1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

11.TRANQUILITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates

For the first time in the history of cinema, ‘Citizen Kane’ (1941, the Orson Welles masterpiece considered and voted as the greatest film ever made) has been displaced from its pedestal by the 1942 timeless classic, ‘Casablanca .’ A few weeks ago, the prestigious London daily, The Times, conducted a poll of ‘100 Great Movies of All Time’ and Mike Curtiz’s ‘Casablanca’ (the Humphrey Bogart-Ingrid Bergman starrer), topped the list.

‘Casablanca,’ ever since its release over 60 years ago, remains the favourite of moviegoers around the world, including India.

Beautifully written by the bald twins Phillip and Julius Epstein, Howard Koch, and Casey Robinson (without credit), the movie contains some of the most famous lines ever spoken, such as “Here’s to looking at you, kid…” or “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine,” and the most famous of them all, “Round up the usual suspects!”

Ironically, the often quoted line, “Play it again, Sam,” is never spoken by Humphrey Bogart in the film!

 

                                           A classic: Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca.

‘Casablanca’s’ popularity can be judged by an interesting anecdote: When the ‘Colorization’ concept was launched in America, a lot of black and white movies were converted into colour and ‘Casablanca’ was one of them. It created a furore as die-hard followers considered it a blasphemy, so much so that the producers of the colour version were forced to withdraw every print sold and replace them with black and white ones.

When the film was released in 1942, the then U. S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt requested Warner Brothers for a special show at the White House. The reason being, the President explained, ‘Casablanca’ in Spanish meant ‘White House.’ The producers’ were obviously overjoyed.

‘Casablanca’ was a milestone movie, as it was not only a major box-office success but also critically acclaimed. It won many awards including Oscars for the Best Picture, Director and Screenplay.

The background

The background on how the film was made is interesting. In 1938, New York city teacher and playwright, Murray Burnett and his wife went to Europe on a holiday. They stopped over in Vienna at a time when Hitler and his men had made inroads into the city and Burnett saw the growth of Nazism. Fleeing the city, the couple moved to France. They visited a nightclub in a small French town. The motley crowd of men and women at the nightclub were of various nationalities, including refugees who sought to escape the rising scourge of Hitler. The patrons were entertained by an African-American jazz pianist. The setting inspired Burnett and he told his wife that it would make an excellent backdrop for a play!

Back home, he discussed it with his collaborator Joan Alison. In early 1940, they wrote a play called, “Everybody Comes to Rick’s.” Attempts to produce the play on Broadway, (New York) failed and it was offered to Warner Brothers.

 

Hal Wallis, who was then a producer at Warners, bought it for $20, 000 (a fortune at that time) even though Jack Warner was not keen on it. Unlike the average Hollywood film, ‘Casablanca’ was shot without the completed script. The director, Mike Curtiz, had no idea what the scenes would be on a particular shooting day and only sheets of the script, which was still being written, would be handed over to him on the set!

No one knew how the story would end as writers Epstein Brothers and Howard Koch were still working on the scenes. It was a wonder that it got made at all.

 

 

The Storyline

The action took place in a cafe in Casablanca during the early days of the Second World War (1939- 1945), with America entering the war in December 1941. The café, which combined a bar and gambling wheel, was owned by Ricks (Humphrey Bogart), a tough and seemingly unsentimental guy. He was surprised when his former sweetheart, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), enterd the place. She was accompanied by a noted Czech Resistance leader, whom the Nazis were after.  

Ilsa was married when Rick fell in love with her in Paris. She was under the impression that the Germans had killed her husband in prison but in fact he had escaped the Gestapo. On the day she and Rick were to leave Paris, she came to know that her husband was alive. So she went to meet him and that was why she did not turn up at the railway station. Unaware of it all, Rick turned bitter and cynical. Rick had with him two transit letters that would enable two persons to get out of Casablanca to freedom in America.

Into this unusual love triangle, a number of interesting elements were woven in by the screenwriters. The uncertainty of the script and tale, perhaps, contributed to its success to a large measure. So the actors also did not know how it would all end and it showed in their performance!

Talented cast

Apart from Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the film also had Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and the African-American Dooley Wilson (Sam, the pianist). The talented actors possibly provided the icing on the cake.

 

Great_Casablanca

Ingrid Bergman was not the first choice to play Ilsa. Warner Brothers had originally offered it to the glamorous Hedy Lamarr. But as the script was not ready and what was ready was being changed and there was a lot of confusion, she opted out. Bergman was somewhat new to Hollywood having migrated in 1939 and she was also under contract to the movie mogul David O. Selznick. So she walked into the movie and immortality.

(When the film was released in Los Angeles, in December 1942, America had entered the war and Casablanca was in the news as the place where the Allies’ leaders, Roosevelt and Churchill, had scheduled to meet to discuss the war.)

