The Heiress (1949)

{Alternatively titled: Why is Everyone Called Cathy?}

Seriously guys, it's like you can't get away from it! Cathy Seldon in Singin' In The Rain, Cathy Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights and Cathy Sloper in this movie among many others. They always seem to be having their names screeched at them, like in Singing In The Rain he shouts 'Cathy, wait, CATHY!" and in Wuthering Heights Heathcliff is completely hysterical and starts calling out, "Cathy, come back to me! CATHY! My own! My heart's darling!"... Errrr... Yes. But it is Larry Olivier so we shall and must forgive him.

This woman in the poster looks like Elizabeth Taylor for sure.

I digress. I watched The Heiress in honour of Olivia De Havilland (actually I ordered it before I knew it was her birthday the other day but it seemed like a great reason to finally watch it) and I did like it. I did. Most of it...

• Olivia de Havilland – Catherine Sloper
• Montgomery Clift – Morris Townsend
• Ralph Richardson – Dr. Austin Sloper
• Miriam Hopkins – Aunt Lavinia

The plot is basically that Catherine Sloper is the daughter of wealthy New York doctor Austin Sloper who is still fighting to cope with the loss of his beautiful and seemingly perfect wife.

He is constantly comparing Cathy to her mother whom he idealises and sets as his standard for judging anyone. Cathy is shy, but very accurate with her embroidery and very sweet-natured. Her father, Austin believes that almost no man would want her for her qualities - just her money. When she is introduced to a charming young man, Morris Townsend, by her chaperoning (recently widowed, although you'd never guess) aunt Lavina, she falls in love with him and he with her and he soon (within a few) days proposes and Austin, naturally, begins to question his motives.

He decides that he strongly disapproves of Morris and takes Cathy away on a long trip to Europe to try and make her forget about him.

She doesn't and returns just as eager to marry him. After a nasty fight with her father during which he told her frankly that she had no special or unique characteristics other than her large inheritance, Cathy storms out and finds Morris waiting to elope with her.

She tells him that she has effectively disinherited herself and she wants nothing more to do with her father. They agree for Morris to come back to the house at later that night, but she waits and waits and he never comes. Later that year, her father becomes gravely ill with an illness he will never recover from (by his own diagnosis) leaving only the maid and Cathy to look after him, and Cathy still refuses to be on friendly terms with him...

It was a good film and it was directed by William Wyler who I think is up there with directors like Hitchcock and Billy Wilder. The three best things in it for me were the direction, Miriam Hopkins and the costume design by Edith Head. Miriam Hopkins was amazing. I had only seen her in The Old Maid before and I thought that she was amazing and held the film together, completely. From what I understand, she was not a most agreeable lady, but there are countless greats who weren't, and what doesn't show up on the screen shouldn't really affect our opinion of the actor that much anyhow.

Olivia De Havilland was great too. The only thing about her performance that I wasn't so crazy about was the high voice she put on to sound younger. I didn't think she needed it to make her seem young, and it might have been a little more sincere without, but it certainly didn't take away from her great delivery and Olivia De Havilland-ish-ness.

I'am not a great one for mannered actors. I can adore James Dean in some things and not like him so much in others, in fact I even named my camera after him (it's a Canon Rebel, get it? Rebel Without a Cause? Canon Rebel?) and yes. I name inanimate objects. Is that a crime? Sheesh. I was ok with Montgomery Clift. He was very beautiful and good for the part and he was fine - I just felt like he lacked something a little.

Costumes and makeup: I. Want. Everyone. In. This. Movie's. Hair. And. Outfits. That. Is. All.

I would reccomend it although the story is a little bit of a downer (Where are my fill in posts of Pillow Talk and The Paleface clips when I desperately need them?). It makes for an interesting watch for sure :D

Also, I thought you all deserved an explanation for the sporadic posting. I just landed myself the a couple of roles in the school production of Bugsy Malone. I think I might be a-suffering from personality confusion. As of yet, my list of roles is:

1.  Lena - The show off star of the show that the female lead, Blousey is auditioning for, as Lena leaves and comes back on a daily basis.
2. A singer in the speakeasy
3. A soloist in a reprise of a song
4. One of the many narrators
5. and, my favourite of course, a tree.

