Saratoga Trunk (1945) User Reviews (36)

That Beautiful High Society

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 18 August 2006]

Saratoga Trunk was one of a handful of films done during the World War II years and not released to the general public until the war ended. Warner Brothers was especially big on that, another example would be the Humphrey Bogart/Barbara Stanwyck film The Two Mrs. Carrolls.

In the case of Saratoga Trunk though, it had a built in audience guaranteed because of the tremendous hit that director Sam Wood had already done at Paramount with Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, For Whom The Bell Tolls. They were such a smash box office hit with the public as a romantic duo that I guess Jack Warner craved a little of what Adolph Zukor was raking in at Paramount.

The vehicle for Wood/Cooper/Bergman is the Edna Ferber novel, Saratoga Trunk and I think it proved a bit too long for the screen. If it were done today it would have been a mini-series. In fact the film should have been done as a two parter because it's really two different stories with only the most fragile connection.

The first part is Ingrid Bergman and her posse, Flora Robson and Jerry Austin arrive in New Orleans where she is laying claim to the estate of her late father. Mom was a woman of easy virtue and Dad was old New Orleans creole society. She accidentally killed him back in the day. The scandal caused dad's family to see that society shunned her even after her term in prison.

Ingrid sets out to make the family pay and they do in many ways. She also meets Texan Gary Cooper while in the Big Easy. He's also out for some payback involving some railroad barons.

Both of them make their separate ways to Saratoga, during the 1890s the playground of the rich and famous. Cooper still has his score to settle and Bergman wants to snag a wealthy husband.

It might have been far better to treat the New Orleans and the Saratoga incidents as two separate films. Instead Warner Brothers and Sam Wood tried to pack it all in one film and it's over long.

Cooper and Bergman still retain the romantic appeal from For Whom The Bells Toll. They got some real good support from dwarf actor Jerry Austin as her faithful Cupidon and Flora Robson made up as a mixed racial Haitian servant. It's blackface yes, but Robson does not play it servile, not by any means.

Other good roles here are Florence Bates as the wise society dowager in Saratoga, Curt Bois as the family lawyer for Bergman's Dad's family who she negotiates with for a payoff, John Warburton as the object of her matrimony in Saratoga and Ethel Griffies as his mother. Warburton proves to be something of an unpleasant surprise for Bergman.

Bergman has the far showier role as Cleo Dulaine, but Cooper does have his moments. There is a climatic brawl that he's involved in with two factions trying to control a railway trunkline in Saratoga.

Well that's where the title comes from. What, did you think it was Ingrid Bergman's baggage?

Reminiscent of a certain Southern book

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 1 September 2008]

"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 long 135 minutes.

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 31 May 2018]

Producer: Hal B. Wallis. Copyright 30 March 1946 by Warner Bros Pictures Inc. A Warner Bros-First National picture. A Hal B. Wallis Production. New York opening at the Hollywood: 21 November 1945. U.S. release: 30 March 1946. U.K. release: 8 April 1946. Australian release: 16 May 1946. 12,409 feet. 137½ minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Beautiful fortune-hunter Clio Dulaine arrives back in her native New Orleans, after a long absence, with her bizarre body servant, the mulatto Angelique, and the dwarf Cupidon. In the French market, Clio meets Clint Maroon, a cowboy from Texas, and an immediate and intense mutual love is ignited, despite Angelique's protests. All of New Orleans buzzes over this romance, which reminds them all of the old Dulaine family scandal involving Clio's dead parents.

NOTES: With gross domestic rentals of $4.3 million, number 7 at U.S./Canadian ticket windows for 1945.

Despite both Cooper's and Bergman's enormous popularity in Australia, the film came in at number 27 of the year's box-office successes. The reason was simple. Quite a few cinemas did not screen Warner Bros movies.

Miss Robson lost out on Hollywood's annual award for Best Supporting Actress to Anne Baxter in The Razor's Edge.

COMMENT: Commences most promisingly with the return of Miss Bergman to the old family mansion to avenge her mother (shades of King's Row).

Unfortunately, this story is wound up with astonishing expedition and the film degenerates into an extended dialogue between its two attractive stars, superlatively photographed in rich black and white against tasteful sets.

Finally, the author introduces an entirely different setting which erupts in a brief episode of action before the predictable fade-out.

