Elizabeth's Olivia de Havilland Page

Olivia Mary de Havilland was born on July 1, 1916, in Tokyo, Japan. Her English parents divorced when Olivia was just three, and she was moved to California. While she was in college in Oakland, Olivia was involved in the school production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and was spotted by a Hollywood talent scout. He put her in the Warner Bros.' version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1935. The film starred such talents as James Cagney, Mickey Rooney, and Joe E. Brown. Olivia skipped along the next four years, starring in light-hearted comedies such as "The Irish in Us" and "It's Love I'm After" (which starred Leslie Howard and Bette Davis, both of whom Olivia would co-star with at later dates). She also starred in some movies opposite Errol Flynn, such as "Captain Blood", and "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex", also starring Bette Davis, Leo G. Carroll, Vincent Price, and Donald Crisp. So not only was Olivia's career beginning to take off, she was the envy of many women, by starring with Flynn!!~ But in 1939, Olivia received the part of a lifetime, and one that she's probably most well-known for:

Olivia (far right) and cast in "Gone With the Wind".

In 1939, Olivia begged the Warner Brothers bigwigs to let her do "Gone With the Wind". They finally agreed, and Olivia was thrilled. She played Melanie Hamilton, the "mealy-mouthed ninny", as Scarlett called her. But Melanie proves to be strong, even stronger than Scarlett's "stupid Ashley" (Rhett's words this time!) The cast included Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Hattie Mc Daniel, Butterfly Mc Queen, and Clark Gable. Olivia and Gable became friends during the production. In fact, it was Olivia who convinced Gable to stay in "GWTW". He wanted to quit, because he had to cry over Bonnie's death. But he listened to Olivia and stuck it out. "GWTW" was a rousing success, and Olivia was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, but she lost to her co-star, Hattie Mc Daniel.

After "GWTW", Olivia once again starred in a series of movies co-starring Errol Flynn. One such movie was the classic western of 1940, "Santa Fe Trail", also starring Ronald Reagan. She also starred with Flynn in 1941's "They Died with Their Boots On". Olivia played Elizabeth Bacon in this story of the life of General George Armstrong Custer. That same year, Olivia starred with James Cagney and Rita Hayworth in the romantic comedy "The Strawberry Blonde". She played Amy Lind, the best friend of Virginia Brush (Rita), the girl Biff Grimes (Cagney) is infatuated with. But Virginia goes for Biff's friend. As Biff tries to get closer to Virginia, he winds up getting closer to Amy, and sparks fly!

Links to other sites on the Web

Go on to Page 2!!!!!
Reelclassics.com
Elizabeth's Bette Davis Page
Elizabeth's Vincent Price Page
Elizabeth's Leo G. Carroll Page
Elizabeth's Vivien Leigh Page

I'd like thank Elizabeth at Reelclassics.com for the "GWTW" picture. I encourage you to visit her incredible site. Just click on the first link provided to take you there!!~

Please take a moment to read my author's note. Thank you!

people have visited this site since July 1999

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