As Time Goes By.

• Author: ROTHENBERG, ROBERT S.
• Position: Review

As Time Goes By

by Michael Walsh / Warner Books, 1998, pp. 420, $25.00

Reviewed by ROBERT S. ROTHENBERG Managing Editor, USA Today

* When lists of the greatest movies ever made are compiled, there may be spirited debate among various films' supporters as to where their favorites rank. When it comes to choosing one whose characters almost universally engage the audience and make viewers care about them passionately, "Casablanca" arguably tops the charts. Therefore, resurrecting them on the printed page--and, almost invariably, with a blockbuster motion picture threatening to follow--may be regarded as downright sacrilegious.

Michael Walsh, a former music critic for Time, was handed the assignment by Time Warner, which owns the rights to the film. His approach is to present a combination prequel-sequel, picking up the adventures of Rick, lisa, Victor, Louis, and Sam from the moment the plane to Lisbon took off and flashing back to relate how they got to Casablanca in the first place. The results are a mixed bag at best.

The prequel sequences work most successfully, primarily concentrating on Rick Blaine. Once readers come to accept the startling decision by Walsh to introduce him as Yitzik...