Casablanca

By Grey Lupindo

Tucked away on Nantucket Island is a build depicting the movie set of “Casablanca,” one of the most romantic movies ever made.   Go to Pelican Point at Nantucket, Nantucket Island (126, 112, 2011) to check it out.  SL Casablanca was created by Sommer Shepherd, who owns the sim, and TracyLynn Carpenter. 

 I chatted with Sommer Shepherd about Casablanca, which has been here for a few months.  “It started out as Rick’s Cafe Ameracain,” she said, “as a venue for a friend’s Engagement party. ....kind of grew to what you see... all before the party!”   Sommer said the site has received a lot of attention, which she said is very flattering.  It is currently one of the Editor’s Picks in the Destination Guide, which is how I found it. 

You can view this site as the movie set for one of Bogart’s best films.  There are tents, director chairs, movie cameras and other items behind the buildings. Only the flags have been altered to reflect a less menacing, hateful world.  This alteration is much appreciated and more appropriate for SL in this reporter’s opinion.  But my favorite way to experience Casablanca is to go as a time traveler visiting Morocco circa 1940.  The U.S. has not yet entered World War II, and Rick’s Cafe is run by an ex-pat trying to escape the chaos of the world and his private life.

As you enter Casablanca you see vintage cars lining the streets and palm trees swaying in the desert breeze.  Rick’s Cafe is lavishly decorated with potted palms, bead curtains, and a lively bar scene.  There are lots of rooms to explore and a fine restaurant to enjoy.    There are game tables, too, but I didn’t come to gamble.  I came to find Rick and, if I was lucky, priceless letters of transit.

I started in the bar, which is well stocked and filled with interesting characters.   The famous piano is here, too.  I didn’t see Louis Armstrong while I was visiting, but Sommer gave me a vintage radio that has him playing “As Time Goes By”.  A perfect souvenir of Casablanca.

 Upstairs has more places to explore.  Rick’s office has a number of surprises you won’t want to miss.  Although I didn’t find Rick there, I did find someone else who was searching for letters.  The view from the upstairs balcony is wonderfully detailed.  You can almost smell the camels.  There are also a few private alcoves here where you could meet a friend and enjoy a drink.  I recommend the cognac.  Rick has a great vintage that you can help yourself to upstairs.   

Of course no depiction of Casablanca would be complete without the airport.  Outside the walls of the city the plane is waiting, ready to take off as soon as its important passengers board.       

Casablanca is one of those places you can visit quickly or linger at with a friend.   Even if you aren’t familiar with the movie, you can enjoy the site’s creativity and beauty.  If you know and love the movie as much as I do, you’ll love the world that Sommer Shepherd and TracyLynn Carpenter have created.  

Grey Lupindo

Mystery Science Theater 3000 in SL

Have you wondered where the worst science-fiction B movies you have ever seen went?? I found them! They are in the comfortable theater located at the sim, This Island Earth.

A quote from the land says, “Keeping the world safe from bad B-Movies by keeping them contained." Somehow Squeebee Wakawaka has sequestered them all and they are playing 24/7 for your viewing pleasure. All you have to do is sit and touch the box at the poster to start or catch up if it is in progress. If you want to have an outdoor view and lounge by the pond you will find a screen there too. How he found these films is beyond my comprehension, but there they are. Grab a bag of popcorn or a pizza and settle down.

There are comfortable seats for all and for those who like to snuggle up with a partner there is seating for you too. I sat and watched part of “Fugitive alien” and on another visit, “ Star Force Alien 2." I had to chuckle and then laugh out loud at the films. Hopefully that is what the owner wants, or, my apologies.

I met Mordoc Blackheart and asked if he were involved in the theater. And yes, he is a Saturday night host for the showing of a movie. He told me they had been in this sim for about a year and in another one previously. Most of the films are from MST3K which was on TV from 1988 through 1999 in the USA. Mordoc said they had almost all the films that were shown during that period and also some other interesting science films.

If you want to learn the story behind MST3K check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_Science_Theater_3000, or search it for other informative sites. The building is a copy of the space craft where the MST3K crew spent their time forced to watch these films (Listen to their comments!). There are huge tribute builds of the robots who were part of the crew outside. There appear to be hosts for events each day at one time or another. There is a group for notices about get-togethers for events if you would like to join and keep up on the current offerings.

Have a fun afternoon at the movies. http://slurl.com/secondlife/This%20Island%20Earth/205/153/23

Gemma Cleanslate