This is a beautiful black and white film and Gregg Toland was nominated for an Academy Award for best cinematographer. Concert violinist Holger Brandt, Leslie Howard (Gone with the Wind), spends much of his life on tours, and loses perspective of his family ties. When his accompanist retires he goes home for awhile until the next tour. Intermezzo! He has an adorable family: wife, Greta Stenborg, Enid Bennett (Strike Up the Band), a daughter and one son, and also a cute dog (which he had never seen before).
His daughter is studying piano and the piano teacher is Anita Hoffman, played by beautiful, Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca) in her first English speaking role. Anita Hoffman is not only a piano teacher but is also an accomplished pianist. Anita is competing for a scholarship to further her music studies in France. After Holger hears Anita play, he invites her to go on a tour with him. They fall in love feeling guilt and shame at the same time. His wife suspects, and he himself tells her about it. Anita decides not to teach the daughter anymore. Holger leaves his wife so the two can go off to Italy on a tour together. While she is away his daughter keep listening on the radio and the record to her favorite piece, Intermezzo, one that her father wrote. The score for the movie was done by Louis Forbes who was nominated for an Academy Award. His wife files for divorce and he is hesitant to sign the papers. Anita realizes, as she says "I have been an intermezzo in his life." She wins the scholarship and decides to accept it and with much sorrow she leaves him. He then signs the papers for divorce. He goes home much later. He brings the camera his daughter asked for. He parks his car across the street from her school. In her hurry to see her father, she runs across the street without looking and is hit by a car. He brings his daughter to his former home and stays there until his daughter recovers. As soon as she recovers, he starts to leave and his wife asks him to stay home.
Favorite Quote :" I wonder if anyone has built happiness on the unhappiness of others." Favorite Scenes: Daughter playing a duet with dad, has small hands almost do not make an octave on the piano. Anita wearing a man's tie in 1937! The good-bye scene in front of store window.
This is a very interesting and beautiful love story, where the viewer is tossed by their moral belief system and the love of those two people, at least I was. I have the tape and enjoy watching it!
