Hugh Hefner turned 88 Wednesday, April 9, but he celebrated a few days early on April 4 with a Casablanca themed party at the Playboy Mansion.

Hugh Hefner Celebrates Birthday With 'Casablanca'

Casablanca (1942) is Hefner’s favorite film and he watches it every year for his birthday. The film takes place in the 1940s at the beginning of World War II and tells the tale of star-crossed lovers Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). On the night of his party, he posted photos on Twitter of his dressed up guests.

The men at the party were all dressed in crisp, white suits in tribute to the film’s male protagonist, while the women had a bit more freedom with their costumes.

Hefner also shared a photo with fans showing a photo of him and his wife, Crystal Harris, 27, which he captioned, “Here’s looking at you, kid” – a famous line from the classic film.

Hef Reflects On His Life So Far

Hefner also celebrated turning one year older by participating in a CBS segment called “Note to Self,” in which he looked back on his life in a letter to his 16-year-old self. In his segment, Hefner details the heartbreak that led to his reinvention and the creation of Playboy, while also defending himself against critics who disapprove of his lifestyle.

“You will challenge… what people believe about sexuality and civil rights,” he tells his former self.

Hefner briefly mentioned his conflicts with religious groups and politicians who disapproved of his racy publication, as well as his personal achievements as a husband and father, before concluding with his thoughts on women. Hefner proudly defends himself against any accusations of being a womanizer, declaring himself a “hopeless romantic” instead.

“Throughout this time, women will remain your muse. You’ll never stop seeing them as beautiful and mysterious…You will know many of them – many. And you will have your heart broken many times… Those who don’t know you will label you a womanizer, but I know the truth: you’re a hopeless romantic.”

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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