The coolest for sure is Lena though here is the main bit of her part in the movie

I also so get to come in screeching "OSCAR!!! OSCAR!!!" and some other cool lines. Ah well, it ain't Ilsa Lund but it'l do for now :-) I did audition for the lead but it went to older kids for both nights. That's show biz! So yes. I'm quite occupied with rehearsals and the like so I'll try and post when I can!

~Bette
P.S. I ran Race For Life on Sunday with my friend which is a 5km race in support of cancer research and I just wanted to say that I hope everyone out there reading this who has been affected by cancer in any way can be helped by the money that we are all raising. I also especially wanted to shout out to my grandpa and amazing flute and piano teacher who have been suffering with cancer lately. Get better soon!

Happy Birthday: Olivia de Havilland !

Olivia de Havilland was born in Tokyo, Japan, to English parents. Her mother, Lilian Augusta Ruse, also a actress known as Lillian Fontaine, and her father, Walter Augustus de Havilland, was a patent attorney with a practice in Japan. Her parents married in 1914 and divorced in 1925. She was raised as a Roman Catholic Her younger sister is the actress Joan Fontaine (born 1917).

Fun Facts:

Ms. de Havilland lives a peaceful retirement at her home on Rue Benouville, in Paris. She spends time teaching Sunday School to children at a local church.

Is the 15th cousin twice removed of Errol Flynn, her co-star in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).

She and Joan Fontaine are the first sisters to win Oscars and the first ones to be Oscar-nominated in the same year.

Please Click here to learn more Olivia de Havilland.

Four's a Crowd (1938)

Four's a Crowd (1938), is a romantic comedy directed by Michael Curtiz and released by Warner Brothers. Cast: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell, Patric Knowles, Walter Connolly, Hugh Herbert, Melville Cooper, Franklin Pangborn, Herman Bing, Margaret Hamilton, Joseph Crehan, Joe Cunningham, Gloria Blondell, Carole Landis and Lana Turner. The fourth of nine movies made by Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn.

The story begins when the newspaper might be shut down when owner, Pat Buckley, gets into a argument with the Editor-in-chief, Robert Lansford . Meanwhile, Lansford hopes to add John Dillingwell's business to his PR firm, and uses his position at Buckley's paper to write a good review for Dillingwell. He soon finds out that Dillingwell's daughter Lorri, is Buckley's fiancee. Lansford decides to try to charm Lorri while Christy makes a play for Buckley. In the end, you don't know who Lansford will end up with?

Video: first of 11.



Errol Flynn , gives a wonderful comic performance. One of my favorite scenes where he is chased by dogs snapping at his heels chasing him off his girlfriends property. Olivia de Havilland, looks gorgeous as the daughter of millionaire Connolly. A fluffy romance, but... worth watching if you enjoy watching these stars.

Margaret Hamilton (December 9, 1902 – May 16, 1985) was known for her performance as the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. A former schoolteacher, she worked as a character actor in films for seven years before she was offered the role that we all love her for.

In later years, Hamilton made many cameos on television sitcoms and commercials. She also was an advocate for children and animals, and was commitment to public education.

Great On Screen Couples: Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland

This legendary couple appeared in 8 films together from 1935 to 1941, all for Warner Bros. They made a varied mix of swashbucklers, westerns, comedy, and period films. Their first pairing came in the rousing Captain Blood (1935), which was Flynn's first starring role, making him an overnight sensation. Olivia had already appeared in three films prior to Captain Blood. I've seen this film twice and it's a beaut. Terrific action sequences and the undeniable chemistry of Flynn and de Havilland on full display. Olivia beat out Jean Arthur and Bette Davis for the role of Arabella Bishop and the rest is history. Blood was so successful Warner Bros quickly paired the duo up the next year for The Charge Of The Light Brigade.