The film is realised with taste, elegance and craftsmanship - indeed it is one of Wood's most stylish films, and it has a marvellous Steiner score - but it seems a long 135 minutes.

Brilliant, witty, romantic drama--first class!

[Hill-2 · 19 March 2002]

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.

great supporting cast

[kjell1 · 7/10 · 29 November 2001]

Perhaps this movie is a little too long, but it still has some charm 45 years later. The main roles seem more appropriate for Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. I could care less about Gary Cooper, but Ingrid Bergman is fine, particularly in dark hair. The movie is worth seeing for the supporting cast: Flora Robson is terrific as a mulatto servant. She is a white woman in blackface, and can have an expression of evil or of a voodoo mistress. Jerry Austin as a servant dwarf has a delightful role, that keeps you chuckling despite some overlong scenes. Speaking of scenes, Florence Bates steals most of the ones she is in as a dowager social lady. I didn't understand the outcome of the railroad fight at the end of the movie, and the last scene was pure Hollywood dreck. It's an odd feeling when you realize the film title refers to a railroad rather than a piece of luggage!

Two wildly different movies for the price of one

[slothropgr · 7/10 · 15 March 2011]

This movie is like that old breath mint commercial--you get two (clap) two (clap) TWO flicks in one! The first stars Ingrid Bergman in a tale of revenge in the Big Easy, the second Coop in a railroad adventure taking place 2000 miles away. "Trunk" in this case having nothing to do with luggage, but with a railroad's trunk line. So the title has nothing ay-tall to do with the first half of the movie. In fact except for Coop, Bergman and her bizarre servants neither half has anything to do with the other period. While the novel probably tied these two widely disparate stories together, the movie doesn't bother. You know they're going to end up together, the only question (seeing that they have as little in common as their stories) is how. They're Ingrid and Coop, that's how. NOT one of those romances that make you wonder how they'll get along after the marriage. That said, I enjoyed it. Coop plays Coop, 'nuff said. Ingrid's character is unapologetically out for blood and makes almost no attempt at being sympathetic. It's the perfect antidote for those tired of her hapless helpless milquetoasts in "Casablanca" and "Gaslight." She's gorgeous and in your face. Saved both flicks for me. Great train collision at the end, too--real ones, or so they tell me.

Delightful

[nbroyles · 7/10 · 16 June 2012]

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.

A lady of scandal on and off screen.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 9 May 2017]

After "Gaslight", Ingrid Bergman was all over the cinema, and in 1945, topped herself with "The Bells of St. Mary's" and "Spellbound". She also appeared in this version of a possibly unfilmable novel, strange both on film and on stage later on as a lavish musical flop. This version of the Edna Ferber novel is an artistic misfire, stunning to look at but rather avant- garde and difficult to get through without finding something to laugh at.

There's a lot to admire in this high budgeted potboiler, melodramatic and often over acted and pretentious in its ambitions. Ingrid Bergman takes the dark lady image of fellow Swede Greta Garbo to the max, outrageously absurd in parts and sincere and feminine in others. She's the scourge of a well to do New Orleans family, returning to bury her notorious mother in the family plot. Hooking up with a notorious Texan (Gary Cooper), she longs to break into society and ends up in Saratoga Springs where, thanks to an outrageously Bohemian blackmailer (an absolutely delightful Florence Bates) seems to do just that.

Bergman's constant companions are spooky looking servant Flora Robson (twice as bizarre as she was in "Caesar and Cleopatra") and excitable dwarf Jerry Austin. The lavish Max Steiner score is as important a character as the settings are, but at times, this seems to be striving for camp, not necessarily a good idea. Ripe for parody, I would not be surprised to find that this was spoofed on the Carol Burnett show with Burnett as Bergman, Lyle Wagner as Cooper, Vicki Lawrence as Robson, Tim Conway as Austin and Harvey Korman as Bates.

A Little Real History in A highly Fictionalized Story

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 3 September 2006]

I have to admit I am prejudiced about my vote on this film, but I have strong reasons as I know some of the true history that was given the Hollywood treatment here. Edna Ferber's novel upon which this is based is from an era where real names can't be used. In a way, this film is all smoke & mirrors. Even though it was released in 1946, it was filmed shortly after Casablanca. Ingrid Bergman is at her most radiant in this movie as a brunette.

