Saratoga Trunk (1945)

After "Gaslight", Ingrid Bergman was all over the cinema, and in 1945, topped herself with "The Bells of St. Mary's" and "Spellbound". She also appeared in this version of a possibly unfilmable novel, strange both on film and on stage later on as a lavish musical flop. This version of the Edna Ferber novel is an artistic misfire, stunning to look at but rather avant- garde and difficult to get through without finding something to laugh at. There's a lot to admire in this high budgeted potboiler, melodramatic and often over acted and pretentious in its ambitions. Ingrid Bergman takes the dark lady image of fellow Swede Greta Garbo to the max, outrageously absurd in parts and sincere and feminine in others. She's the scourge of a well to do New Orleans family, returning to bury her notorious mother in the family plot. Hooking up with a notorious Texan (Gary Cooper), she longs to break into society and ends up in Saratoga Springs where, thanks to an outrageously Bohemian blackmailer (an absolutely delightful Florence Bates) seems to do just that. Bergman's constant companions are spooky looking servant Flora Robson (twice as bizarre as she was in "Caesar and Cleopatra") and excitable dwarf Jerry Austin. The lavish Max Steiner score is as important a character as the settings are, but at times, this seems to be striving for camp, not necessarily a good idea. Ripe for parody, I would not be surprised to find that this was spoofed on the Carol Burnett show with Burnett as Bergman, Lyle Wagner as Cooper, Vicki Lawrence as Robson, Tim Conway as Austin and Harvey Korman as Bates.

I gave this movie a 10 simply out of my sick obsession with Ingrid Bergman:) lol. I really think she was the best actress to ever grace this earth with her talent and all of her movies are absolutely wonderful (even when they are awful) because SHE is in them. If it hadn't been her and Vivien Leigh (as it had originally been desired I hear) I would have given it a 9.0 Simply because I love Viv but probably not as much as I love Ingrid. And any other actress would have made it maybe a 6. It's a good story, two wild people falling in love in a society where it bad to be bad. Reminds me a little of GWTW except laced with a more highbrow attitude. Gary Cooper is very handsome as usual and of course his voice never changes the entire film, but hey Ingrid makes him seem so amazing and dashing and 20 times hotter than he probably should be.

For sheer boredom, I can't think of another movie of this period that disappoints me at every turn. Both stars are badly miscast (with Swedish Bergman in a black wig), Flora Robson donning dark make-up that makes her almost unrecognizable, and a storyline that drags at an interminable pace.The only bright spots are Florence Bates in a juicy supporting role and a melodic Max Steiner romantic score out of which came a warm melody called 'As Long As I Live'. Well, as long as I live, I can't see why anyone can work up much interest or enthusiasm for this Edna Ferber tale that hardly ranks with her best work. Steiner, fortunately, was able to find inspiration even when the film itself was no more than ordinary. The chemistry between Cooper and Bergman is hardly noticeable here.Trivia: Jack Warner was considering Olivia de Havilland for the role Bergman plays. De Havilland was having contract troubles with the studio at that time and mercifully she managed to let this one escape after complaining of being overworked.

A fantastic movie, and very overlooked. Gary has never been more handsome, and Ingrid is more beautiful than in ANY other film. If you don't believe, just watch the movie. Every cast member is wonderful; the love scenes between Gary and Ingrid will make your pulse race! The story is great, the script is Oscar caliber. Don't miss this film!!