Fabulous 40’s Films With Jonathan Boschen: Casablanca (1942)

Garden Cinemas screening to feature local film and theater historian Jonathan Boschen
discussing the history of the movie.

Greenfield Mass. – The Greenfield Garden Cinemas will be debuting a classic film series with
film and theatre historian Jonathan Boschen on Monday September 1st! The series kicks off
with one of the great Hollywood movies of all time (and one of Boschen’s favorites),
“Casablanca” from 1942 starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Prior to the movie,
local film and theatre historian Jonathan Boschen will be discussing the backstory of the movie,
the careers of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, technical details of the film, and even
information on its first Greenfield showing. Boschen’s introduction starts at 6:30, and a
screening of the movie will immediately follow. Admission is $10.50 for adults, and $8:50 for
children, seniors, and students. “Casablanca” is the first movie in this new classic film series,
and three other movies are booked for exhibition consisting of: “Arsenic and Old Lace” (1944)
on October 6, “Mildred Pierce” (1945) on November 3, and :”The Man Who Came to Dinner”
(1941) on December 1. Four more movies will be planned for Winter and Spring 2026!
“Casablanca” is a 1942 romantic drama set during the second World War about and
American expatriate Rick Blaine, portrayed by Humphrey Bogart, who must choose between his
love for his former flame Ilsa Lund, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, and helping her resistance
leader husband escape from the city of Casablanca located in Vichy controlled Morocco. The
movie made its grand premiere in New York City on November 26, 1942, was released on
January 23, 1943, and was first shown in Greenfield on February 7, 1943 where it played at the
Lawler Theatre for four days. Since its release the movie has received numerous awards and
recognition, and today is a favorite too many classic film fans and contemporary filmmakers.
ABOUT “FABULOUS 40’S FILMS WITH JONATHAN BOSCHEN”

For over 90 years the Greenfield Garden Cinemas has been Franklin County’s premier movie
theater. The Garden was originally opened in 1929 as a single screen 2,000 theater and in the
1980s was multiplexed to continue bringing Greenfield the latest in feature film entertainment.
In the Autumn of 2025 the owners of the Garden Cinemas, Isaac Mass, partnered with local film
and theater historian Jonathan Boschen to bring “Fabulous 40’s Films” to the Garden’s screen.
Previously Boschen hosted “Talking Talkies” at the Garden Cinemas during the Autumn of 2024
and winter of 2025, which focused on sharing movies of the 1930s. Jonathan Boschen has
given presentations on film history and has also had articles on film and theater history
published. His most noteworthy publication which chronicles the history of Greenfield’s Movie
Theaters was published by the Theater Historical Society of America back in 2016. The film
series reintroduces contemporary audiences to both classic movies that were produced during
the 1940s.