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ZENITH AUTOMATIC
-¿LE LOCLE SWITZERLAND)
1865
THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1007,
coming Intolerable, despite all the resolutions about sacrificing momentary happinens to their burning simbitions,
Sir Larry and the Ladies THE LEIGH-OLIVIER TEAM-UP At the end of tit che led at th
by Alec Hamilton
OLIVIER met the beautiful Mrs Holman for the first time outside the Denham Studio self service restaurant. He wisely remarked on that occasion, 'People always get sick of each other when making a film. We shall probably end up by fighting."
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Vivien lew out of spend five + days with the disconeelzto Olivier, She alayed Ave months.
ternational reputation to match Olivier's, an Oscar, and a seven- year contract with famous pro- ducer David O. Selznick.
Selznick wI then in tho
- ludicrous position of starting to shoot his £2,000,000 "Cone with ance and worked hard le repice bing but the min alopped, the the Wind" without
the vigilant Konds handed her young couple returned to Eug meet hus. The encounter liste
heralne. her, grave technical deficiencies Ola Vie triumphed, ond the Olivier arranged for Vivien to ave-year, £80,000 contract. land having fallen deeply In only homent-and the un-
to known English actress She had to walt for a year be- love. They felt compelled for the fabulous HanaMan detlare their allathment to his oft with the
walked coveted role Of called on her and when he did wife and her husband. In the Scarlett O'Hara. Once again, it was to alar her in "Fire Over painful re-adjustments artsing her incredible beauty had con- England."
from this situation, Vivien wes quered. This pessimistic forecast could easily have Her stint on that eple com- parted from her daughter,
For both Larry and Vivien come true as filming is usually so full of infuriat- pleted, she went into two films Suzanine, and Lorry from his son
and two stage comedies, but Tarquin.
other pictures quickly followed ing delays and tedious bouts of waiting that tem- they extended her very little Only in their work could their inilal attecess. They work- and her chlef activity was they find relief from the strain cd hard, long weeks of arduous peraments can too easily become inflamed. The watching Olivier's "Holet" 14 of this unhappy time, At the shooting with occasional days shooting of "Fire Over England" went on for 14 times. To do this, the had to Old Vie Olivier's Hamlet had stolen from the studio to relax
Journey to the Old Vic, the been applanded as "the Birs! quielly with close friends. weeks, but at the end of it-so far from squabbling famous south London repertory virile Shakespeare in a genera they found the time dragged when they were not theatre presided over by Lillian ton." Acrobatically, however, it in each other's company.
The young actress was then 22 and quite ex- ceptionally lovely. The daughter of a Calcutta exchange broker.
VIVIEN
The little girl from India
MARY HARTLEY and plays. Then suddenly, like a WAS
born in India. When magnolia blossoming, she she was 15 her parents returned achieved fame overnight. to England, where she went to It was a triumph of beauty school, Later she had no dim ond flair over inexperience. culty persuading her father, an Taken by her agent to Sydney enthusiastle amateur actor. le Carroll's office she instantly cap
tivated the Impresario, fle forthwith cast her for one of the main roles in his new presenta- tlon, "The Masic of Virtue."
let her
enrol at the. Royal Academy of Dramatte Art.
At 19, her studies were inter- rupted when she married Leigh Holman, a young barrister, and she gave up acting a year later when her daughter was born.
But the fad been hypnotised by the footlights since early childhood, and her baby was barely six months old before Vivien was again tirelessly seek ing work a flim extra. This led to small parts in both Glms
He was taking a calculated risk-but Vivien Leigh the in- sisted an 'e would be more feminine, while she took her husband's Christian name to complete her stage name) te sponded with a performance that won ber West End stardom.
As she bathed in the acclama- tion that followed her perform-
Baylles.
God fearing eye
was
expired Just short of the fout-
MISS BAYLISS the ed by autograph hunters.
