In Saratoga Trunk, a period romantic melodrama, Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper collaborated for the second time, after their successful teaming in the 1943 For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Based on the novel by Edna Ferber (“Giant”), adapted to the screen by Casey Robinson, it was directed by Sam Wood, who had also helmed “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”
Bergman, fresh off from winning the Best Actress Oscar for “Gaslight” in 1944, plays Clio Dulaine, a half-Creole woman who returns to 1875 New Orleans from Paris. Born out of the wedlock, Clio’s mother became pregnant by a wealthy, married landowner. Scandalized, his wife and family set about humiliating Clio’s mother, paying for Clio’s voyage to France.
Clio returns with a dwarf, Cupidon (Jerry Austin), and a maid, Angelique (Florence Robson) in her entourage. At the docks, Clio meets a handsome gambler from Texas, Colonel Clint Maroon (Gary Cooper).
Clio is delighted, but Maroon suspects that she is a gold digger. He thereupon departs for Saratoga Springs, where he is working on a railroad project.
Unfazed, Clio follows him there, bent on marrying either Clint or his business partner, Bart Van Steed (John Warburton).
“Saratoga Trunk” was shown to servicemen overseas in WWII before it was released to the general public.
Oscar Nominations: 1
Supporting Actress: Flora Robson
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
The winner of the Supporting Actress Oscar was Anne Baxter for “The Razor’s Edge.”
Credits:
Running time: 135 Minutes.
Directed by Sam Wood.
Written by Casey Robinson.
Released on November 21, 1945.
DVD on June 25, 1996
