This picture says it all, doesn't it? Romantic love sacrificed to a great cause. The noble fine gesture. Country before self and all that.
Was Humphrey ever so tough and manly, Ingrid ever so fragile?
The thing is, in real life Ingrid Bergman towered over the diminutive Humphrey Bogart.
So much so that he had to wear strapped on platform shoes. Here is a shot taken of his feet, relaxing between takes of the unforgettable movie, Casablanca:
Things are not always what they appear, n'est pas? Humphrey tottering around on these kinda spoils the image of the tough, shoot from the hip guy with the heart of gold.
And I truly wonder how they both kept straight faces during the filming.
Hi WWW
ReplyDeleteSomeone should make the loathsome Tom Cruise wear those.
xxx
Pants
I read once that Alan Ladd's female co-stars had to stand in a shallow trench in outdoor shots.
ReplyDeleteIn one way, WWW, it's comical, but in another it's rather sad that the idea of men having to be taller than women has such a hold on us, as a species.
ReplyDeleteI realise that, for filming, and art's sake, the sight of a man and woman of very different heights would be difficult to deal with in an artistic way, but the idea behind all this has given many men of lesser height inferiority complexes over the years.
That's sad. It's akin to those stick-thin models presenting "the ideal" to young girls. :-)
Films are full of tricks like that of course, suspension of disbelief is a necessary part of moviegoing. But yes, why do men have to be taller than women anyway? A fabulous film, Jenny and I love it. And Some Like It Hot of course.
ReplyDeleteLMAO! Talk about spoiling my illusions. I will never see the film in the same light.
ReplyDeletePants:
ReplyDeleteNewsflash: they do!!!
XO
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GFB:
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right, he was vertically challenged as well!!
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T:
ReplyDeleteI think Dudley Moore was one of those confident types who dated women nearly a foot taller than himself.
I, personally, have dated shorter men.
Isn't it the old story though, it's all how one feels about one self.
XO
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Nick:
ReplyDeleteAnd I honestly believe that knowing such trivia helps us all break away from impossible illusions about our own lives.
Apparently during the shooting of this movie, Humphrey's wife of the time, Mayo Methot, was so jealous of Ingrid she forbade him to speak with her and all through the shoot, he didn't. What great actors they were to produce such amazing love scenes...
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Hull:
ReplyDeleteI know it removes a little of the magic, doesn't it, when you think of him teetering in place!!
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If we want the illusion to last, it's best not to know these things. If, on the other hand, you are a realist, than you should know about all the gimmicks, and you should know about them at an early age, so that you learn so separate fact from fiction and do not grow up to be a star struck romantic, as was the case with me who used to fall for all the trappings. Luckily, I have been cured and now see things for what they are, but I still would not like a man to be shorter than I am. I would not want to have to bend down to kiss him. Sorry guys, I come from the country of tall men.
ReplyDeleteOh me too Irene, but today I prefer reality having learned from the school of hard knocks, like you.
ReplyDeleteBut a tiny part of me still believes in the magic of Casablanca!
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WWW
Couldn't agree more with you more about this film. I don't know what I like most. Bergman's vulnerability, Bogart's hurt and bitter toughness - and vulnerability. It's great for a man to watch as he enters his 40's, imagining he too - if only he was handsome and tough - could have one more chance and be Bogart and have Bergman in love with him. Immortal.
ReplyDeleteOF