donna

The beautiful Vivien filled the role of Scarlett Ohara after many movie stars had auditioned for the part , did she get it for her looks or acting abilitiy or because of her connections. what do you think.

Dave Rattigan

I'm sure it could have been her looks that got her the initial job, but it was an excellent performance, in my opinion.

penfold

What connections?? Olivier was huge here, but next to nothing in the States at the time she was cast...he was Mr Leigh over there for a while.
It was her looks and her acting ability; that was why it took so long to fill the role; you needed model looks coupled with Hepburn/Bette Davis talent....I can't think of anyone else who could have done it at the time...

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

donna

yes understand that penfold but he must have had connections over there to open the doors, she was wonderful in the part though, cant think of anyone else who could have did the part so well.

batman

'Connections' didn't matter a hoot to Selznick when he was castng the role .... Davis, Crawford, Hopkins, Hepburn and Goddard were all turned down despite being desperate for the part and having great 'connections'. Viv was seen in one of her UK films by one of Selnick's people and offered forward as a possible Scarlett. She had to go through numerous interviews and screen tests before getting the role. As penfold says, it was her looks that got her noticed, but her talent that won her the part.

donna

yes I agree with all youve said, so why then did she fail miserbly for Rebecca it says her screen test for the film was awful.

donna

it seems on the set of Rebecca , Olivier had his own British clique who ignored Miss Fontaine even to the point of not attending a birthday party thrown for her, all because his wife Viviene didnt get the part in Rebecca.

batman

Just 'cos she was OK as Scarlett doesn't mean she was suitable for The Girl. Actors often fail auditions and screentests (I should know ) .... check out Sam Neill's one for 007 .... he was great as Sidney Reilly, awful as Bond.

DB7

Didn't she also hop into bed with Korda early in her career? Or is that just a myth?

donna

Ill phone him and ask, but didnt most of them except Bette Davis, by all accounts a lot of starlets did.

CaptainWaggett

Korda signed her on the basis of a stageplay (the day after the reviews came out) and her first role for him was in Fire OVer England where she met Larry. If she did have a fling with Korda it couldn't have lasted very long though it's possible.

donna

sometimes the craving for stardom takes over some peoples lives.

batman

And men .... Gable, Harvey, Dean to name but three.

donna

oh dear, its a funny old world isnt it , so glad I just was a nursery nurse hahah

CaptainWaggett

I'd have no objection to a job where I could offer work to young actors in exchange for, er, certain favours...