The Divorce of Lady X (1938).

 

The Divorce of Lady X (1938). A British romantic comedy film directed by Tim Whelan. The music score was by Miklós Rózsa and Lionel Salter and the cinematography by Harry Stradling. Cast: Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson and Binnie Barnes. The film was a remake of the 1933 film, Counsel's Opinion, also made by London Films and in which Binnie Barnes performed in the role played by Merle Oberon.

Because of the thick fog, London barrister Everard Logan, decides to spend the night in the  Royal Park hotel. Before he knows it .. Leslie Steele, another one of the  guests, tricks him into  giving her both the bedroom and his pajamas. By the next morning, Logan, has fallen in love with Leslie even though he  mistakenly thinks that she is a married woman.

At home,  Leslie, tells her  grandfather judge Lord Steele that she wants to marry Logan, even though he thinks she is an  unfaithful wife.

Later, Logan is visited by Lord  Mere, who tells him that his wife spent the night at the Royal  Park hotel with another man, and wants Logan to begin divorce  proceedings. Logan believes  that Leslie is Lady Mere, and tries to convince Lord Mere not to start divorce proceedings, while trying to hide the fact he thinks he is the "other man" and that's when the fun begins.




Lawrence Olivier and Merle Oberon did two movies together: WUTHERING HEIGHTS and THE DIVORCE OF LADY X.

Video: The Divorce of Lady X (1938). In full.

Binnie Barnes (25 May 1903 – 27 July 1998), She began her acting career in films in 1923, performing in a short film made by Lee De Forest in his Phonofilm sound-on-film process. Her film career continued in Britain, then in Hollywood, until 1973, with her final role in the comedy, 40 Carats. She is best known for her performance, The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), starring Charles Laughton in the title role, with Barnes as Katherine Howard.

Great On Screen Couples: Vivian Leigh and Laurence Olivier.

Laurence Olivier first met Vivien Leigh after her performance in, The Mask of Virtue(1936)and they quickly became friends. They made only three films together, but Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier worked together many times if you include their stage performances.

The first film that Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, performed together in was, Fire Over England (1937). A London Film Productions film drama, directed by William K. Howard and written by Clemence Dane from the novel Fire Over England by A. E. W. Mason. Leigh's performance in the movie helped to convince David O. Selznick to cast her as Scarlett O'Hara, in the film, Gone With the Wind. While playing lovers in the film, Olivier and Leigh fell in love in real life and began an affair. They wanted to marry, but both Leigh's husband and Olivier's wife at the time, did not want to give them a divorce. When they finally were divorced, they were married on 31 August 1940 with Katharine Hepburn and Garson Kanin as witnesses. They stayed together for over 20 years.




Another film they performed in together was, 21 Days, also known as 21 Days Together (1940). A British drama film based on the short play. It was directed by Basil Dean. It is a story about a man, who kills his lover's husband in self-defence and hides the body rather than turn himself in to the police. Then another man is arrested for murder. Now, will he turn himself in?

They're at their best as Horatio Nelson and his mistress Emma Hamilton in the film, That Hamilton Woman(1941), a historical film drama, about a scandal that was similar their own relationship. Which takes place during the Napoleonic wars, produced and directed by Alexander Korda for Alexander Korda Films.

The story begins with no where to turn, alcoholic Lady Hamilton, now in prison shares her past life with her cell mates, in a flashback: Emma, looks into a mirror and remembers, her life as the mistress of Charles Francis Greville. Greville gives Emma to Sir William, in payment for his debts. Emma, over time comes to like Sir William, who marries her. When Horatio Nelson arrives in Naples, Emma is impressed by how he is against Napoleon and his beliefs. She leaves Sir William, to live with Nelson, their life together is threatened, when Nelson decides to leave to fight in the, Battle of Trafalgar. After his death, her life falls apart.



Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were newlyweds at the time of filming and were considered the "dream couple".

Pride And Prejudice (1940)

Hello  readers, today I have decided to post about the 1940 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austin. I assume you all know the plot, but just in case, here is the plot summary of the film (and novel). Sorry, I was about to do a valentinesy post yesterday, but I started watching Sabrina with my folks and got distracted ;S.

So, Laurence Olivier plays Mr. Darcy and Greer Garson plays Elizabeth Bennett. Even before watching the film, the cast list is fantasmagorical. Every time I watch it I always wait until Mrs. Bennett goes "MR. BENNETT!!!! MR. BENNETT!!!" And try to do it at exactly the same time. I took this over to a friends house to watch at a sleepover and the next day while we were walking into the village for play rehearsals she was screeching "MR. BENNETT!!! MR. BENNETT!!!" Everyone thought we were mad, but it was awesome.

The set and costume design is just great. All of Lizzy Bennett's dresses are just beautiful. The set looks very realistic and ornate, I just love it all. I remember that my Mum got us this film and Wuthering Hieghts starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. This takes me back to the days when I used to confuse Merle Oberon and Greer Garson with each other, just because we ordered their films together. What's even worse is that this was only about two years ago...

