Indiscreet (1958 film)

Grandon Productions

Company type	Production company
Industry	Film production
Founded	1957
Founder	Stanley Donen, Cary Grant
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Key people	Stanley Donen, Cary Grant

Indiscreet is a 1958 British romantic comedy film both produced and directed by Stanley Donen, featuring performances by Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant. The movie adapts the 1954 stage play Kind Sir authored by Norman Krasna. This project marked the second time Bergman and Grant collaborated, their first being in Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious. The film is also recognized for its influential use of split screen techniques. A television remake was produced in 1988 starring Robert Wagner and Lesley-Anne Down.

Plot

Anna Kalman, an actress based in London, returns prematurely from Mallorca due to dissatisfaction with her recent romantic involvement. Her sister Margaret and brother-in-law Alfred Munson introduce Philip Adams, an American economist considered for a NATO role in Paris, to Anna at her residence. They encourage Anna to attend Philip's upcoming dinner lecture on economics. Though hesitant initially, Anna becomes intrigued by Philip’s wit and decides to go.

Following the lecture, Anna invites Philip to accompany her to the ballet; however, he discloses that he is married but separated, unable to legally divorce. Despite this complication, they begin a romantic relationship, and Philip accepts the NATO position to remain close to Anna. When his assignment temporarily relocates him to New York for five months, Anna plans a surprise visit during his absence.

Before Philip leaves, Alfred reveals that Philip is actually single but pretends otherwise to avoid misleading women. Philip is genuinely in love with Anna and intends to postpone his departure to surprise her on her birthday.

Upon discovering Philip’s secret from Margaret—who has seen a Scotland Yard report—Anna becomes upset but devises a scheme for retaliation. She instructs her butler Carl to impersonate an old lover named David, intending to create the illusion of infidelity when Philip arrives at midnight.

On her birthday, as Philip proposes with a diamond bracelet, Carl appears disguised as David. Misunderstandings arise; Philip leaves in anger but soon returns. After clarifying the situation, Anna suggests forgiving each other's deceptions and continuing their relationship as it stands. Nonetheless, Philip insists on marriage, culminating in a joyful embrace between them.

Cast

• Cary Grant as Philip Adams
• Ingrid Bergman as Anna Kalman
• Cecil Parker as Alfred Munson
• Phyllis Calvert as Margaret Munson
• David Kossoff as Carl Banks
• Megs Jenkins as Doris Banks
• Oliver Johnston as Mr. Fingleigh
• Frank Hawkins as William, the bellboy
• Michael Anthony as Oscar
• Richard Vernon as leading man
• Eric Francis as lift operator

Production

Initially, no studio expressed interest in acquiring rights to the play Kind Sir, prompting co-producers Joshua Logan, Mary Martin, and Charles Boyer to agree when Norman Krasna offered $10,000 for them. Krasna secured Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman for the film without consulting his partners.

In March 1955, United Artists announced Krasna would direct the adaptation. Early casting speculation included Marilyn Monroe or Jayne Mansfield alongside Clark Gable.

While working with Grant on Kiss Them for Me (1957), Krasna approached Stanley Donen about directing Indiscreet. Donen agreed on condition that Grant star; Grant consented only if Bergman co-starred. Bergman agreed provided filming took place in England due to prior theatrical commitments in Paris. Krasna revised the play accordingly. Donen and Grant established Grandon Productions to produce the movie. By September 1957, Warners confirmed Bergman and Grant's participation.

The scenes set in the Players' Club were filmed at London's Garrick Club, which allowed filming but prohibited use of its name.

Logan remarked that the film adhered closely to the original play’s script, affirming Krasna’s writing aligned with his theatrical vision.

Box office

In 1958, the movie secured a position within the top ten highest-grossing British films. That year, Kinematograph Weekly classified it as financially successful at the UK box office. Across North America, distributor rentals amounted to $3.6 million.

Critical

The Monthly Film Bulletin characterized the comedy’s straightforward plot as generally captivating, commending its delightful moments and the reunion of Ingrid Bergman with Cary Grant, while pointing out a less effective conclusion. David Quinlan awarded it a "good" rating, describing it as a polished and enjoyable comedy of manners featuring stars who exude surface-level charm.

Leslie Halliwell found the film entertaining primarily due to its leading actors but expressed concerns about its thin storyline and somewhat flawed production quality. The Radio Times Guide to Films assigned it three out of five stars, emphasizing the sophisticated leads, witty supporting cast performances, and its appealing yet somewhat illogical romantic comedy aspects.

Accolades

Indiscreet earned nominations for three 1959 Golden Globes, three 1959 BAFTA awards, and one Writers Guild of America honor; however, it did not win in any category.

1988 television remake

A television adaptation was produced in 1988, with development announced in March 1987 as a project spearheaded by Robert Wagner, who proposed it to CBS out of admiration for the original film. Lesley-Anne Down joined the cast in February 1988. Although filming was initially planned for February, production was postponed until mid-April and wrapped up by May.

Reviews were mixed: the Chicago Tribune remarked that Wagner and Down lacked the charisma of the original leads, describing the remake as "flimsy" with "lighter-than-air dialogue," yet complimented Down's screen presence. The Los Angeles Times criticized the main performances as lacking depth and noted production values reminiscent of television dramas such as Dynasty and Knots Landing. The New York Times advised audiences to opt for renting the original movie instead.

External links

• Indiscreet at the British Film Institute
• Review of Broadway production at Variety
• 1988 TV film at IMDb
• 1988 TV film at the British Film Institute