She plays a beautiful woman who is trying to trade on her beauty to get a rich husband. Today that is a gold digger, but in this social era, she is desirable & the kind of woman who makes all the men want her, & all the old snooty society types talk of her & avoid her, while wishing they were her. Ingrid is at her best & plays this role well.

Some sympathy for Ingrids character is raised in the New Orleans section of this film as she manages to get a decent belated tomb for her scandalized mother as part of the settlement by her relatives to get her to leave New Orleans. The snooty family of relatives there are so scandalized by her that they will do almost anything she asks to get her to leave town.

Gary Cooper is good in this film though he already appears to be aging a bit to play a dashing Texan Bachelor/Gambler. He pulls it off well considering that handicap which he appeared older than he was due to his real life chain smoking. Flora Robison as Ingrid's Maid got nominated for an Oscar as supporting actress in this film. Jerry Austin as Cupidor was over-looked in many ways for his role but is the only comic relief in the film & does it well.

When the film moves to Saratoga, it depicts accurately how important Saratoga was in that era. I like the sequence when Bergman walks to the Saratoge Spring to get some of the "sulfur" water which everyone considered so healthy then. When she drinks some she forces herself not to make a face and comments how good it is & that she must have more.

The real history is the railroad battle which really occurred on the rail line in Tunnel, New York- which is the actual Saratoga Trunk the film title is derived from. This battle actually happened in 1869 between agents for Andrew Carnagie & J. P. Morgan. The line was the economic key to the country in 1869 connecting coal country & the east coast. The references to it are throughout the film are very real. There is even some dialog describing Carnagie as a "Scot" though the reference is vague & unfamiliar to anyone not knowing the history around the battle.

The railroad line & the railroad tunnel in Tunnel, New York (zip code 13848) still exist although the film was shot in California. The real tunnel is about 1 mile long. It is still part of a key freight line today, years after this occurred. I grew up there. Gary Cooper's line in the film while he is riding the train into the tunnel is right, it is still "mighty pretty country".

once upon a time in New Orleans

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 12 February 2023]

Having cast Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman in "For Whom the Bell Tolls", Sam Wood reunited them for "Saratoga Trunk", based on Edna Ferber's novel. This time they play a Texas gambler and a Creole heiress who join up in 1870s New Orleans to take on a world that's rejected them.

I've never read Ferber's novel (and most likely never will, considering how long it takes me to get through books), but the movie is worth seeing. Parts of the movie drag, but it's worth the wait for a certain scene later in the movie. Obviously the cringey thing is the casting of Flora Robson in blackface (she even got an Oscar nod for the role!); I guess that Hollywood wasn't yet ready to cast Ethel Waters or Lena Horne in this sort of role yet. Other than that, it's a fine movie.

For the record, long before I even knew about this movie, I saw the name Saratoga Trunk in the Daffy Duck cartoon "Book Revue" (Daffy gets some clothes out of the trunk for his performance).

Saratoga Stunk

[utgard14 · 4/10 · 22 June 2014]

One of the worst films Gary Cooper or Ingrid Bergman ever made. What were they thinking with this? I adore Ingrid. She's very high on my list of favorite actresses. But she is absolutely dreadful in this! She overacts and chews scenery like few I've ever seen. Poor miscast Gary Cooper looks like he doesn't know what he got himself into. Don't even get me started on Ingrid's friends -- Flora Robson in blackface and a dwarf. I expected Bela Lugosi and the Bowery Boys to pop up at any minute!

The script is cringeworthy. Watching actors you respect say painfully bad lines is not fun. You could tell in some scenes Cooper wished he could be anywhere else but filming this mess. To make a bad movie worse, the darned thing goes on forever. A running time of over two hours in the 1940s was usually reserved for epics. Makes me wonder if WB foolishly thought this was going to be another Gone with the Wind. Anyway, a total dud but fans of these two great movie stars might want to check it out just for curiosity's sake.

Ingrid, Gary and Mac Steiners Score

[Ishallwearpurple · 10/10 · 29 August 2001]

Ingrid Bergman (Cleo Dulaine) has never been so beautiful. Gary Cooper as "Cleent" so perfectly cast as a laconic Texan who knows this gal is up to no good. When the two lock eyes at the French Market, we know this match will be full of sparks. When they stroll in her garden in her restored French Quarter house and the love theme plays it is a dream for all us romantics.

