Merle was in a serious car accident early in 1937. She suffered a concussion and was hospitalized for weeks. Though there were other factors that contributed to the shut down, Merle's accident was the primary reason that I, Claudius was eventually discarded entirely.
While Merle was in the hospital, her mother fell ill and died. She had been suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. In addition, the angry letters she had been receiving from her first-born daughter Constance caused her considerable stress.
Once she was out of the hospital, Merle resumed her career with a series of minor comedies. The most memorable was The Divorce of Lady X(1938); it was the first time she starred opposite Laurence Olivier. Her next movie with Olivier would be the most successful of her career.
Coming up in part two: Wuthering Heights, jetsetting, and motherhood
Thank you to www.silverscreensirens.com for permission to use the lovely picture of Merle.
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