One of my favourite scenes has to be the the scene with the bow and arrow. Mr. Darcy is patronizingly showing Elizabeth how to use a bow and arrow and then suddenly she takes the bow and arrow and shoots a bulls-eye. What I don't get though, is that Mr. Darcy's lady friend (not girlfriend, but friend who is a lady) is always saying about Elizabeth, "Oh, she has no class. She is not acomplished." I'm like... SHE IS GREER GARSON FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! WHO THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!!!

So yes. That woman annoys me. I really do love Laurence Olivier, he can play almost anything. He is superb as Maxim De Winter in Rebecca (also 1940). His Mr. Darcy is to be sure, the most sophisticated and intelligent Darcy that have ever graced the screen (sorry Colin, but you aren't up to Laurence's standards).

I think that the portrayals in this adaptation of the Austen classic have set the standards for any other new adaptations. No matter how much I may love the other actresses who have played Elizabeth Bennett, Greer will always be Elizabteth for me.

Robert Z. Leonard does a good job directing, but I have to say that the direction is upstaged by the performances, unlike films like A Letter To Three Wives, directed by Joseph L. Menciewicz, which could be argued as a complete showcase for the insanely talented director. Every single actor does a good job, including maureen O'Sullivan, Mia Farrow's mother.

I can not tell you how enjoyable this film is. Its just so uplifting to watch. My copy is one of those weird Korean all region imports and the first scene or two are out of sinc, but I still love the scenes in the dressmakers at the beginning. Watch this film on a happy feeling night to feel even better, or on a depressing night to be made feel happy like never before :-)

Just wanted to say that I now have 50 followers!!! Yay! I am now doing a happy dance by my computer, and won't stop till I have to sleep.

~Bette

Clash of the Titans (1981)

Clash of the Titans (1981). Fantasy/adventure. Based on the myth of Perseus. A novelization of the film by Alan Dean Foster was published in 1981. Cast: Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, Burgess Meredith and Ursula Andress. Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are set to release a remake of the film in 3-D on April 2, 2010.


King Acrisius of Argos locks his daughter Danaë in prison to keep her from having a son. While she is imprisoned, the god Zeus impregnates her. After the King learns about the pregnancy, Acrisius casts his daughter and her son Perseus out to sea in a wooden coffin. Angry, Zeus orders Poseidon, to release the Kraken to destroy Argos. Meanwhile, Danaë and her son safely make it to the island of Seriphos. Calibos, son of the sea goddess Thetis, is to marry Princess Andromeda, the daughter of Queen Cassiopeia . But Calibos has killed entire herd of flying horses (except for Pegasus). As punishment Zeus changes Calibos into a monster who now lives in the swamps. Thetis, heartbroken, promises that if Calibos cannot marry Andromeda, no other man will either. Thetis then transports Perseus from Seriphos to Joppa.

Perseus, becomes friends with Ammon , where he learns of Andromeda and her curse( she cannot marry unless her suitor answers a riddle, and any suitor who does not answer the riddle correctly is burned at the stake). Carrying gifts from the gods a sword, shield, and a helmet, Perseus captures Pegasus and follows Andromeda's on her journey to learn a new riddle from Calibos. Knowing the answer, Perseus is attacked by Calibos, but escapes. Perseus ready for the next ceremony answers the riddle correctly winning Andromeda's hand in marriage. At the temple Calibos prays to his mother Thetis to take vengeance on Perseus. Thetis tells Calibos that she cannot because Perseus is protected by Zeus, but she will take vengeance on Joppa. At the wedding, Queen Cassiopeia compares Andromeda's beauty to that of Thetis, which angers the goddess. The statue of Thetis begins to grumble and the head comes to life, demanding Andromeda as a virgin sacrifice to the Kraken in thirty days, or else Joppa will be destroyed.

Perseus begins his journey to battle both Medusa and the Kraken monster to save the Princess Andromeda.

Clash of the Titans, has been one of my favorite movies since my son and I watched it with a bowl of popcorn when he was a little boy... I really enjoy mythology and epic adventures. The special effects were in my opinion very well done..
Clash of the Titans Movie Trailer.
FUN FACTS:

The original script wanted Perseus to cut off Medusa's head by throwing his shield at her. Harry Hamlin convinced the producers to let him use his sword, because that was how it happened according to Greek Mythology.


The Kraken was not the name of a titan in Greek mythology, but a sea monster from Scandinavian mythology.


Neil McCarthy only played Calibos in head shots and half-body shots. All full body shots of Calibos were played by a stop-motion model.


Screenwriter Beverley Cross was a student of mythology and he developed a storyline centering on Perseus and Andromeda which linked together a number of myths. He took the idea to producers Charles H. Schneer and Ray Harryhausen. The story was modified to add more creatures. Cross's wife, actress Maggie Smith, appeared in the film as Thetis.


According to mythology after Medusa's head was severed from her neck, two offspring sprang forth: the winged horse Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor.


According to mythology there was Cerberus, the THREE-headed dog but no Dioskilos with two. They asked Ray Harryhausen why he didn't use a three-headed dog, and he said it takes too much time to animate the extra head.

Ray Harryhausen, producer and a special effects creator most famous for his brand of stop-motion model animation.
Ray Harryhausen Official Websight