The costumes are lovely; the set decoration makes you wish the "Quarter" was just that way. And that Saratoga still had that hotel with the wide veranda with all the old biddies gossiping.

From Edna Ferbers novel, the story is of revenge for old wrongs and the fights over who would run the railroads in the early days of that industry.

In the Saratoga scenes, Florence Bates as a grand dame steals every scene.

But it is the scene of Cleo taking on the little lawyer her New Orleans relatives have sent to buy her off that is a Magic Movie Moment. After Cleo has bested him in the negotiations, he looks at her with longing and says "may I say - you are very-beautiful". And Cleo with a happy, wicked smile says "yes, isn't it lucky." You want to shout "YES"!!!

One of my all time favorite romantic films.

Not Her Best

[tmjohnson57 · 6/10 · 18 May 2020]

This was not the best movie for Ingrid Bergman and I could see Hedi Lamar in the role but Hedi couldn't have worn the gowns like Bergman. Also, there was great chemistry between Bergman and Cooper. Flora Robson is a wonderful actress but the black face was just wrong and so many other black actresses could have played the part. Robson's makeup distracted me through the whole movie - she looked ridiculous.

As far as I'm concerned, one of Ingrid Bergman's worst films

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 5/10 · 22 October 2015]

One of our other reviewers beat me to the use of "Saratoga Stunk", so I'll have to settle for "Saratoga Flunk". Somehow I had never seen this film, and when I saw it listed on TCM my thought was, "Oh boy, Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman together. This will be great." Gary Cooper is just fine here. He may be the best thing about the film, in fact. I can't say the same for Ingrid Bergman, despite the fact that I usually very much enjoy her performances. This marks only the second film I've ever seen her in that I disliked (immensely), the other being "Anastasia". She even looks goofy in this film.

And then there's the midget. Was he supposed to be that creepy? And then there's the matter of Flora Robson, a fine WHITE English actress, who plays a BLACK Haitian maid in black face. Fine performance, but perhaps the worst makeup job in the history of Hollywood.

Florence Bates, a very reliable character actress, has a good role for which she was perfect. John Warburton is good as a railroad executive and alternate romantic interest for Bergman.

The story is about a young woman who intends to get revenge for the way she and her family were treated in New Orleans. Unfortunately, it all seems so terribly petty. I was thinking that Vivien Leigh could have pulled it off, but Bergman simply ends up looking rather foolish. Much of the film is little more than a drawing room costume drama, although there is a great action sequence late in the picture involving the railroad trunk line in question (no, the trunk in the title is not about a suitcase trunk). Perhaps the film redeems itself a bit in the last 20 minutes, but it's a long slog...well over 2 hours.

There are those who like this film, but I think it's just horrible...and I see I am not alone.

Unbearable except for the Steiner score...

[Doylenf · 29 October 2004]

For sheer boredom, I can't think of another movie of this period that disappoints me at every turn. Both stars are badly miscast (with Swedish Bergman in a black wig), Flora Robson donning dark make-up that makes her almost unrecognizable, and a storyline that drags at an interminable pace.

The only bright spots are Florence Bates in a juicy supporting role and a melodic Max Steiner romantic score out of which came a warm melody called 'As Long As I Live'.

Well, as long as I live, I can't see why anyone can work up much interest or enthusiasm for this Edna Ferber tale that hardly ranks with her best work. Steiner, fortunately, was able to find inspiration even when the film itself was no more than ordinary. The chemistry between Cooper and Bergman is hardly noticeable here.

Trivia: Jack Warner was considering Olivia de Havilland for the role Bergman plays. De Havilland was having contract troubles with the studio at that time and mercifully she managed to let this one escape after complaining of being overworked.

Better Than the Book by Far

[ldeangelis-75708 · 7/10 · 14 January 2023]

I almost didn't watch this, because I didn't care for Edna Ferber's novel, but since I like both Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper (and I didn't like the book "Showboat" or "Cimarron" either but loved both the movies) I decided to check it out, and I'm glad I did.

Bergman plays Clio Dulaine, who's determined to take 19thc New Orleans society by storm, after she and her mother were rejected by her father's aristocratic family, who refused permission for the couple to marry, leading to her father's death.

Her plan is to marry a wealthy society man and make a proper name for herself among the social elite. There's no place in her plans for Texas gambler Clint Maroon, no matter what her heart tries to tell her!

There's a lot more to this story than historical romance and you really feel the atmosphere of both New Orleans and Saratoga in the late 19thc.