It was one of those days, on wasn't a patch on his Corinianus board Douglas Fairbanks's yacht, who somersaulted down a stälr- they heart that the Second case, rolled over three times, and World War had been declared. The nows galvanised Olivier. lights, For the first time In his fie climbed into o akiit and -career Olivier began to be trall paddled among the other yachts calling out in stentorian tonca that the very sands of fute were shifting and the end of the world was at hand. People com- plained to the authorities that Ronald Colman was drunk floating around
and in a rowboat. Colman was handed
an official protest, Ho was furious.
accond formidable theatri-
His popular appeal was soon eal spinster to influence Olivier's to be dramaticaity magnified, career. He was even more im- for Hollywood was beckoning pressed by her than by Miss agal-this time with the lead in Fogerty, and under her God- "Wuthering Heights," At first he fearing oye he tackled Hamlet, refused to be parted from Vivien, that Everest of the actor, and but after long discussions they conquered It gloriously.
agreed to let their careers mould Hir
their lives and he departed for California.
Prince of Denmark Viviert was soon to observe it at was electrifying. The entranced even closer quarters, for she was asked to play Ophelia when the company staged the play in
Castle at Elsinoro, in Denmark. Unfortunately, the Danish Tour- 1st Association, who invited them, could do nothing shout the weather, and the first Eng
sh company since 1985 to present the play in its authentic sulfing were soaked to the skin by a continuous downpour.
Drenched, Olivier and Vivien should have hated the whole
the courtyard of "Kronberg
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Idol of Hate
They were just gelling used to walking on the red carpet of stardom when I was rudely jerked from under them by dis- uster on Broadway. They staged THE Berce, scowling vividly a lavish production on Broad- hatcable Heathcliffe he way.ot "Romeo and Juliet" created for the picture made which won them the mast him the international screen idol scathing notices of their careers. of 1039.
It also had a more They were well and truly personal, perhaps more im panned. They lost every penny portant, result. For the first of their £12,000 savings.. line he became fascinated by The
technicalities
Retreading to Hollywood, they of Alm-
heard that their divorces had become final. In a secret cere- For all that, the strain of be- mony, a hundred miles from ing parted from Vivien was be "Hollywood and hawk-eyed re-
making.
Knight
AT the height of that triumphant season, cheered to the echo by his audiences, mobbed by his fans, idolised by Press and public, official re- cognition came to Olivier in one quiet line of print in the London Gazette. It announced the award of a knighthood to "Laurence Olivier, actor. For
Typically, like a good player of their success. For them all heightening an effect by throw the world was truly a stage, ing it away, Olivier recorded the They had only a passing interest honour In his diary, "Tuesday in anything beyond stage or July 0, 1047: Buckingham screen, and in their passionate Palace-10.15." But he cut a love of acting they Eladly curious and nervous figure that hazarded not only their money morning among the hearly ad- but their health,
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gigantic, To complain's that the was dribbling his energies into trivial parts, the retorted: "1 beg leave to say categorically that I strike as hard as I know how to, at every job I do.”
porters, they were married in August, 1940. Their brief honey- moon was spent quietly with no shooting-on-tonald-Col- men's yacht.
In 1941 they returned to Eng- Jand and Olivier joined the Fleet Air Arm. Very early on he accounted for two aircraft, his own and the one he taxled into.
with
That incident, on his first day. at his first station, was virtually the last action, the Service of- fered. A faulty ear condemned Presently came the revival him to non-operational flying, and the vigour of that state- and presently,
bored ment was reflected in five re teaching Air Scouts to fy and sounding notes struck from his depressed by broad dramatic range.
frequent separa- tion from Vivien, he began to Memorial think he could serve his country Theatre he erected a stark, un- better as a first-rate actor than "chard III" he achieved his forgettable "Macbeth," In as a second-line pilot.
The Admiralty were inclined ambition to produce, direct and to agree with him and in 1943 star in "the best picture that
he was released to make a film has ever been made."
of "Henry V."
