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I don't mean the words in this post title in the way you might expect. Although Ingrid was cremated, her ashes were divided. Some were scattered at sea off the Swedish coast, and the rest were buried near her parents' graves in Stockholm.
What I'm talking about, though, is an event from 1950, thirty-two years before Ingrid died, when she was held up on the US Senate floor (in what might today be referred to as a "slut-shaming" speech)—surely by one of the most grandstanding and moralistic US Senators in history—Edwin C. "Big Ed" Johnson of Colorado.
By then, Ingrid had already made some glorious movies: starring as Paula Alquist Anton, the unfortunate wife of manipulative narcissist Gregory in Gaslight; and as Hitchcock's muse in a trio of his masterpieces, Spellbound, Notorious, and Under Capricorn. And—in her greatest triumph, IMHO—as Ilsa Lund in the impeccable and heroic Casablanca, perhaps the greatest and best movie ever made.
So beautiful.
And then she had an extramarital affair.
As a result of the official and personal attacks, Bergman abandoned Hollywood for several years, returning in 1956 for the lead role in Anastasia.
In 1972, twenty-two years after Johnson's official government attacks on Bergman, Republican Senator Charles Percy entered a belated apology on Congress's behalf into the Congressional Record, saying that
I know that across the land, millions of Americans would wish to join me in expressing their regrets for the personal and professional persecution that caused Ingrid Bergman to leave this country at the height of her career. Miss Bergman is not only welcome in America; we are deeply honored by her visits here.
Lovely. Still, here's what Edwin Johnson had said, a couple of decades before:
Out of the ashes of Ingrid Bergman will grow a better Hollywood--US Senator Edwin C. Johnson, March 14, 1950
Sure. Yeah. Right.
Today, the Oscars! What has come to be the annual celebration of mediocrity and of mediocre self-celebrators celebrating their mediocre selves. Does their talent actually matter? I don't know anymore. It seems that a critical aside about "cats" may be enough to torpedo "Best Actress" Jessie Buckley's hopes. And Timothéeéeée Chalamet's prospects for "Best Actor" may have been sunk by his remarks that not all that many people enjoy ballet and opera. Neither of these comments has anything to do with their acting ability, but everything to do with their acceptability to the diversiculture.
Where is Joan Rivers when we need her? If only to comment on the ghastly fashion on display.
Is this the "better Hollywood" of Johnson's dreams?
I doubt it.
The scene that always makes me cry:
Some things are timeless. Even today. 😉
Discussion (9)
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Yeah. Since the very first many, many years ago to this day, every one of the rooms where I've seen the movie suddenly, inexplicably got "dusty" when the Marseillaise scene gets underway. Usually, around the time Madeleine Lebeau appears on the screen:
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I never thought it would come to this, but my, oh my, how I miss Joan Rivers!!
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Yes, tears here, too; my wife teases me about it. I even got choked up when Le Marseillaise was played during the Winter Olympics closing ceremony a couple of weeks ago.
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It’s very effective and moving. The tune is catchy. I wonder what people think when they see the lyrics in English. Most national anthems are a paean to glory, tradition or geography. I’m not aware of a more blood thirsty national song.
Arise, children of the Fatherland
Our day of glory has arrived
Against us the bloody flag of tyranny
is raised; the bloody flag is raised.
Do you hear, in the countryside
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They’re coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons, your comrades!
To arms, citizens!
Form your battalions
Let’s march, let’s march
That their impure blood
Should water our fields.
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Interesting that Hollywood has stones to throw at glass houses. They have gone down the tubes. I wonder where the really good actors are, making a film that makes sense, like the old days. I love Ingrid and Casablanca and I get weepy during the same scene. Here are some of the greats that chose honor over their careers:
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