Intermezzo (1939)

A concert violinist becomes charmed with his daughter's talented piano teacher. When he invites her to go on tour with him, they make beautiful music away from the concert hall as well. He ... See full summary »

Director:

Gregory Ratoff

Writers:

George O'Neil (screen play), Gösta Stevens (original story) (as Gosta Stevens)

Stars:

Ingrid Bergman, Leslie Howard, Edna Best

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Leslie Howard	...	Holger Brandt
Ingrid Bergman	...	Anita Hoffman
Edna Best	...	Margit Brandt
John Halliday	...	Thomas Stenborg
Cecil Kellaway	...	Charles
Enid Bennett	...	Greta
Ann E. Todd	...	Ann Marie (as Ann Todd)
Douglas Scott	...	Eric
Eleanor Wesselhoeft	...	Emma
Maria Flynn	...	Marianne (as Marie Flynn)

Storyline

A concert violinist becomes charmed with his daughter's talented piano teacher. When he invites her to go on tour with him, they make beautiful music away from the concert hall as well. He soon leaves his wife so the two can go off together.

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Plot Keywords:

concert | piano | violinist | scholarship | birthday party | 

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Taglines:

The Screen's Daring Dramatization of a Bold, Tempestuous Love Affair...as Real as Life Itself!

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Genres:

Romance | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 February 1940 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Intermezzo

Filming Locations:

Monterey, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Selznick International Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Jack Benny Program parodied the movie on the radio on 14 January, 1940.

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Goofs

In the 19th minute, Anita and Holger enter a Swedish restaurant. The sign outside is in English and the Swedish word "restaurang" is not used. The use of such an English word in the 1930s is highly unlikely.

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Quotes

Charles Moler, The Impressario: [Cutting into Ann Marie's birthday cake] You know what? Not so long ago your daddy and I went to a birthday party in China.
Ann Marie Brandt: In *china*?
Charles Moler, The Impressario: Uh-huh. At a Mandarin's house. His name was
[thinks]
Charles Moler, The Impressario: Chou Ching Chang Chip Chop.
Ann Marie Brandt: Did you have ice cream and cake?
Charles Moler, The Impressario: Oooh, no indeed. We had swallows' nests, umm, roasted silkworms, snake soup and, uh - cricket eggs!
Ann Marie Brandt: Oh! You didn't eat *that*...?
Charles Moler, The Impressario: Oh, we had to take a double helping of everything or the Mandarin would've murdered us.
Ann Marie Brandt: Oh well, Uncle Charles - nobody ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

and introducing Ingrid Bergman

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Alternate Versions

A re-release uses the title "Intermezzo" and lists the copyright owner as "Vanguard Films, Inc." which was Selznick's company name in the 40's. Ingrid Bergman is billed first in the opening credits, which are also more elaborate than the original release. The end cast credits are identical, however.

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Connections

Featured in Lust, Caution (2007)

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Soundtracks

Piano Concerto in A op 16
Music by Edvard Grieg
Played by Ingrid Bergman on piano and then joined in by Howard while at home

User Reviews

A star is born

This remake of the Swedish film of the same name is worth a look because it's the first time American audiences got a chance to see Ingrid Bergman. Gregory Ratoff, the director, utilizes well the short time of the movie to present the melodrama in an appealing way.

From the beginning, we realize the attraction Holger feels for Anita is doomed. Holger has a loving wife as well as two children that clearly adore their distant father.Basically, Holger is a decent man who sees in Anita something that he doesn't have at home, which seems to happen whenever a fresh and beautiful woman arrives at the scene and the marriage is shaky.

Leslie Howard was an amazing actor. In this film he is not as effective as in his previous, much better appearances. Ingrid Bergman brought a freshness to Anita that is hard to imagine another actress playing her. We get a glimpse about a star being born, one that would shine forever.

In minor roles, Edna Best, plays Magrit, the long suffering wife. John Halliday is Thomas Stenborg, the loyal friend and former playing partner. Ann Todd is seen as Ann Marie Brandt, the daughter. Also, Cecil Kellaway plays Charles, Holger's manager.

This is a movie to watch because of the impressive debut of Ingrid Bergman, also because the glorious music.