Even now ‘Casablanca,’ not surprisingly, continues to be the all time favourite of moviegoers. A lady remarked to this writer, “Wonder why movies of this kind are not made any more!” This film belongs to another world, place and era, which has, sadly, vanished forever.

 

 

FERLINGHETTI IN ROME, SQUATTERS AND TWO PASSIONS

 

 

 

Here comes the most important songs which were played a crucial role in my 26yrs of life...yeap, these four songs were my most favourite songs….without these songs i can't imagine my life..I just love it J

 

1. In the burning heart
2. The eye of the Tiger
3. No easy way out
4. Sweetest Victory

 

After listening to them I’m sure you too fell in love with those sweet songs!.

I love to here your comments on these songs J.

 

Oops! i forgot to tell you...while listening these 1st two songs ...please close your eyes...and focus on the words keenly...just concentrate..and forget the world:)

 

  

1. In the burning heart :

 

 

This song is my most favourite unarguably.... I can say even the best ….the song which always given me strength to overcome so many hurdles in my life…, The song which inspired even continuously inspiring me to go for many things considering my circumstances …so, I’m very fortunate enough to watch one of the greatest movie of Stallone’s. But irony is it took me almost a year to post on my blog…of course, it might be late but not gone astray. As we all know Good Things Come in Small Packages. J

 

Bythway here I also posted the lyrics of the song which gives you more feel and thrust while listening the song …makes you involve with more focus and probably forget the world and feel like you the only soul who exists.

 

Every word in lyrics is just awesome...i'm just loss of words..:-) to express my feelings!

 

Two worlds collide

Rival nations

It's a primitive clash

Venting years of frustrations

Bravely we hope

Against all hope

 

There is so much at stake

Seems our freedom's up

Against the ropes

Does the crowd understand?

 

Is it East versus West

Or man against man

Can any nation stand alone

 

CHORUS

 

In the burning Heart

Just about to burst

There's a quest for answers

An unquenchable thirst

In the darkest night

Rising like a spire

In the burning heart

The unmistakable fire

In the burning heart

 

In the warriors code

There's no surrender

Though his body says stop

His spirit cries - never!

Deep in our soul

A quiet ember

Know it's you against you

It's the paradox

That drives us on

It's a battle of wills

In the heat of attack

It's the passion that kills

The victory is yours alone

 

CHORUS (sing chorus 3 times)

 

In the burning heart

 

1.  The eye of the Tiger:

 

 

 

 

 

"Eye of the Tiger", REALLY, brings a (rare) smile to my (oft-sullen) face!! This occurs, when I APPLY, its' inspiring lyrics to my life...

 

"Just a man, and his WILL, to survive"

"Rising up, to the challenge, of our rivals" (my desires, impecuniousness & fear)

 

I'm STEELING my mind, to rise up, and meet the challenge that "Doubt” presents!! This encouraging song helps me out IMMENSELY!! I can't believe that I'd just about, totally forgotten this song.

But when I heard it again, I was OVERWHELMED, with JOY and INSPIRATION!! This ENTIRE album is both, Timeless AND Priceless!! Admittedly, I had no idea that Survivor made so MANY, other quality songs!! However” Eye" transcends, merely being a” song" to me...It's been my lifes' THEME.

 

Here’s the lyrics of the song:

 

 

 

Risin' up, back on the street

Did my time, took my chances

Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet

Just a man and his will to survive

 

So many times, it happens too fast

You change your passion for glory

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past

You must fight just to keep them alive

 

Chorus:

It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight

Risin' up to the challenge of our rival

And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night

And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger

 

Face to face, out in the heat

Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry

They stack the odds 'til we take to the street

For we kill with the skill to survive

 

Chorus

 

Risin' up, straight to the top

Have the guts, got the glory

Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop

Just a man and his will to survive

 

Chorus

 

The eye of the tiger (repeats out)...

 

3. No easy way out:

 

 

 

 

Well the music is good; it may not rise to the heights of inspiration of the first two songs. But amazing inspiration it does give and gets me going all the time... J

 Here's the lyrics of song:

We're not indestructible,

Baby better get that straight.

I think it's unbelievable,

How you give into the hands of fate.

Some things are worth fighting for,

Some feelings never die.

I'm not asking for another chance,

I just wanna know why.

 

(Chorus)

There's no easy way out,

There's no shortcut home.

There's no easy way out,

Giving in can't be wrong.

 

I don't wanna pacify you,

I don't wanna drag you down.

But I'm Feeling like a prisoner,

Like A Strange in a no-name town.

I see all the angry faces,

Afraid that could be you and me.

Talking about what might have been,

Thinking about what it used to be.

 

(Chorus)

There's no easy way out,

There's no shortcut home.

