@VarietyArchives Jan 14, 1942 pic.twitter.com/4Ik9gzohce
— Steven Gaydos (@HighSierraMan) March 25, 2023
On 11.26.12, IndieWire‘s Oliver Lyttleton filed the following: “One of cinema’s most enduring urban legends is that Ronald Reagan was originally cast as Rick in the project. In fact, it was never true, but there is at least fair basis for the rumors. Reagan was named, along with Ann Sheridan (Angels With Dirty Faces) and Dennis Morgan (River’s End) in a studio press release as taking the lead roles in the project in early 1942.
“But in fact, none were actually involved. Having been called up to active army duty after Pearl Harbor, Reagan had been ruled out. He was, however, seemingly mentioned by publicists along with Sheridan and Morgan in an attempt to keep their names out there. George Raft also famously turned the project down, but again, the truth of that is in doubt.
“The studio’s records suggest that Bogart had always been producer Hal Wallis‘ first choice for the part, though Jack Warner may have preferred Raft. There were other actors considered for other parts, though. Hedy Lamarr — who also starred in “Algiers” — was mentioned for the role of Ilsa, but MGM wouldn’t release her from her contract (Lamarr went on to play the role in a 1944 radio adaptation opposite Alan Ladd as Rick). French actress Michele Morgan (Le Quaid des brumes) did test for the part, but RKO wanted a whopping $55,000 to loan her to Warners, so the studio went for Bergman as David O. Selznick was asking half as much money for her, so long as Warners would lend him Olivia de Haviland in exchange.”
