scarlett and beyond

this film is one of two from 1939 that created icons of their leading ladies. the other is 'the wizard of oz'. these two women embodied surviving adversity in the characters of scarlett and dorothy and that's no mean feat!

leigh won her second oscar for her refined, yet feral performance as blanche. it seems that no matter who plays blanche, a little vivien leigh goes with them.

leigh was gracious and beautiful as the worldly emma, lady hamilton. and olivier, in spite of his weird makeup choices, is still sexy and handsome as nelson, emma's romantic consort and british naval hero.

leigh is her usual brilliant self as a jaded american actress that is drifting toward a violent end in rome. it's warren beatty that bogs her down. if it weren't for lotte lenya, she'd have no one of interest to interact with in this film

see my romance list.

leigh's screen swan song as the bitter southern socialite mary treadwell is not to be taken lightly against blanche and scarlett. it's a beautiful end to a great screen career.

leigh's anna has gotten some hard knocks because of garbo's double success with the role. her anna is different and this film is a sumptuous setting for it.

shaw wasn't crazy about leigh's cleopatra. but she does the role well with her playful take.

leigh wears some nice costumes and conveys a shadowy mystery in her performance as a couturier than doubles in espionage.

this documentary is not bad but the film clips are not the greatest shape.

leigh in a musical with a cockney accent? you have to see it to believe it!
rex harrison is warming up for his great henry higgins as leigh's lover/producer.