lewis received his first lead role in the western Zorro's Black Whip. He plays government agent Vic Gordon who along with Linda Stirling stops bad guy Francis McDonald so Idaho can get statehood.
The following year, Lewis goes from good to bad again as crime lord and bad guy Jim Belmont in Federal Operator 99. In 1946, Lewis played Jan Field, an artist in Missing Lady. Later that year, he played one of George Macready's henchman in Gilda with Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. He also played a criminal boss in Passkey to Danger which also featured Casablanca bit actor Gregory Gaye. In 1947, Lewis played Blue Chip Winslow in Blackmail and later a Mexican revolutionary in Pirates of Monterey. In 1950, Lewis played Captain Rodriguez, a Mexican Police officer, in One Way Street. The following year, he appeared in bit role in Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man.
From 1957 to 1959, Smith appeared, in one of his most recognized roles, as Guy Williams' stately father Don Alejandro de la Vega in the Walt Disney's Zorro series on television. He also played the role in two Zorro movies; The Sign of Zorro and Zorro, the Avenger. In 1961, Smith had a small uncredited role as Chief Iron Shirt in the John Wayne western The Comancheros.
From 1949 to 1969, Lewis appeared in over 50 television shows including such westerns as The Lone Ranger, The Gene Autry Show, Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, The Range Rider, The Roy Rogers Show, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Jr, The Adventures of Champion, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, Broken Arrow, Bonanza, Laredo and Daniel Boone. He also had guest appearences in other television shows such as Superman, 77 Sunset Strip, Disneyland, Get Smart and Family Affair.
His last film was Indian Paint in 1965 were he played Nopawallo. He appeared in a number of television movies over the next two years. His last was as a Spanish delegate in the film Batman in 1966.
Smith died of a stroke, two days short of his 92nd birthday, on December 8, 1995 in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He was cremated and the ashes are held privately.
Michael Mark as a Vendor in Casablanca: Born on March 15, 1886 in Russia. After coming to the United States, Mark appeared in over 120 movies in a 40 year career.
In 1940, Mark played a Russian bellhop named Goronoff in King Vidor's comedy Comrade X starring Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr along with other Casablanca actors Leon Belasco (waiter) and Georges Renavent (conspirator). He is seen in the hotel when a women's bed is missing. Later he brings a small sofa for her.
In 1942, Mark received a small part in Casablanca [Editor's Note: I have not been able to pick him out yet in the film].
In 1943, Mark appeared in Warner Bros.'s controversial film Mission to Moscow starring Walter Huston and including Casablanca actors Helmut Dantine (Jan Bandel), Louis V. Arco (conspirator), Monte Blue (American), Oliver Blake (waiter in Blue Parrot), Gino Corrado (waiter), Jean Del Val (police radioman), Olaf Hytten (man robbed at bar), Charles La Torre (Captain Tonnelli), Frank Puglia (Arab merchant) and Georges Renavent (conspirator).
He is best remembered for his role as the father of the little girl Maria in "Frankenstein" (1931). He also appeared in "Four Sons" (1928), "The Black Cat" (1934), "The Glass Key" (1935), "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" (1940), "Arise, My Love" (1940), "Casablanca" (1942), "Back to Bataan" (1945), "Appointment with Murder" (1948), "Phantom from Space" (1953), "Silk Stockings" (1957), "The Brothers Karamazov" (1958) and "Hello, Dolly" (1969).
Mark, age 88, died on February 3, 1975 in Woodland Hills, California. His remains were cremated and the ashes were scattered at sea.
Franco Corsaro as a French
Police Officer:
Born on August 19,
1900 in New
York City.
Corsaro's first film was an Italian language American film
directed by Hal Roach called Luigi
La Volpe in 1931 and included Casablanca
bit actor Paul Porcasi (Native introducing Ferrari). This would start a
career that would include 47 movies in the 1930's to the 1960's. His
next movie came three years later, a small part in an English language
comedy Let's Live Tonight
with Casablanca bit actor Leo
White (waiter).
In 1942, Corsaro received a small part in Casablanca playing one of the numerous French police officers in the film.
