Casablanca MOC

[WesternOutlaw]

I built this recent MOC for the EB Neighborhood Contest, but thought I would share a few additional pictures in this forum, as a History & Adventure MOC.

The inspiration comes from Rick's Cafe Americain featured in the old B&W classic Casablanca (1942).

I've always wanted to build one, esp after recently viewing Chicago Video: Along Comes a Woman, and the new Indiana Jones theme.

Here's the exterior. I always have difficulty in building a nice exterior and still maintaining playability by leaving the design somewhat open. The style of the building is Moroccan, pre/early-WWII.

A close-up of the outside door:

A view after entering the club:

A view from the top. Note: you can't see the tables which are to the right and in the back.

A better view. A French band plays the brass:

Up on the balcony is the Baron (my sig-fig) with a collection of treasures and other adventure items:

Another interior view:

Indy and his friends buying information at the bar:

And another view from the top:

This was a first attempt with very few modifications. If I should build another, I think it will come out a lot better with additional detail.

Comments welcome.

PS. I should also share this recent Brickshelf find as the only Lego Casablanca MOC I came across:

[Cardinal Brick]

I think it looks great, I like the wood effect on the bar and the racks of drink behind. Also the tiled floor looks very good, all you need are a few more Germans and then some French citizens and you can recreate the Marseillaise scene from Casablanca.

The only thing that I think is missing is a piano if you could make one small enough to fit just off the band stand.

[Mister Phes]

Mr The Brickster this MOC looks very exotic in that northern African sense, so you've done well to capture that atmosphere.

What I think sets this apart from your other MOCs is you've veered from the "blocky" architecture by using some curves and angles. I recall several times in the past I've suggested that you add some curves to your design, well this time there is no need!

[WesternOutlaw]

I appreciate your comments and suggestions.

The only thing that I think is missing is a piano if you could make one small enough to fit just off the band stand.

I had the perfect design for a small piano (right out of an old Lego idea catalogue). I didn't even think of using. Good idea.

What I think sets this apart from your other MOCs is you've veered from the "blocky" architecture by using some curves and angles. I recall several times in the past I've suggested that you add some curves to your design, well this time there is no need!

Thanks Phes. It's probably from all that WW MOCing over the past few years.

[Brickadier General]

It's very nice and has a lot of good detail inside. Just one question though...what exactly is that "canopy" piece you used for the roof of your car. I really like it and might consider getting some.

[WesternOutlaw]

It's very nice and has a lot of good detail inside. Just one question though...what exactly is that "canopy" piece you used for the roof of your car. I really like it and might consider getting some.

That's not my MOC. Just found that image on Brickshelf. It looks like some sort of Fabuland piece. Where's Hinckley and/or Sinner when we need them.

EDIT:

After doing some research, I found piece 486 on Peeron. It was available in red, blue, and yellow in a few of the Fabuland sets. What a great part. I'm starting to have a greater appreciation for Fabuland (shhh... Don't tell Hink. He'll try to give me another swirley).

EDIT:

[daoudbazaar]

Greaaat !

Just add a piano and give me the opening hours !

Play it again Sam, play "As time goes by"

[WesternOutlaw]

Just add a piano and give me the opening hours !

Can't believe I forgot the piano.

Also, a few ornamental vases would have been a nice addition.

[Captain Green Hair]

You've captured the scene very nice Brickster! *y*

The colorscheme is absolutely perfect!

Just one question, doesn't it have a roof?

[WesternOutlaw]

You've captured the scene very nice Brickster! *y*

The colorscheme is absolutely perfect!

Just one question, doesn't it have a roof?

Thanks. Good question. I made a removable roof section for the right side which is a bit lower than the middle (above the dining side), but left the center without a roof to take pictures and set up the figs. This is why I mentioned the difficulty in making these buildings playable and look good from the outside. In addition, I was not sure what type of roof to build. I'm not too knowledgeable with Moroccan and/or Turkish architecture. Flat would not have been bad, and/or a red roof in the middle.

[Shadows]

Excellent job! *y*

I really like yours and the suggestions here should finish up the job nicely (forgetting Sam... :-|).

I'd like to see the whole movie recreated in LEGO by someone with far too much time on their hands. It wouldn't take a ton of mocs, there aren't really as many different locations as in a lot of movies. Could even use the current Eiffel Tower ... 'you wore blue, the Germans wore grey...'

I'm confused by the other one. It's sort of like they're outside, yet inside, yet there's a car, but ... Still, I like the entrance to it, or is that the exit? Well... *wacko* Oh, and yeah, that Fabuland part is great, I've got to pick some of those up. Hope they're in other colours though.

[oo7]

This is a very awesome entry for the neighborhood contest, Mr. Brickster, one of my favorites so far! You did a great job on the tile floor and the architectural integration of the arches is very well done, however I don't exactly see how the Baron got that motorcycle up there. :-P

Also, I hope we will get a glimpse of an updated version with Sam at his upright piano similar to that of the scene which you found on Brickshelf. :'-) Here you can find another Casablanca MOC I stumbled upon a while ago if you're interested. ;-)

And there's also this, not quite a MOC but still sort of nice.

[WesternOutlaw]

I'd like to see the whole movie recreated in LEGO by someone with far too much time on their hands. It wouldn't take a ton of mocs, there aren't really as many different locations as in a lot of movies.