Don't miss this one.

It's just awful and silly

[planktonrules · 2/10 · 31 December 2006]

The film begins with Ingrid Bergman and her two freaky servants arriving in New Orleans from Paris. Apparently years earlier, her mother was involved in a scandal and Ingrid returned in an effort to irritate kin who would have sooner forgotten she or her mother existed. That's because she reasons if they are shocked enough, they'll pay her off to get rid of her. Then, with this money, she will leave New Orleans and seek out a millionaire somewhere else, as she poses as a Countess. Along the way, Gary Cooper shows up and looks totally out of place as a love interest.

It's amazing that this film wasn't the reason that Ingrid Bergman's film career plummeted--her performance and character were THAT bad! Instead of the classy and demure female she usually played in films, she is probably one of the most annoying characters in film. Her fake Contessa was shallow, demanding, unpredictable and stupefyingly dumb. How she was able to vamp ANY man seemed a mystery, as she seemed less vampish than just plain nuts!! I am not exaggerating to say that she behaved, at times, like someone with a combination of a severe mental illness and a personality disorder, and all these together make me think "who in the world would fall in love with this mess?!". Frankly, I couldn't stand watching her histrionics and narcissistic behavior and she looked more like a guest on "The Jerry Springer Show" than a leading lady! Confusing, awful and overacted are words that come to mind when I think about her role.

The rest of the cast is, frankly, overwhelmed by Bergman's ranting and hysterics. While Gary Cooper is generally an excellent leading man, he is dominated by her and just looks lost. And, oddly, they cast two total weirdos as her entourage--Flora Robson and Jerry Austin. Ms. Robson is best known for her portrayals of Queen Elizabeth I, but here, for some odd reason, they coated her in makeup and the end result looked much like the love child of a cigar store Indian and Aunt Jemima! Her face was very wooden, she sported odd eyebrows and she dressed like a slave. As for Mr. Austin, he was a dwarf and while this shouldn't be held against him, his role was written like he was a court jester--a very, very thankless role for someone who is "vertically challenged"! Overall, the rotten acting, writing and limp direction make this one of the big stinkers of the age--nearly as pointless and dull as such famous turkeys as PARNELL and SWING YOUR LADY.

So much Ingrid, so beautiful

[bobt145 · 9/10 · 6 August 2010]

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'm a non believer

[rparker-14 · 2/10 · 4 January 2011]

this film is full of grotesques with nothing more demeaning ever than flora Robson's blacking up ,what was that all about. Ingrid Bergman is one of those actresses your supposed to like no matter what she does .well i just don't buy her creole seductress.in the black wig the over rouged mouth she gives good impression of what Hedy lamarr might have looked like if shed been cast which she was but mayer wouldn't lend her . Hedy had smoulder Ingrid was always too sanitised . Gary copper acting style has dated his underplaying now looks like a familiar set of mannerisms .there's something rancid about this movie. it wasn't released for two years and didn't do as well as was expected .Bergman's penchant to grab everything, play everything ,is exposed in this movie for what it is -an actress of high ambition out of her depths .Bergman was good but mainly when she played Ingrid Bergman- endless repetitions of intermezzo scream at me if you like i'm a non believer and this film is a dud

Gary and Ingrid smolder!

[NativeTexan · 10/10 · 15 November 2003]

A fantastic movie, and very overlooked. Gary has never been more handsome, and Ingrid is more beautiful than in ANY other film. If you don't believe, just watch the movie. Every cast member is wonderful; the love scenes between Gary and Ingrid will make your pulse race! The story is great, the script is Oscar caliber. Don't miss this film!!

Blackface?

[zellyblue · 2/10 · 11 August 2018]

Yuck. Meandering and pointless execrable exercise in bad Hollywood film making. Wonderful Ingrid Bergman wasted and Flora Robson in black face. Nuff said. Wonderful supporting cast has nothing to support.

Sizzle. Sizzle. Cooper is hotttt!!

[gkeith_1 · 1 February 2010]

Clio was right. Cleent was "beautiful". Mrs. Bellop was right. With Coop's big shoulders and narrow hips, Clio would have been stupid to give that up in place of that milksop rich guy, Bartholomew Van Steed. I guess Mrs. Sophie Bellop didn't get her money, but ah well. Clio ended up with Cleent, and I'm sure the children turned out to be handsome, tall boys and beautiful, charming and coquettish girls. Turns out Clint ended up wealthy, so Clio got the handsome guy and the money, too, $$$$. Gary Cooper was one tall, cool and handsome drink of water.

