MovieChat Forums > Cactus Flower (1969) Discussion > Stage vs Screen/Berman vs Bacall

Stage vs Screen/Berman vs Bacall

posted 16 years ago by rebjam-1
4 replies | jump to latest

This film was based on a Broadway play of the same name. Lauren Bacall played Stephanie on stage and didn't get the part in the film because they said she was too old (at 45). Bergman was cast, she was 54. You can read about in Bacall's autobiography entitled "By Myself".

Brenda Vaccaro played Toni (and was nominated for a Tony)

p.s. i love Bergman in the role by the way and its why i wanted the DVD--she sorta reminds me of Dr. Hoffman on Dark Shadows from the same era (same suit and haircut too)! :)

[–] MovieMania7 16 years ago

Because Bergman was a better film actress. She had more warmth and charm than Bacall ever did, and think, would this movie be the same if they put Bacall and her pretentiousness in the part?

"Ahhh!...and boom goes the dynamite."

[–] Kareneeni 15 years ago

I have to agree with you. I'm a fan of both Bergman and Bacall, but a much greater fan of Bergman due to her naturalness and warmth. Bacall is also very beautiful and often fun to watch in movies but not nearly as talented as Bergman - there is a certain distance about her, which works for some roles, but Stephanie needs to warm up eventually in this role and Bergman did so very beautifully. The scene where she dances with Hawn and the Igor character - I can't imagine Bacall being nearly as delightful here.

[–] Harold_Robbins 14 years ago

During the long breaks while filming Poirot's 'summing-up' in MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, I wonder what Bergman and Bacall chatted about . . .

"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."

[–] lolarites 13 years ago

I was thinking about that when I was watching the film. I couldn't imagine Bacall doing as well a job as Bergman did. One sad fact, Bacall didn't age as well as Bergman and even though she was nine years younger. Bacall at 45 looked older than Bergman at 54. I'll bet that chapped her hide.