  Optical absorption and transverse Kerr effect spectra, resistivity and
magnetoresistance of La$_{1-x}$Sr$_{x}$CoO$_3$ ($x=0.15, 0.25, 0.35$) films
have been studied. The temperature dependencies of the optical and
magneto-optical properties of the films exhibit features, which can be
attributed to the transition of the Co$^{3+}$ ions from the low-spin state
(S=0) to the intermediate-spin state (S=1) and to orbital ordering of the
Co$^{3+}$ ions in the latter state. The evolution of the properties influenced
by doping with Sr is interpreted on the basis of the phase separation model.
