Vivien was born in Darjeeling, West Bengal India, which was British India at the time. Her father, Ernest Hartley, was a successful junior partner at a brokerage firm. The family lived in comfort and Vivien was afforded every luxury in her childhood. She was headstrong from the moment she could speak and her personality had elements of both her father's wild zest for life and her mother's strict Catholic belief in order and decorum.
At the time, it was common for British subjects in India to send their children back to the homeland for a proper education. At the age of six-and-a-half she was admitted to the prestigious Convent of the Sacred Heart at Roehampton.
Vivien's classmates were fascinated by her dark-haired beauty and the exotic ways she had acquired in her Indian childhood. She was voted the most beautiful student in a school-wide poll. The second place winner was her friend Maureen O'Sullivan, who would also one day act on the screen.
Just before she reached age fourteen, Vivien's father took her out of school and brought her with him on a four year European tour. Though Gertrude originally disapproved of her daughter leaving school before graduation, she eventually agreed that seeing the world was also an effective education. Still, she saw to it that Vivien attended school whenever possible on the road, and as a result, she picked up many new languages.
When the family returned to England, Vivien became restless for something new to focus her energy on. She decided that she wanted to act, and insisted that her parents enroll her in the newly founded Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She started classes in May 1932.
Vivien was a quick study and she did well in the few small parts she was given. However, it was evident from the beginning that her her weak, high voice would need some work. When she spoke on stage, she could not be heard past the first few rows.
One day, in early 1932, Vivien stopped thinking of acting school for a moment when she saw a handsome young man ride by on a horse. She told her friend that she would marry him. When her friend protested that he was already engaged, she was not dissuaded.
 |
 |
 |
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to K Cruver's Classic Actresses topic, please visit the Discussions page.