The red carpet rolls out on the National Mall and leads to the new Warner Bros. Theater in the American History Museum. The inaugural event is a screening of the 1942 romantic drama, Casablanca, the story of luminous Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), world-weary Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), and their bittersweet love affair, told against the backdrop of World War II. The Warner Bros. Theater, established to present the history of American film, is the perfect venue for viewing a newly restored studio print of this film classic, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The screening also marks the start of a three-day film festival spotlighting Humphrey Bogart and the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Stephen Bogart, son of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, is among the special guests who will introduce Casablanca and take questions from the audience afterward.

The evening begins with a light reception, and participants can also view various Warner Bros. artifacts, including memorabilia from Casablanca and its star, Humphrey Bogart.  Vintage-1940s dress is encouraged but not required.

The new theater has been made possible through a gift from Warner Bros. Entertainment, a subsidiary of TimeWarner.

Film critic Richard Schickel’s books You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story and Bogie: A Celebration of the Life and Films of Humphrey Bogart will be available for purchase.

Program subject to change.