Ingrid Bergman is Coming. Ingrid Bergman is Coming.
Next month is the centennial of one of the greatest film stars of all time, Ingrid Bergman.
To do the icon justice, we know we'll have to plan ahead and cover multiple films. Obviously we'll hit Hitchcock's Notorious (my personal favorite) and a few of her Oscar roles. But which lesser-discussed films should we cover? You may choose three. If you feel really strongly plead your case in the comments!
Reader Comments (17)
I adore Ingrid Bergman, her best known films such as "Casablanca", "Gaslight", and "Anastasia" should be re-watched by anyone interested in both acting and the definition of charisma.
I hope you take a look at all of her Hitchcock films - he was pushing the boundaries of techniques he would perfect in later films.
Also, the films with Rossellini demonstrate a willingness to experiment with a totally different style of acting and film-making. A great actress who handled aging on screen more
successfully than even Kate Hepburn. Perhaps a podcast at the end of this series?
I picked The Yellow Rolls Royce and Indiscreet, because I'm not familiar with either one and would like to learn more, given their stellar casts.
I also picked Spellbound because I think it's a bit of an oddity when it comes to Hitchcock movies, and I'd like a reason to revisit it.
I picked Spellbound and Cactus Flower (Goldie Hawn is a dish in the latter, but Bergman mixes the laughs and the pathos quite skillfully in her own right). I really hope you'll be discussing Casablanca, because any discussion on Bergman without that film is, in my estimations, incomplete. Also, Autumn Sonata, probably my favorite late career Bergman performance (though you did mention you'll be discussing her Oscar roles, I'm guessing that one's among them)...
I picked Spellbound because it's so weird, Indiscreet because I love her with Cary Grant and Adam Had Four Sons because...a 24-year-old Susan Hayward?!? I need to watch that one. Is it available?
I chose Spellbound, because I love it in all its bizarre glory. It deserves a better reputation--it really lives up to its title. And that score by Miklos Rosza!
My other two were The Yellow Rolls-Royce, because I haven't seen it since I was a kid and I remember loving it, and The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, because it's Robert Donat's last film. He's a fave.
Ingrid Bergman is sublime. Can't wait for this!
She's my favorite classic film actress. Indiscreet isn't getting many votes, but I hope you cover it - she is great with Cary Grant, and it's fun to see them in a comedy after Notorious.
I wish we had a director like Stanley Donen, who could let the biggest stars play in glamorous stories, around today. Soderbergh kind of got there with some of his comedies, and I suppose Russell comes close, but without the glamour.
I also picked Indiscreet; it’s fun to see her in a comedy. It foreshadows her work in Cactus Flower and she and Grant are terrific onscreen.
I also picked Spellbound, classic Bergman, that voice, those eyes.
But for my third I picked Intermezzo, Paul, you will remember my family’s attachment (and my name) for Leslie Howard.
I very much enjoy Ingrid Bergman on film - I think it's due to the mixture of strength and vulnerability that she conveys. I voted for Spellbound, Journey to Italy and Indiscreet. The first two are fascinating, flawed and very famous films that I think deserve much attention. Indiscreet I haven't seen, and so I'd like to hear some more about it from people here.
I'm hoping also that we'll get a chance to discuss her Oscar-winining roles and her chemistry with her various leading men (Bogart, Peck, Grant etc.). Looking forward to Bergman month!
Yes, I do, Leslie! ;-)
She was an actress with what we call now auteur lust. That's why I strongly suggest you to include her magnificent performance in Jean Renoir's Elena and Her Men, in French!
Her collaboration with Rossellinni must be included. Journey to Italy is one the best movies ever.
Murder on the Orient Express?
San FranCinema - It would be fun for someone to discuss that film, what with Ingrid being the Stinktress and all!
Really want to read about Cactus Flower (simply for the fact that Goldie Hawn is an Oscar winner FOR this movie is so weird) and Spellbound (coz Gregory Peck, duh)
"Autumn Sonata." Why oh why haven't you seen "Autumn Sonata"?!
My favourite Bergman film/performance is actually Autumn Sonata. So there ya go!
As long as we hit Autumn Sonata and avoid Under Capricorn, I'm good.
@Paul Outlaw-Though TCM isn't including Adam Had Four Sons in this month's tribute to Ingrid they do show it on occasion and it's available from Netflix. Ingrid's role is pretty pallid but it was a major step forward for Susie, this was the first chance she got to play a grasping wanton-something she did very well, and the picture really only comes to life when she's on screen. She and Ingrid have a confrontation which is terrific. Otherwise the picture is minor. The two actresses stayed friendly throughout the years though unfortunately they never co-starred again.
I voted for Indiscreet, what a lovely light as air confection. The Inn of the Sixth Happiness which should be better known and Cactus Flower where she and Goldie go toe to toe for who steals the picture. Goldie's charming but Ingrid is for me the MVP.