FOREIGN IMPORTATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1940, Page 3

FOREIGN IMPORTATIONS

HOLLYWOOD'S LATEST EXPERIENCE. Silenced by Garbo, glamorised by Dietrich, tantalised by Lamarr, snubbed by Rainer, Hollywood certainly has had to cope with a wide range of Continental temperament. And so noi wonder the film city is puzzled by the < behaviour of its latest foreign importation. The name is Ingrid Bergman, twenty-two. hailing from Sweden. Miss Bergman went to Hollywood at the behest of David O. Selznick to play opposite Leslie Howard in “Intermezzo.” And Hollywood with its past experiences of accented queens is non-plus-sed, for Miss Bergman, according to studio reports, is not specially silent, glamorous, nor any of those things that have caused directors to tear their hair. Miss Bergman is a normal, hardworking actress, and as such is rapidly becoming a Hollywood sensation. An elaborate gown was created for Miss Bergman to wear in scenes of “Intermezzo.” When screen tests were made, the costume failed to meet the approval of studio stylists. It was promptly discarded. “But,” protested Miss Bergman. “I could change it myself. With a different design at the neck and shoulders, I'm sure it would do.” Collapse of dress designer! For the first time in Hollywood’s history, a star, and a foreign one at that, had offered to alter a gown, or objected to additional expense.

Miss Bergman must be the most conscientious actress who has ever arrived in Hollywood. She makes no. engagements of any kind during production and no plans that are likely to distract her from her work. She remains quite cheerful if the director goes on working until midnight, claiming that she does her best work at night after a long day. She was amazed when the studio provided her with a stand-in. Although she had starred in ten Swedish pictures, a stand-in was a luxury she had never enjoyed before. Selznick believes he has a big star in Miss Bergman, because of her exceptional talent and youthful charm. It was largely her performance in the Swedish version of “Intermezzo" that decided him to remake the story in Hollywood, casting her in her original role of a young pianiste with whom Leslie Howard becomes infatuated. She is a dusky blonde with Hazel eyes, and much taller than the average.