Ever watch Casablanca and think Humphrey Bogart looked like a towering figure of a man? Hollywood is basically a land of smoke and mirrors. Honestly, the camera is a liar. If you’ve ever wondered how tall is Ingrid Bergman, the answer might surprise you because she wasn't the "dainty" leading lady the studios tried to market.
She was tall. Very tall for the 1940s.
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Standing at 5 feet 9 inches (about 175 cm), Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish powerhouse who physically dominated many of her male co-stars. In an era where the "ideal" woman was expected to be petite and fragile, Bergman was "hefty" and "too big," at least according to some of the early, rather rude reviews she received when she first landed in America.
The Casablanca Illusion: Boxes, Ramps, and Lifts
We have to talk about Casablanca. It's the ultimate example of how Hollywood hides the truth. Humphrey Bogart, the ultimate tough guy, was actually around 5'8". Do the math: Ingrid was an inch taller than him, and that’s before she put on even a modest heel.
To keep the "manly" hero image intact, director Michael Curtiz had to get creative. Bogart often stood on wooden blocks—affectionately known as "Bogie boxes"—during their close-ups.
- Bogart wore 3-inch lifts on his shoes.
- In some scenes, he sat on cushions to gain a few inches.
- Bergman often had to slouch or stand in lower spots to minimize the gap.
It’s kinda funny when you think about it. One of the most romantic scenes in cinema history involved a guy standing on a crate just so he didn't have to look up at his leading lady. But that was the 1940s for you.
Why Her Height Almost Cost Her the Role in Notorious
Alfred Hitchcock loved her, but even he had to deal with the logistics of how tall is Ingrid Bergman when casting her opposite Claude Rains in Notorious. Rains was 5'7". That’s a two-inch deficit right out of the gate.
Hitchcock actually used a ramp in certain shots. As Rains walked toward the camera to meet Bergman, he’d be walking slightly uphill. By the time they were in the same frame, they looked "appropriate" together. Hitchcock later joked that he loved the idea of a "small man in love with a taller woman," but the studio still insisted on making Rains look taller.
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The Cary Grant Exception
Cary Grant was one of the few leading men who didn't need a step-stool to kiss her. Grant was 6'2", making him one of the few actors who actually made Bergman look "normal" sized by the standards of the time. You’ve probably noticed they had incredible chemistry in Notorious and Indiscreet. Part of that might just be the physical comfort of two people who didn't have to worry about tripping over a "Bogie box" mid-sentence.
A Legacy of Natural Beauty
Bergman wasn't just tall; she was "natural." When she first arrived in Hollywood, producer David O. Selznick wanted to change her name, fix her eyebrows, and cap her teeth. She basically told him "no."
She refused to wear heavy makeup and embraced her height. This "Scandinavian imperiousness," as some called it, became her trademark. She wasn't a porcelain doll; she was a real woman. Even when critics called her "big" or "too Swedish," she leaned into it.
Quick Facts: The Numbers
- Exact Height: 5'9" (175 cm).
- Comparison: 1 inch taller than Humphrey Bogart.
- Comparison: 5 inches shorter than Cary Grant.
- Shoe Choice: She often wore flats or very low heels on set to accommodate shorter actors.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Filmmakers
If you're a fan of classic cinema or even a budding filmmaker, there's a lot to learn from Bergman's career regarding physical presence:
- Don't obsess over the tape measure: Chemistry matters more than height. The "short" Bogart and "tall" Bergman created the most iconic romance in film history despite the height disparity.
- Perspective is everything: Use low angles if you want someone to look taller, or have them stand slightly closer to the lens.
- Embrace your "flaws": Bergman’s height was seen as a hurdle early on, but it eventually gave her a stature and gravitas that set her apart from every other actress in Hollywood.
Next time you watch a 1940s classic, keep an eye on the floor. You might just spot the edge of a wooden box or a strategically placed rug designed to hide the fact that the "little lady" was actually the tallest person in the room.
If you want to see this in action, go back and re-watch the final scene of Casablanca at the airport. Pay close attention to how they are framed—the movie magic is everywhere.