Spiel mit dem Schicksal

The ultimate entertaining, hugely satisfying movie experience. Gary Copoper and Ingrid Bergman at their absolute peak, she in a role so different from her others--witty, flirtatious theatrical--a light-year from the nun in BELLS OF ST. MARY'S the same year. Sharp, live-wire screenplay from an engaging, bright novel by Edna Ferber, her best. Great Steiner music, quality supporting cast, sumptuous production, full of personality. A treasure.

I'll leave it to one of the ladies to give us judgment on Gary Cooper's charm.

For me, this is Ingrid Bergman at her absolute best. Shot just after Casablanca, the screenplay and Sam Wood's common sense choose to focus on Ingrid in every scene but the brief, although well done, train wreck and brawl.

She is radiant, sly, coquettish, warm, reactive, piercing, soft, hard. Most of all, she is desirable. A woman for all time, for all women.

And she is strong. Melting for a brief second, gathering her resolve and forging ahead with her plans and schemes.

The Edna Ferber novel has enough truth to provide a reasonable story line for Ingrid to carry along single handedly. Cooper and Jerry Austin as Cupidon are excellent. Florence Bates gets too little time, too late as a matron with claws.

And French, yes, bless them, they allowed Ingrid to speak French, which she did so beautifully.

The current 6.2 Yahoo rating is laughable. "Saratoga Trunk" may not be a "Casablanca" or "Notorious" but it is far better than this lowly rating. See for yourself.

I found this movie simply delightful! It was lighthearted and fun, even though (or perhaps because?) it contained much conniving, a dash of revenge, a spat of violence, and a heaping helping of delicious conspiracy. The protagonist and all her cohorts are certainly not pillars of virtue, but then again, in reality, people never really are, are they? Besides, all the shenanigans going on are what make it so fun to watch! Ingrid Bergman is gorgeous as the leading lady, and Gary Cooper perfectly cast as the dashing Texan and the rest of the supporting cast definitely added to the fun! Don't get hung up on the history, improbability or the few bad reviews. Give it a chance. It left me with a smile, and I'm a tough cookie! Enjoy! WARNING: Do not watch this if you are looking for a serious period piece with lofty values, and high moral content. Watch it with some popcorn, in your jammies when you're in the mood for some light entertainment. It fits the bill.

"Saratoga Trunk" is a 1945 film starring Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper. It's based on a 1941 book by the great Edna Ferber. Subconsciously she may have had Gone with the Wind on the brain; parts of the story reminded me of GWTW.

Set in the 1890s, Clio Dulaine is an illegitimate child who returns from New Orleans from France with a mulatto servant (Flora Robson) and a dwarf servant, Cupidon (Jerry Austin). She has given herself a Countess title and claims to be a widow. Her mother killed her father by accident, and his family shunned her. Clio takes over the old homestead with the idea of embarrassing her half-sister and the wife of her father, which she does by calling great attention to herself. Her plan is to marry someone very wealthy who can give her the security and respectability she craves. Then she spots Clint Maroon (Cooper), a Texas gambler, and falls for him. The two have a volatile relationship - and he doesn't have any money, so she can't marry him - so he leaves for Saratoga Springs. Eventually the Dulaine family has enough, and their attorney gives her $10,000 to get out of town. She does. She goes to Saratoga Springs and goes after the owner of the railroad, Bart von Steed. But Clint is always around.

Bergman is beautiful in dark hair and wearing the period costumes, and Cooper is drop-dead gorgeous with that incredible 300-watt smile of his. How she could resist him is beyond me. And the love scenes - whoa, what chemistry! The supporting cast is excellent, Robson and Cupidon creating interesting characters, and Florence Bates giving an excellent performance as a socially prominent woman who takes Clio under her wing, knowing she's a big fake.

The film runs a little long, and some of the acting may seem old-fashioned today, but it's an absorbing story filled with atmosphere and vivid performances. The ending won't come as any surprise. It's a fun journey, though.

A must-see film for any Gary Cooper or Ingrid Bergman fan, Saratoga Trunk shows them both off to great effect. Cooper is especially good in a serio-comic role as a no-nonsense Texan playing off of Bergman's frivolous, free-spirited social climber. She has a penchant for stirring up mischief as she wields her feminine charms amongst the dueling rail-baron wannabee's at an elegant Saratoga Springs resort.

A terrific supporting cast adds lots of flavor, and Florence Bates almost walks off with the film as a street-wise society matron who helps Bergman navigate through the seas of snobbery and aristocratic treachery.

It has been said by some that both Cooper and Bergman are miscast in their roles, a matter of opinion, ultimately. They both make their respective roles their own, and it's my opinion that it's difficult to imagine anyone else playing them, especially with their level of chemistry. Every film has flaws; the good acting here more than makes up for this film's few shortcomings. Well worth a look.