Video surging 11x the video's usual pace

Billy Crystal's Casablanca calls with Rob Reiner became movie material

In People's interview excerpt, Crystal recalls the late-night conversations that found their way into When Harry Met Sally.

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People Story of October 18, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video is running at 56,062 views a day, 11 times its usual pace (5,294).

How Billy Crystal & Rob Reiner’s Lives Inspired 'When Harry Met Sally'

Billy Crystal wasn't Rob Reiner's first choice to play Harry, even though pieces of their friendship were already headed for the script. That is one of the behind-the-scenes wrinkles he recalls in People's interview about When Harry Met Sally.

Crystal says Reiner's divorce from Penny Marshall led to frequent late-night phone conversations between the two friends. They would watch Casablanca together over the phone, something Harry and Sally later do in the movie. Their jokes about hypochondria made the journey into the dialogue, too. As Crystal puts it: "That was stuff we did."

The excerpt, posted three days ago, has picked up roughly 56,000 views in a day, more than ten times its usual daily pace. In the comments, viewers are trading favorite scenes and describing their own repeat-viewing rituals, including one who remembers owning the film on VHS.

The casting story adds a different kind of intimacy. Crystal understood that Reiner needed to consider other actors before offering him the part. But once they began collaborating, playing a character so closely modeled on his friend required a little distance. Crystal recalls telling him: "You have to get out of the way, so I can then step in and be this guy."

He closes with a memory of a huge outdoor screening in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood, then punctures his own moment of pride: "That's more than saw some of my movies."

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What viewers say

Still one of my favorites. I watch it every time it’s streaming.. I used to have it on VHS.
@LisaWilliams-e7z5iSee it on YouTube
Bruno Kirby in disbelief "You made a woman meow?" that was my favorite line... still makes me smile
@peoplevrobotSee it on YouTube
What a gem hearing Billy relate his closeness with Rob on such a timeless masterpiece, which captured the nuances & facets of relationships- still relevant to this day!
@rohanfirminger9182See it on YouTube

5 more comments

This movie became a classic. It was not an action blockbuster. It was a movie about human beings. All of us have experienced some of the situations in the film.
@RED-cy7igSee it on YouTube
It’s my comfort movie. I’ve watched 3-4 times a year ❤
@Saeedeh84See it on YouTube
Been a long long time since I watched this... I think it's time... and what a wonderful story about how stories get made and told....
@StephenG-t6cSee it on YouTube
Love this movie and hearing Billy talk about the origins and process, fascinating.
@soniascott-c9cSee it on YouTube
This is really special!! Two friends working together on something so personal yet sooooooo funny and fantastic where their genius’s could collaborate. What a DREAM job!!!
@susandrawsSee it on YouTube