INTERMEZZO: A LOVE STORY (1939) B/W 70m dir: Gregory Ratoff

w/Leslie Howard, Ingrid Bergman, Edna Best, John Halliday, Cecil Kellaway, Enid Bennett, Ann Todd, Douglas Scott, Eleanor Wesselhoeft, Marie Flynn

This story of a married concert violinist (Howard) who falls in mutual love with his children's piano teacher (Bergman) is sometimes more wimpy than weepy, but Bergman's luminous American debut makes this movie worthwhile.

From Variety's review of the film: "Intermezzo is an American remake of a picture turned out three years earlier in Sweden, which Gustav Molander directed, with Ingrid Bergman in the femme lead. [Producer David O. Selznick brought Bergman to the US specifically for the remake, and we should all be grateful to him for that.]

"Story structure [based on original by Molander and Gosta Stevens] is a love triangle involving a famed concert violinistand a young girl pianist, but the romance lacks persuasiveness.

"Leslie Howard, who functions as star and associate producer, is eclipsed by Bergman. Latter is beautiful, talented and convincing, providing an arresting performance and a warm personality that introduces a new stellar asset to Hollywood. She has charm, sincerity and an infectious vivaciousness.

"Picture unwinds at a leisurely pace, without theatrics of too great intensity in the romantic passages."

The film was nominated for Best Score, and the theme music, composed by Henri Provost, was very popular.