Set in 1854 India, the film had Flynn cast as a British officer fighting the Russians in The Crimean War. Olivia plays Flynn's fiancee. I have yet to see this film so I can't critique on it. But it sounds interesting. For their next film together would be their masterpiece, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). Everyone knows the legend of Hood and Flynn was positively electric as the dashing archer. Olivia was equally as good as Maid Marian. Everything came together for this entertaining film. To this day, I still say this is the most vibrant and gorgeous looking film ever made. And one of the best music scores in history.

Screwball comedy was in it's heyday during this time and Warner Bros decided to pair up Errol and Olivia for one called Four's A Crowd (1938). This is another of the duo's films that I have yet to see and since screwball comedy is my favorite genre, I am hankering to see it.

I did see their next film though, the terrific western Dodge City (1939). And let me tell ya something, Errol looks just as comfortable firing six shooters like he does shooting a bow and arrow or swordplay. Dodge City is one of the best westerns ever made and solidified Flynn and de Havilland as one of the premiere on screen couples in film.

They switched gears for their next film, with the historial drama The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. And while this is not solely a Flynn and De Havilland production because of Bette Davis top billed role, this film showed that Errol and Olivia could make just about any type of film.

When Santa Fe Trail (1940) debuted, it marked the pair's seventh outing and it was another huge success. While it was a very entertaining western, I liked Dodge City more. Santa Fe did have an outstanding supporting cast of newcomers such as Ronald Reagan and Van Heflin.

  And lastly, for their final film together, came 1941's They Died With Their Boots On, an film based on General George Custer and his infamous last stand. Another western and another solid hit. At this point, Olivia's star was rising and she wanted more starring roles, so the pair parted ways after a successful 8 film run. They firmly established themselves as the ideal romantic leads of Hollywood period adventures. No doubt. And while Olivia went on to have a successful career post Flynn, he was not as fortunate. Still but before his career ended, he did turn in two top notch performances in The Sun Also Rises (1957) and Too Much, Too Soon (1958). But we will always have those 8 wonderful films he and Olivia did. Nothing can ever change that.

Olivia De Havilland

Olivia De Havilland and Errol Flynn were known as one of Hollywood's most talented on-screen couples, performing in eight films together, but, were never romantically involved. The films in which they co-starred: Captain Blood (1935), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), The Adventures of Robin Hood and Four's a Crowd (1938), Dodge City(1939). Directed by Michael Curtiz and based on a story by Robert Buckner. As a classic western, it tells the story of the rise, after the end of the Civil War, of the frontier post of Dodge City, Kansas to civilized town and trading place for cattle. In the process, Dodge City has to get rid of the bad guys terrorizing the citizens, and it takes a new sheriff and his deputy to clean up the town.

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939), Santa Fe Trail (1940) and They Died with Their Boots On (1941).

De Havilland stated, "He never guessed I had a crush on him. In fact, I read that he was in love with me when we made The Charge of the Light Brigade the next year, in 1936. I was amazed to read that, for it never occurred to me that he was smitten with me, too, even though we did all those pictures together." However, in an interview cited on Turner Classic Movies De Havilland claims she knew the crush was reciprocal and that when Flynn proposed, he was still married to actress Lili Damita.

De Havilland married novelist Marcus Goodrich in 1946 and they divorced in 1953. Their son, Benjamin (born in 1949) became a mathematician. She was married to French journalist and Paris Match editor Pierre Galante between 1955 until 1979. Their daughter, Giselle (who later became a journalist) was born in July 1956 when De Havilland was 40. After the divorce, De Havilland and Galante remained on good terms.

De Havilland was good friends with Bette Davis with whom she performed with in Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939), It's Love I'm After (1937), and In This Our Life (1942). She still remains a close friend of actress Gloria Stuart. In April 2008, she attended the Los Angeles funeral of Charlton Heston. In 2008, she was a surprise guest at the Centennial Tribute to Bette Davis.

