INTRODUCTION by Mary Hutchings

At last - here is a magazine or newsletter devoted to the GREATEST STAR ever to hit the silver screen or the stage. I'm afraid that Ingrid Bergman fans will have to put up with the whole chronicle being written by me, until some other contributors can be found. I don't know how well qualified I am to run this thing! I do know the script of The Inn of the Sixth Happiness off by heart and have probably seen the film more times than that lady in Wales has seen "The Sound of Music"! I have also seen most of Ingrid's other films at least half a dozen times - and I love them all unreservedly. As well as that, I have met Ingrid numerous times and was once invited backstage when she was starring in "A Month in the Country" at the Cambridge Theatre, London. I became a fan in 1959 at the tender age of 14. Am I qualified? Well, I certainly love and respect Ingrid very, very much and want to keep her name alive via the Internet. So here goes…

THE SEARCH FOR A PATRON

It would be fitting if we could find someone who knew Ingrid well to have his or her name at the top of each issue of the Chronicle. Perhaps we could find more than one. I have thought of her daughter, Pia Lindstrom and of her great friend, Joss Ackland. I shall be writing to both of these people - so keep your fingers crossed. Ideally a "fan club" (I do hate that title) should be official. We can make this publication official by having a famous name to support us - if you are reading this Ms Lindstrom or Mr Ackland, fear not, all we seek is permission to have your name in our heading.

A LIGHT-HEARTED INTERVAL

We do have a volunteer to be our mascot - my young cat Sixpence! She hears Ingrid's name so many times each day that she feels more than qualified. I have also told her the story of how she got her name - from the Chinese baby adopted by Gladys Aylward, played by Ingrid in - you've guessed it - The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.

1997 - A VINTAGE YEAR

Last year was excellent for Ingrid fans. In May we had a superb Saturday afternoon of her films on BBC 2. Joan of Arc was followed by Anastasia and then we had the first UK showing of the delightful documentary about Ingrid: "Ingrid Remembered". This was narrated by two of Ingrid's daughters - Isabella Rossellini and Pia Lindstrom - and a full review will appear in the next edition of the Chronicle.

On Ingrid's birthday, August 29th, the BBC again screened one of her films. Someone at the Beeb must be a fan, because we usually get one on that date. This year it was Arch of Triumph, an amazing film in which Ingrid (not for the first time) gets away from her saintly image and acts with a breath of fresh air, after the stereotyped heroines we saw in so many Forties movies.

September 5th saw the moment many of us had been holding our breath for - the repeat of Michael Parkinson's first interview with Ingrid. This had originally been aired in 1973, when Ingrid was in London appearing in "The Constant Wife" at the Albery Theatre. She looked absolutely gorgeous - radiant and gracious. She was wearing the most beautiful peach-coloured gown and her hair was worn in the style we have always loved - just a little shorter. Parky was clearly in love with her and somewhat in awe! He even offered to play the Humphrey Bogart part in a remake of Casablanca with Ingrid.

MYSTERY

There was definitely a second interview with Michael Parkinson. I remember it vividly - only it was before I had a VCR. I think it must have been in 1978, as General Sir John Hackett was also on the programme, talking about his new book "The Third World War", which was published in that year. I am searching madly for information leading to the wherabouts of this interview - can anyone help?

HURRAY FOR DONALD SPOTO!!

I was worried about this new biography of Ingrid, Notorious: The Life of Ingrid Bergman by Donald Spoto. The title seemed to suggest that it might contain all sorts of lurid "facts" about our idol. In fact, I think he used that title because Notorious is his favourite film - and who can blame him for that! Ingrid wrote her own memoirs, with the co-operation of Alan Burgess (My Story, published in 1980) at the suggestion of her son, Robertino, who pointed out to her that, after her death, all sorts of things could be written about her. She, therefore, set the record straight - and her own book will always remain the one to which we turn. But, I am pleased to say that Mr Spoto has written a lovingly well-researched account of Ingrid's life, containing some new material, but without a hint of sensationalism. Read my review of the book here.

OBITUARY

Griffith James, who was for many year's Ingrid's manager and close friend, died in January 1997. Thank you, Griff, for helping to care for Ingrid during her final illness.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE:

Read about Ingrid's caring involvement with charities, including The Ockenden Venture.

First in a series of extracts from poems, which seem to be relevant to Ingrid.

Review of "Ingrid Remembered"

Write to me, Mary, at mhutchings@taunton-cyber.co.uk if you would like to be associated with "The Ingrid Chronicle" or would like to make a written contribution.