Thanks IS. Appreciate the positive feedback. Great idea to re-create some of the scenes in the movie. What's nice about doing so would be that the MOCs could easily be integrated with Adventurers and Indiana Jones themes.

This is a very awesome entry for the neighborhood contest, Mr. Brickster, one of my favorites so far! You did a great job on the tile floor and the architectural integration of the arches is very well done

Thanks 007. You're one of my favorite MOCers on EB; so coming from you, that means a lot. I loved your Sleepy Hollow MOC (one of my personal favorites).

[Athos]

Very cool. I'd like to see a overall picture of the MOC. I'm having trouble getting a good sense of it from the pictures. The pictures and the details in them are great, but I can't seem to put it together in my head.

One thing I'd suggest changing is replacing the tan door hinges with white. They tan stands out too much.

Shared this over at http://www.adventurers.dk/ too...

Steve

[simonwillems]

This MOC captures the atmosphere really good, one can almost here the band play.... *wub*

I love your floor! Great pattern, I must try that sort of tiling myself sometime.

The only thing that looks not entirely in place, I think, is the rug hanging from the balcony, but that is just a very minor imperfection in an otherwise fantastic MOC.

I would not make any kind of roof, it looks fine the way it is, with a roof lots of details will be barely visible and that would be a shame.

*y*

[iamded]

Great MOC! The entrance exterior looks awesome, and the SNOT interior is awesome, especially. the bar! :-D Awesome shelves behind the bar, too. *y* *y*

In the brickshelf find you posted, I really like the way the chairs are made, quite ingenious.

~Peace

[WesternOutlaw]

Very cool. I'd like to see a overall picture of the MOC. I'm having trouble getting a good sense of it from the pictures. The pictures and the details in them are great, but I can't seem to put it together in my head.

One thing I'd suggest changing is replacing the tan door hinges with white. They tan stands out too much.

Shared this over at http://www.adventurers.dk/ too...

Thanks Athos. Appreciate the feedback. I have already destroyed to make room for my next project (when I figure out what that is). I took a few more images before taking it apart. Perhaps I'll post.

Also, thanks for sharing on Adventure.dk. I didn't know they had a forum.

The only thing that looks not entirely in place, I think, is the rug hanging from the balcony, but that is just a very minor imperfection in an otherwise fantastic MOC.

I actually liked the placement of the tapestry. I thought it was a nice prominent location. But thanks for the constructive comments.

Great MOC! The entrance exterior looks awesome, and the SNOT interior is awesome, especially. the bar! :-D Awesome shelves behind the bar, too. *y* *y*

Thanks Iamded. I thought the exterior was just OK. I might revisit and try something a little better. I honestly do not have enough white bricks to build exactly what I wanted (in fact, I had to use 1x2 bricks in some places).

Thanks for the great feedback. It's your comments that keep me working at improving the quality of my MOCs.*y*

[iamded]

Thanks Iamded. I thought the exterior was just OK.

You're welcome! *sweet* I really like it, the use of those printed arches are great, and look really cool with those windows, and the windows above the doors are really cool too, as are the triangular designs with the 1x1 tan cylinders. *y* *y* Is the triangular design on the right supposed to be missing some bits on it's left though?

~Peace

[Bonaparte]

This kind of MOCs I love the most.

It has an oriental and historical look & feel which I like a lot.

I'm hoping you make more adventure MOCs.

[Batbrick]

How did I miss this beautiful moc?

The exterior in my opinion is good, but the interior is a thing of beauty. The SNOTy floor looks spectacular, as does the bar and staircase. The colours used are fantastic, giving it an excellent atmosphere, and the french band is a great touch too.

I didn't know the Baron was your sigfig though *wacko*

Anyway, excellent work here.

Batbrick Something! *wacko*

[WesternOutlaw]

Is the triangular design on the right supposed to be missing some bits on it's left though?

Yes, I purposely left it off because of the roof section on the right side of the building. You've got a good eye. What this MOC could benefit from is a Rick's Nightclub sign or other item in the front to signify that it is a bar/nightclub.

I'm hoping you make more adventure MOCs.

Thanks B. Perhaps I will very soon. I'm in an Adventurers mood again. I go through different themes from time-to-time: Castle, Adventurers, WW, Train, City. etc.

I didn't know the Baron was your sigfig though *wacko*

Anyway, excellent work here.

Thanks BB. I've used a few different faces over the years as I theme hop. Sort of like the 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. Are you familiar with the movie? Here are a few:

[Bonaparte]

Next week I'll be in Casablanca (Morocco) from Monday till Friday for work.

So I'll have a chance to look at the architecture myself.

I hope to find time for visiting the old city centers of both Casablanca and Rabat.

Btw, do we have some active members from Morocco? I can't think of one right now.

[Asuka]

A very fine creation that is.... with an interesting facade and a plain beautiful interior. :'-) *y*

[WesternOutlaw]

Next week I'll be in Casablanca (Morocco) from Monday till Friday for work.

Btw, do we have some active members from Morocco? I can't think of one right now.

Outstanding! What a terrific place to visit. that would be awesome!

I have not seen any members from Morocco.

A very fine creation that is.... with an interesting facade and a plain beautiful interior. :'-) *y*

Asuka: I always appreciate your feedback, whether positive or negative. I value your opinion. Thanks.

[hoang]

awesome stuff as usual. i like the tiles alot, it makes thing smoother. you must have like tons of lego to be capable to build jungle or building quite easily, speaking of quantity pieces wise. nonetheless i like your ideas and style