I had an email from one of my second cousins the other day pointing out how much my mom resembled Ingrid Bergman in the 1950's, when both were young. I have always noticed the comparison but I didn't think anyone else really saw it. Apparently they do.
The obvious difference is that Ingrid was 5'9, and my mom's height is 5'4.
I bet when Ingrid was in Casablanca they had to put Humphrey Bogart on a box for their closeup love scenes because he was only about 5'8.
Of course, there was a big age difference. In late 1933 when Mom was born, Ingrid was already a student at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, since she was born in 1915.
Anyway, just for fun, I went back and found some photos of Mom from the 50's, and some photos of Ingrid Bergman, although hers are likely a bit earlier than that.
The resemblance isn't so obvious here, tho' they were about the same age here.
below, Mom with Dad when they were engaged -- not sure when this photo of Bergman was made
Ingrid Bergman was a terrific actress and I have enjoyed all her movies that I've ever watched. I particularly love Casablanca, and one of my favorite memories is of seeing it when I was a teenager, at the historic and fabulous Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville. (I learned all the words so I could sing "As Time Goes By," because I loved that movie so much.)
Mom was never an international movie star, but she was a well-known singer around Atlanta in her youth, at weddings and at church, and for the USO. She also had several marriage proposals before my dad came along. Unlike Ingrid, Mom married a handsome guy and stayed married to him for 40 years. More importantly, Mom is still going strong at the age of 82 and Ingrid died of cancer at the age of 67, which was such a shame; thankfully Ingrid still lives on in her children and grandchildren and of course we can all still enjoy her many movies.
below, Mom and Dad in Venice, about 1989
One of Mom's favorite movies is a classic from 1969 called Cactus Flower, starring Ingrid Bergman, Walter Matthau, and a very young Goldie Hawn. If you've never seen it, watch it. Classic, and Bergman is awesome, as always.
