Smit studies the woman behind the public image as a natural, wholesome, even saintly person, an image carefully crafted by Bergman’s first producer David O. Selznick. Bergman hid behind that image to live her life on her own terms. That life included three difficult marriages, numerous lovers, and a major scandal that stained her reputation but which she survived by creating her own legend.
Bergman was filled with contradictions: she was dependent upon men and chafed under their control; she loved her children but constantly left them to perform; she longed for romance but walked away from her affairs without looking back; she desired to make great films but settled for being an entertainer; she hated the scrutiny of the media but learned to charm reporters.
The author also assesses Bergman’s artistry—her star qualities and her acting skills. She did her best work in Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious, Roberto Rossellini’s Voyage in Italy, and Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata. Her life and image were the inspiration for these films in the first place.

David Smit is professor emeritus of English at Kansas State University and lives in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

David Smit
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 252
Bibliographic Info: 5 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7226-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0059-8
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi
Preface      1

PART I: THE IDEA OF A LIFE
1. Ideas About Ingrid Bergman      3
2. The Two Ingrids      15

PART II: OTHER INGRIDS
3. The Studio Creation      41
4. The Existential Heroine      59
5. The Victim of Scandal      82
6. The Legend of Stage and Screen      100
7. The Mistress of the Media      120

PART III: APPRECIATIONS
8. Actor and Star      145
9. The Actor as Auteur      175

EPILOGUE
10. The Art of Dying      211

Chapter Notes      225
Bibliography      235
Index      239

• “Offers a fascinating, informed and informative perspective on the life and times of a true Hollywood Legend a welcome contribution”—Midwest Book Review