In this video, lifelong friends Bette Davis & Olivia De Havilland perform on November 7th, 1964 episode of Hollywood Palace to promote what would be their final film together, Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte and perform a dramatic reading. The performance is a amazing. Guest host: Gene Barry.

Happy Birthday: Olivia Mary de Havilland .

Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916), is the older sister of actress Joan Fontaine. Along with her sister, de Havilland is one of the last surviving female stars from 1930s Hollywood. She is also the last living lead cast member from Gone with the Wind (1939). Epic film from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel of the same name. It was produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming from a screenplay by Sidney Howard. The epic film, set in the American South in and around the time of the American Civil War, stars Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, and Hattie McDaniel. It tells a story of the Civil War and its aftermath from a white Southern viewpoint.

IT'S LOVE I'M AFTER (1937)

Bette Davis and Leslie Howard made three films together. Their first movie together was the critically acclaimed Of Human Bondage in 1934. They were again paired in another drama, The Petrified Forest, in 1936. Both movies showcased their abilities to play tragic characters. However, people often forget the pair starred together in a romantic comedy in 1937 entitled It’s Love I’m After. It has recently been released as part of the “Warner Brothers Archive Collection.” I think it’s a great chick flick worth exploring, so here’s a little summary to get your interest piqued.

The movie opens with Joyce Arden (Davis) and Basil Underwood (Howard) performing the final scene of Romeo and Juliet. It is very apparent that each actor is trying to upstage the other. In fact, Underwood’s valet (Eric Blore) and Arden’s maid (Veda Ann Borg) comment about their bad behavior as they watch backstage. The camera then goes to a balcony at the play where Marcia West (Olivia DeHavilland) is watching Basil with great admiration. After the play ends, Marcia visits Basil backstage to tell him how much she admires him. Basil enjoys the young woman’s attentions and this leads to a fight with costar and “on again/off again” fiancée Joyce. It seems Basil enjoys the “admiration” of young female fans. As a result, he and Joyce still have not married although they’ve been engaged numerous times.

In between arguing with Joyce, Basil has another visitor, Henry Grant (Patric Knowles). He is Marcia’s fiancée and requests a favor from Basil. Henry wants Basil to come to Marcia’s home where there is a house party going on. Henry wants Basil to behave so badly that Marcia will get over her crush on Basil. Since Basil wants to redeem himself with Joyce, he agrees. This is where the real fun begins.

Basil arrives at the West home. He makes a rude entrance but Marcia doesn’t care – after all it IS Basil Underwood. As the visit proceeds, Basil continues to be arrogant and unpleasant. He even makes a move on Marcia in her bedroom. However, Marcia likes his aggressiveness and breaks her engagement to Henry. Meanwhile, Basil is torn because Marcia is a very attractive young lady. Basil’s valet, Digges, decides things have gone too far and calls who else? Joyce!

Joyce arrives and the sparks fly. She and Basil just can’t get their timing right. She had planned to get him out of the mess by telling Marcia that they are already married. But, the love struck Marcia could care less. She will wait for them to divorce. Then, being the two egotistical people they are, Basil and Joyce revert to their old behaviors and start blaming each other for the chaotic situation. So where does it all end? Will the two couples reunite with their original partners or will Marcia convince Basil that they belong together? Watch for yourself – you’ll be glad you did!

I should also mention that there are some great supporting players here. Eric Blore is great as the loyal valet to Underwood. His ability to convey his exasperation with his boss is priceless. Spring Byington appears as DeHavilland’s aunt who also appears to have a crush on Basil at times. Last, but not least, catch Bonita Granville at her best. In this film, Granville plays an annoying teenager who loves to eavesdrop and share what she’s discovered with anyone who will listen. It’s Love I’m After may not be the best film in the filmography of Davis, Howard, or DeHavilland. However, it shows the versatility of this very talented trio who are often best remembered for their strong dramatic portrayals.