saratoga

Saratoga Trunk
$26.99
Ingrid Bergman really shines in this offbeat romantic epic from Edna Ferber. The story is a simplification of Ferber's massive novel about the early days of the famous Saratoga Springs spa and the "railroad war" in upstate New York just after the Civil War. The title refers to the Saratoga Trunk Line, a vital and lucrative railway between the coal mines and the New England markets, which was fought over by several robber barons. If you want to know more about the railway battles and the spa, read the book Saratoga Trunk (Perennial Classics). But if you are a fan of Bergman and her co-star, Gary Cooper, sit back and enjoy the fireworks between them in their second film together (after For Whom the Bell Tolls).

Clio Dulaine and Clint Maroon--only Edna Ferber could come up with names like that for her larger-than-life protagonists. Bergman is Clio, a raven-haired(!) Creole(!) beauty whose constant companions are Dame Flora Robson (in blackface!) as her mulatto nanny and the wonderful small actor Jerry Austin as her faithful dwarf manservant. Bergman schemes and lies her way into Saratoga's high society to exact revenge against her father's family for dishonoring her late mother, and along the way she falls for Cooper, a Texas gambler with a revenge plan of his own (involving the railroad). Needless to say, sparks fly, trains crash, and Max Steiner music pounds in the background (the score is highlighted by Steiner's lovely theme song, "As Long As I Live"). Director Sam Wood manages to bring a light touch to the sprawling plot, and that's a big compliment.

This film is fascinating for several reasons. Clio is Bergman's least typical role--a ruthless, scheming, charming vixen (did I mention the raven hair?). Robson's cross-racial performance is a real triumph--she hits all the "mammy" stereotypes while maintaining the character's dignity and humanity. (Yes, they should have cast an actress of color, but Robson received the film's only Academy Award nomination for her performance.) Austin has a field day as the clever manservant--one of the best roles ever given to a small person in old Hollywood--and he, like Robson, emerges as a dignified, noble character. There are even powerful moments for both of them, when they each chastise Cooper for his disrespectful treatment of them. Edna Ferber was passionate about equality for all people (see Show Boat, Giant (Two-Disc Special Edition), and Ice Palace for more on this), and these are two of her best characters. And Gary Cooper is--well, Gary Cooper, a man among men and a superstar among actors. All in all, SARATOGA TRUNK is a lot of fun. Recommended.

Saratoga: The Ultimate Racing Experience
$19.95
Almost two hundred miles north of the hustle and bustle of New York City-nestled snuggly in the foothills of the Adirondacks-sits the town of Saratoga Springs. Ever since pioneer Gideon Putnam set up the area's first lodging, visitors have flocked to the town to sample the curative waters of its various mineral springs. But on August 3, 1863, just one month after the Battle of Gettysburg had ended, visitors started coming to Saratoga for another reason: Thoroughbred horse racing. For the past hundred-plus years, Saratoga Race Course has been the sight of Thoroughbred racing's greatest race meet. During the six weeks of the 2003 meet, the Horsephotos team scoured the town and track to capture, on film, images of what makes Saratoga so special. The result is Saratoga: The Ultimate Racing Experience, a collection of photographs that brings the town and track to life. Each photo paints a vivid portrait of Saratoga during the racing season-from the early morning workouts to the last call at Siro's, from the winners' circle after the Travers to the gardens of Yaddo, from the track's storied paddock to the mansions on Union Avenue...and everything in between.

Vientos de Guerra
$10.98

Saratoga (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
$7.99
Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer seemed to have a knack of writing clever lyrics and catchy tunes for musicals that flopped.
"Saratoga," for example has almost all the elements that should have made for a long run--beautiful costumes, star leads, a fine music writing team.
Almost all the elements--unfortunately, it lacked a book. Steven Suskin--"ill-conceived by a director/librettist without a concept."
The music is enjoyable, although much of it needs the context of a story to make sense. So, just sit back and enjoy "Petticoat High," "The Men Who Run the Country," "Goose Never Be a Peacock," and the title song. This recording is not a total wreck.