When Mrs. Bellop gave Mrs. Van Steed her comeuppance, I laughed out loud. Showing up Mrs. Van S. was indeed a stroke of genius. I always enjoy seeing Florence Bates, especially in "On The Town".

Ingrid Bergman was awesome. She was very beautiful, and I enjoyed hearing her mixture of French and English. She looked very wonderful in the costuming.

Jerry Austin (Cupidon) stole the show, in my book. When he told Clint, "I am a man!!," it was a heartwarming moment for me. Small actors and characters are tired of being treated as goofy marionettes.

Love New Orleans French Quarter, and loved seeing the neighborhoods in this movie. Jambalaya a good memory. These streets and foods still exist.

Loved seeing Flora Robson, an English actress, in her role as Angelique. She had the American accent down well, plus the New Orleans patois. Her raised eyebrows could sink ships. I thought that her makeup and costuming were perfect for the role. Also, she actually loved Clio, as well as Cupidon and even Clint.

12/10

Mediocre film, waste of great actors!!

[SusanJL · 5/10 · 12 May 2017]

This film is in serious need of editing - the first two-thirds or so is BORING and meanders aimlessly. I've never seen Ingrid Bergman chew up the scenery like this, she seemed to be channeling her inner Scarlett O'Hara (and not in a good way). Flora Robson looks ridiculous in black face, surely they could find a black actress??? The only character I liked a lot was the little man Cupidon, he was charming and great comic relief. Florence Bates livens up the proceedings immeasurably near the end, she's always a great character actress. But so much of this movie seems to be a very poor imitation of GWTW. But Ingrid does look lovely. Gary Cooper looks too old for his part. Just my two cents.

Saratoga Trunk

[susanmcobb · 10/10 · 18 October 2006]

I grew up in New York City and every afternoon ABC would show the 4:30 movie- Saratoga Trunk was one of the first movies I remember watching as a kid. I loved this movie and it has stayed with me for years. I recently watched it again and still thought it was great - maybe I am just a romantic - but I thought it was well done. I do not want to say this movie was good only because of the main actors - I really did not know who they were when I first saw this movie - I guess I just knew quality acting as a child. Both Bergman and Cooper were excellent. I especially loved seeing old New Orleans during the time period of this movie . If you ever get a chance to visit New Orleans - you should watch movies that show the city during that time period - when you get to see some of the old homes in the French Quarter(not just Bourbon Street) or uptown, you can truly imagine life as it was 100 years ago.

I love old movies - this one to me is a good flick!!

Awful Warner Brothers tosh.

[BatonRougeMike · 3/10 · 17 January 2021]

There's a reason that some films, even if they do have great stars in them, are best left to linger in the shadows. They do not stand up to the light of the present day. I had never seen this film and had harboured over the decades my belief that it had something to do with a large trunk, as in suitcase, that contained within it secrets...

By God, it's jaw droppingly dreadful. Whose idea was it to cast Flora Robson in blackface? Yes, I know, it was a less 'woke' Hollywood in 1943 but even so. Could they not have enlisted the talents of a black actress, even if the role itself was essentially demeaning..why make it worse? The fact that Robson was actually nominated for an Oscar for this is just amazing to me. Then there's the dehumanization of the dwarf actor involved and his various humiliations. I understand that all this was then and should be viewed as such but in 2021 it's really too much to ask. Added to which the furious over acting of Bergman is like fingernails on a blackboard. Will you, for the love of God, just ease up on it? But no. It's relentless. And does it go on or does it go on? The film seems positively the length of an undersea cable, it's agonisingly endless, not to mention encrusted with barnacles. Gary Cooper is Gary Cooper is Gary Cooper, this film wastes his particularly laconic talents and his character is of little real interest or substance. Supporting roles by Florence Bates and the redoubtable Ethel Griffies provide interest and there is, I suppose, pleasure to be derived from some lovely photography. There is A grade Hollywood production values sewn into it, there's no doubt about it. But, no. This is one of those lush pieces of nonsense that ought to be put away, quietly, but firmly, out of circulation. Rated NFPDA. (Not For Present Day Audiences).