Ingrid Bergman Gaslight 1945

Four years before Ingrid Bergman won the Oscar for “Gaslight,” she appeared on Broadway playing the title role of Eugene O’Neill’s play “Anna Christie.” Ingrid portrays an ex-hooker who encounters numerous challenges while attempting to transform her life. While her audacious performance captivated the audience, Ingrid actually had to seek permission from Actor’s Equity to play the part. The union frowns upon foreign actors playing roles an American actress could. Actor’s Equity granted permission because Ingrid was a global celebrity and a “box office” attraction. Ingrid enjoyed playing the part of Anna Christopherson so much that she would later reprise the role of Anna Christie on the radio in CBS’s Ford Theater’s production of the play in 1949.

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