Intermezzo (United Artists 1939, Ingrid Bergman, Leslie Howard)

Ingrid Bergman made her Hollywood debut in Intermezzo in a role she had played three years earlier in Sweden. She is absolutely luminous as the concert pianist who diverts violin virtuoso Howard from his wife and children.

After a whirlwind tour together, Howard finds the pull of family too much, leaving Bergman alone with her music. The classic romantic melodrama with a classical-music setting. Jascha Heifetz dubbed Howard’s violin parts.

DP Gregg Toland’s work on Intermezzo earned him an Oscar nomination, but he lost–to himself! Having also shot Wuthering Heights (1939) that year, he was awarded the Oscar for that film’s cinematography.

Academy Award Nominations: Best Black-and-White Cinematography, Best Score.

production details
USA | United Artists | 70 minutes | 1939
Director: Gregory Ratoff
Script: Gösta Stevens, Gustaf Molander, George O’Neil,

cast
Leslie Howard as Holger Brandt
Ingrid Bergman as Anita Hoffman
Cecil Kellaway as Charles Moler, The Impressario
Edna Best as Margit Brandt
Eleanor Wesselhoeft as Emma
John Halliday as Thomas Stenborg
Enid Bennett as Greta
Ann Todd as Ann Marie
Douglas Scott as Eric
Maria Flynn as Marianne
Billy Connelly as (uncredited)
Richard Court as (uncredited)
Marvin Davis as (uncredited)
Dee Dodd as (uncredited)
Doris Lloyd as Schoolteacher at Accident Scene (uncredited)
Robert Ferrero as (uncredited)
Billy Finnegan as (uncredited)
Holmes Herbert as The Doctor (uncredited)
Dickie Meyers as (uncredited)
Michael Miller as (uncredited)
Edmund Mortimer as Extra in Stage Wing with Charles (uncredited)
Raymond Rayhill Powell as (uncredited)
Spencer Quinn as (uncredited)
Dee Swaney as (uncredited)
Frankie Ward as (uncredited)
Norman Salling as (uncredited)