Indiscreet (1958)

Indiscreet is a 1958 British romantic comedy directed and produced by Stanley Donen, starring Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant. Released on June 26, 1958, the film is based on the 1953 play Kind Sir by Norman Krasna, who also wrote the screenplay. Set in London, it’s a stylish and witty exploration of love, deception, and second chances, notable for its elegant direction and the magnetic chemistry between its leads.

Plot Summary

Anna Kalman (Ingrid Bergman) is a successful stage actress who has given up on love—until she meets Philip Adams (Cary Grant), a suave American diplomat. Their whirlwind romance is complicated by Philip’s claim that he’s married but separated, making divorce impossible. Anna accepts the affair on those terms, but when she discovers that Philip is actually single and has lied to avoid commitment, she plots a clever revenge.

The film plays with themes of honesty, independence, and romantic gamesmanship, all wrapped in sophisticated dialogue and glamorous settings.

Cast

• Ingrid Bergman as Anna Kalman
• Cary Grant as Philip Adams
• Cecil Parker as Alfred Munson
• Phyllis Calvert as Margaret Munson
• David Kossoff, Meg Jenkins, and Martin Stephens in supporting roles

Production Notes and Trivia

• The film was one of the first to use split-screen techniques artistically, allowing Bergman and Grant to appear in bed together without violating censorship rules
• This was the second collaboration between Bergman and Grant, following Notorious (1946)
• Shot in Technicolor and set in London, the film features lavish interiors and fashion-forward costumes that enhance its cosmopolitan tone
• Music by Richard Rodney Bennett adds a light, romantic touch to the film’s atmosphere
• The film was nominated for three BAFTA Awards, including Best British Actress for Bergman and Best British Actor for Grant
• It was remade for television in 1988, starring Robert Wagner and Lesley-Anne Down