★Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939) DVD★

Director : Gregory Ratoff                                    

actors : Ingrid Bergman, Leslie Howard, Edna Best       

Subtitles : English, Korean

【Storyline or Review】

# Nominated for 2 Oscars. 

At the Macy's Department Store Thanksgiving Day parade, the actor playing Santa is discovered to be drunk by a whiskered old man. Doris Walker, the no nonsense special 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. 

# Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939) User Review

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Gregg Tolland, Cinematographer, did win the 1940 Oscar, for Wuthering Heights, but he was also nominated for Intermezzo: A Love Story, in the same ceremony that same year. Having replaced Harry Stradling Sr., who passed away in 1970, and whose final three movies were with Barbra Streisand on Funny Girl, Hello Dolly, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and The Owl and the Pussycat. He goes uncreated on the Black and White 1939 movie of Intermezzo: A Love Story.

This is a piece of Cinematographers heaven, with the sheer beauty of light and shade that fill you with awe and astonishment, the atmospheric moods that highlight the drama that enlighten before us. This is visual storytelling at its brightest and never a dull moment.

Gregory Ratoff, Russian born in 1897 and who died in 1960, was in his life, an actor, and at other times, director, with director credits going to him for Intermezzo: A Love Story. He has the honour of directing the very beautiful Ingrid Bergman in her first Hollywood role. With her reprise of the same role from the 1936 movie: Intermezzo, this is her first English-speaking role too, (using also, the original screenplay writers of the 1936 movie). As this movie, minus front and rear credits, is only one hour and five minutes long, it would seem that such an recognisable plot would benefit both Studio Bosses and actress alike, no doubt, as an introduction to the English speaking masses.

Ms. Bergman's acting comes across as sincere and with her talent and beauty holds no bounds, she is amazing, her perfection and delivery are second to none. She perpetuates her skills with grace and professionalism that any would aspire too. 

Whilst on the other hand, Leslie Howard plays the decorous stick in the mud, with his simplistic role of the very upper middle class, and with his values and etiquette's that are so now dated, in the movies that is. He tries too hard to please, to come over as the archetypal highbrow and well-heeled good friend to everyone, except his own family. 

His greed for the other Love, in the end, breaks up this very happy, well-to-do, high society life. This can't be a bad thing by any means, for then we would not see the wonderful and charming acting ability of the young seven year old Ann Todd, who plays the victimised daughter caught between the heartbreak of the betrayed Mother and her cheating Father. Ann Todd is young, but her performance is extraordinary, next to any Hollywood actor of the time, they too would find it hard not to be out classed by Ms. Todd.

"Oh my God! Did I just see "that" or was I dreaming?" There is a very brief moment in Intermezzo: A Love Story which happens with Ms. Bergman, while she is in a shot all off her own, while looking down at her Lover, it took me by surprise and was, in a way, quite shocking and breath taking, you'll know what I mean after you have seen it. Very inventive and unexpected. 

Overall, Intermezzo: A Love Story is a beautifully shot movie that conveys the struggle of Marriage and how to keep the Family values together, while in the face of temptation. To convey the message that the grass may be a little greener on the other side, but only for a short while, and that Love, in the end, really does Conquer All.

One hour and five minutes of Hollywood bliss. Lose yourself. 

[Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939) DVD Spec]

Language: English 

Menu: English 

Subtitles: English / Korean 

Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Full Screen

Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0

Region: All Regions 

Length: 70mins