How Humphrey Bogart Used Platform Shoes to Match Co-Star Heights in Casablanca

During the filming of the 1942 classic movie Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart wore platform shoes, also known as shoe lifts, to adjust his height in relation to his co-stars. Bogart, who was approximately 5’8′ (173 cm), needed to appear slightly taller than Ingrid Bergman, who was about 5’9′ (175 cm), to maintain the era’s cinematic convention of the male lead being taller than the female lead. The platform shoes added between 3 and 5 inches to Bogart’s height. In addition, various techniques were employed on set to manage height differences, such as using cushions, telephone books, and apple boxes for static scenes. The need for these adjustments was not limited to Bergman; Paul Henreid, who played Victor Laszlo, was 6’4′ (193 cm), further accentuating the height disparity. Rumors suggested that the crew even considered having Bergman walk in a trench to reduce her apparent height, but building platform shoes proved far easier and more practical on a studio set. Bogart was known to be sensitive about his height and employed similar methods in other films when paired with taller actresses. These techniques highlight the practical solutions used in classic Hollywood to maintain visual aesthetics and on-screen presence.