Corsaro's last feature film was a bit part in Vincente Minnelli's Two Weeks in Another Town starring Kirk Douglas and Edward G. Robinson and including Casablanca bit actor Alberto Morin (French officer insulting Yvonne) in 1962. He, and fellow Casablanca bit actor Georges Renavent (conspirator) appeared in a television movie version of the 1942 Republic serial Spy Smasher called Spy Smasher Returns in 1966.
From 1956 to 1978, Corsaro had a guest appearence in 12 television shows including; The Donna Reed Show, Thriller, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I Spy and Cannon. His first television appearence was as Vittorio Filippi in the "Lucy's Italian Movie" episode of I Love Lucy in 1956. His last television appearence, at age 78, was on Baretta in 1978.
Corsaro, age 81, died four years later on April 19, 1982 in Los Angeles, California.
In 1942, Corsaro received a small part in Casablanca playing one of the numerous French police officers in the film.
Corsaro's last feature film was a bit part in Vincente Minnelli's Two Weeks in Another Town starring Kirk Douglas and Edward G. Robinson and including Casablanca bit actor Alberto Morin (French officer insulting Yvonne) in 1962. He, and fellow Casablanca bit actor Georges Renavent (conspirator) appeared in a television movie version of the 1942 Republic serial Spy Smasher called Spy Smasher Returns in 1966.
From 1956 to 1978, Corsaro had a guest appearence in 12 television shows including; The Donna Reed Show, Thriller, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I Spy and Cannon. His first television appearence was as Vittorio Filippi in the "Lucy's Italian Movie" episode of I Love Lucy in 1956. His last television appearence, at age 78, was on Baretta in 1978.
Corsaro, age 81, died four years later on April 19, 1982 in Los Angeles, California.
Georges De Gombert as ___?___: Born
on April 1, 1901, in France. <><>His
first film was playing
a waiter in Ernst Lubitsch's La
Veuve Joyeuse starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald
and including Casablanca bit
actor Georges Renavent (conspirator) in 1934. Four years later, he
appeared in Warner Bros.'s musical comedy Gold Diggers in Paris along with Casablanca actors Renavent, Leo
White (Emil the waiter) and Curt Bois (pickpocket). Later that year, he
appeared in another musical comedy Artists
and Models Abroad starring Jack Benny and including Casablanca actors Renavent and
Louis Mercier (diamond Smuggler).
In 1942, at age 41, he is listed as being in Casablanca [Editor's Note: I have not been able to pick him out yet].
De Gombert died on August 24, 1974 in San Mateo, California.
In 1942, at age 41, he is listed as being in Casablanca [Editor's Note: I have not been able to pick him out yet].
De Gombert died on August 24, 1974 in San Mateo, California.
Lou Marcelle as The Narrator: Born on January 3, 1909, Marcelle became a famous radio character actor in the 1930's and into the 40's. His deep voice made him a natural to do narration's in movies. In 1940, he was hired to do the narration in Cross Country Detours, a ten-minute animation film.
Two years later, he was hired to do the opening narration in Casablanca. His voice can be heard describing the journeys of refugees across Europe, from Paris to Marseilles across the Mediterranean to Oran and across the rim of Africa to Casablanca, "Here, the fortunate ones, through money or influence, or luck, might obtain exit visas and scurry to Libson, and from Libson to the New World. But the others wait in Casablanca -- and wait -- and wait -- and wait."
In 1943, his busiest year in movies, he would do the narration in five movies, including Background to Danger with Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre and Destination Tokyo with Cary Grant. In 1944, Marcelle did the narration for Action in Arabia which featured Casablanca actor Marcel Dalio (Emile) along with Doughgirls and Musical Movieland. Marcelle wouldn't do another movie until 1946, when he did the the Errol Flynn comedy Never Say Goodbye which also featured Casablanca actor S.Z. Sakall (Carl).
In 1949, Marcelle got an actual part in a movie when he had the role of Dan Cutter in The Riders of the Pony Express. This did not launch a movie career, in fact, it ended there. Marcelle did one last narration in a Ginger Rodgers movie Perfect Strangers in 1950.
Marcelle died on October 4, 1994 in Glendale, Arizona.
