Vivien Leigh: A Southern English Rose

colleagues that Vivien would be perfect to play the part of Scarlett in the new production of Gone With the Wind(1939). Producer David Selznick had spent years testing every actress from the unknown to the biggest stars for the plum role of Scarlett O'Hara. He was seriously considering Norma Shearer, Paulette Goddard and Joan Bennett. He had heard very little about Vivien Leigh, but she would soon take care of that.

Vivien had been obsessed with Margaret Mitchell's novel. She read it constantly and even gave the book as gifts to the cast of one of her movies. With her usual resolve, Vivien said that she would play Scarlett. No one could believe that an actress with a fledgling career in the British film industry had a chance at the part. Though Vivien had often predicted that she would get her way before, this role was just too big. But then, no challenge had ever gotten the best of Vivien Leigh before, and she wasn't about to let this one daunt her.

Coming up in part two: Legendary roles, legendary romance, illness and madness

*From "Vivien: The Life of Vivien Leigh", by Alexander Walker

Vivien Leigh Links

Thanks to www.silverscreensirens.com for permission to use the pictures of Vivien Leigh.

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