There's no easy way out,

Giving in can't be wrong.

 

Baby Baby we can shed this skin,

We can know how we feel inside.

Instead of going down an endless road,

Not knowing if we're dead or alive.

Some things are worth fighting for,

Some feelings never die.

I'm not asking for another chance,

I just wanna know why.

 

(Chorus)

There's no easy way out,

There's no shortcut home.

There's no easy way out,

givin in, givin in, can't be wrong.

 

4. Sweetest Victory:  

 

 

Here’s comes a song which gives a relief for the person who wins at last his battle against all the odds …J right now  I’m really waiting for my victory in life …..In short run. I just wanna win this CAT battle…J I’m sure I come out with bang! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s lyrics of the song:

Deepest cut that can be healed

By the gun...or by the sword:

It's hope that you can turn yourself

Outside at the end of the war

The cold sweat sticks...to your heart.

Your mouth gets drier and drier.

The battle inside rages on.

Your pulse races higher and higher.

 

CHORUS

Sweetest Victory; I love you more than life itself.

Sweetest Victory; you give me strength to know myself.

Oh, Sweet Victory; my soul is yours and the glory is mine.

Sweetest Victory; the far-off stars will always shine.

 

The tooth like nails rip me up.

I can make it disappear.

Time to forget has passed me by.

There's no place to hide my fear.

Hate and pain filled me up.

Every minute takes longer and longer.

I bead of sweat 'cause drops of blood

Makes me stronger and stronger.

 

Chorus repeats.....

To know is the first step towards transformation. To know and not act on what we know is equal to not knowing. So action is the next step. To deeply reflect and see the hidden meaning is reflection. To be at peace with what is and to be a witness to it is meditation. If you are not at peace with what is, then you are in conflict with it. This creates sorrow.

        You have to learn to be in harmony, not in conflict. Sorrow exists when you expect things that are momentary in nature to be permanent. This illusion leads to sorrow. To let go of the sorrow involves letting go of one’s notion of things as being permanent. God or existence in its infinite wisdom made impermanence not as misery but as a flow of change. To be with change and letting go of the addiction to be permanent is meditative living.  The essence of life is change but ignorance does not accept this fact. It prefers to remain in illusion. Hence, you experiences sorrow. All that is needed is to raise the level of awareness and see the truth in what is.

      See that you are not the body but an observer, a witness. The body is constantly changing. See the beauty in change. See the newness in change. See the surprise in change. Don’t resist change, but learn to be in harmony with it. Enjoy the change. But don’t cling to it. Bring this meditative awareness. Drop the myth that things are static.

      See that the mind is nothing but thoughts. Thoughts are like clouds. You are just like the sky,   

which is a witness. Thoughts come and go but you are just an onlooker. Being a witness is the essence of meditation. Even if it is not easy, enjoy and play by practising being a witness. You find it is not easy because you get identified. Identification becomes a pattern or habit. Change this habit to not being identified.
   Identification is the result of the negative energies in us. We call them toxins in our beings due to wrong thinking or living. Just intend that you will drop these toxins, these identifications. The power of intention is great. Intention is the mother of all creativity.
   Society has sown the myth that it is the prerogative of children to be playful. As we grow up, there exists an accomplishment need in an individual. Society perceives that in the fulfilment of the accomplishment need, playfulness is an obstacle. Hence, one needs to be serious. To fulfil an accomplishment need, all that is required is commitment and not seriousness. Therefore, playfulness is impressed upon us as something bad. The wise approach is in being committed and still being playful. Do not be serious but be sincere. You will experience lightness in life. Your life will have more spiritual light.
   When you are playful, there is a deep sense of ‘let go’. Let go is learning to surrender to the flow of life. One has to ultimately let go of one’s ego. When you are serious, you are in tension. Tension is the breath of your ego. When you are playful, you are relaxed. Relaxation is a part of being spiritual. Enlightenment is never in the future, it is always in the present. To be playful, one has to be in the present. Hence being playful is an important door to spirituality.

It is not opposed to being spiritual. If you stop only at physical pleasures, then you are limiting yourself. The greatest medicine is meditation. Madness is being imprisoned by the mind. Sanity is in going beyond the mind.

 

* This excellent article written by Swami Sukhabodhananda.

 

smile an ever lasting smile

a smile can bring you near to me

don't ever let me find you gone

'cause that would bring a tear to me

this world has lost its glory

let's start a brand new story

now my love

you think that I don't even mean

a single word I say

it's only words

and words are all I have

to take your heart away

talk in ever lasting words

and dedicate them all to me

and I will give you all my life

i'm here if you should call to me

you think that I don't even mean

a single word I say

it's only words

and words are all I have

to take your heart away

it's only words

and words are all I have

to take your heart away