AL Stratford
alliance with Marilyn Monroe, Largest Command
mirals and generals waiting to Larry might continue be honoured by King George Vi. present, that fleeting, Actors make infrequent apamilo la his public, but it pearances at these investiturés, mašleed real tension and-beart-
Не formed a move-making Olivier was only the 20th to break. receive the accolate in the 52 Certainly the physical de- watch proved a delicious light years since Irving knelt before mands of his job would have comedy from the moment they Queen Victoris. And, at forly, chattered R coolminer. Hig met to discuss the project in' he was by for the younges!. supercharged approach to act her New York flat. Britain's From the Investiture he re- ing was not only profoundly greatest actor, never at a loss turned to the studios where he intellectual but breath-takingly for a courtly phrase or gesture, was producing, directing and robust, and his acrobatic style sot side-by-side on a chintz starring in "Hamlet"--the fim and methods
brought him covered sofa with Hollywood's which was lo conBirzn and many honourable scars from
acintillating Sex Symbol, toast enrich that proud reputation flying tows, charging horses, ing their friendship in cham how royally acknowledged. and stabbing daggers. But pagne and discussing the lady's art folios of Braque and Matisse reproductions. Through out their delicate, rather coy, association Olvier's deft show manship and subtle diplomacy never faltered. The pubile wens Freatly diverted, and in their
im
GLITTER FADES INEVITABLY sheer exhaustion
ÚT of uniform, he took over the largest command he was to have in wartime: the 800 Irichmen who formed the Eng-
th and French armies in battle of Agincourt when tho nim was shot in Ireland.
"Hamlet" was a worthy brokea bones, concussions,
"Henry V" (Hank Cing, as It. successor to "Henry V." It set sptalie and bruises never fareed
is known to the trade) turned, n record by winning five Oscars him to relax his grip on in
aut to be the first auccessfu -and it made money too.
clusive character or emotion.
Shakespeare flim ever made. It Honours for Olivier - ΠΟΥ
was not only artistle-il muda rapidly accumulated from all
money—a combination that - quarters. deed,
Some were rare in
brought out soft, if balled, In Australla he found folled him more than once
miles on the film industry's himself taking the talute at a
and his wife's uncertain health
hard-faced business tyres. It march-pant of the Royal Navy; was an added source of worry.
niró gained Olivier his first in England a brand of cigarettes Just after the war Vivien came
Oscar, and, further, heralded a was named after him a fact down with TB and they moved this dripping chunk of Eliza- touched seemned
Then "Titus Andronicus" In. golden time when everylling he that gave newspaper wits into Netley Abbey just in time bethan
to be tran cxcuse to call him "Old
Grand Guignol, so smuted into greatness. Sinokey."
their glossy dalliance, masterminded by Olivier, pro duced a smash hit.
it
soon
for it to serve as a sanatorium trathy that many doubt for nine months. Twice in 12 Shakespeare had a hand in it. With his good friend' Ralph Το their loyal and adoring years they sorrowed over the he demonstrated his creativa Richardson he returned to the publie Larry and Viv appeared loss of a child for which they
The olit hall had been glittering, romantie and both longet.
fair by making much out of Old Vle, notably handsome
50 the company Then after couple, the
nothing and set off in this bombed out, the flim of creaking theatrient vehicle to was
revived at the New Hans of London high society. "Hamlet" the limelight on the receive the homage of Europe's Theatre. Their exertions Financially, Olivier had never glittering pair began to fade.
capitais. Finally, in a painfully elevated It Into # National been acquisitive (Hollywood was In the middle of the gruel-
Д topleal drama by rling Theatro, Olivier's performances begging him to accept 20,000 ting, triumphant Australian
playwright, A week while he was telling tour Olivier heard that he and starred as a leering, washed-up Shakespeare, Shaw, Sophocles Olivier there, in that 1044 season, in through an Australian tour with Richardson Had
It and Sheridan, are now legon- the Old Vie for 200) but he never lacked the means to enjoy a gracious mode of living.
COUNTRY GENT
young
BEST TO COME
ROMAN general, Scots Baron, Imediatval usurper, Ruri- tanian Prince, seedy music-hall hoofer... five portralis to hang In the immortal gallery our most Illustrious actor has presented to his people.
What heights will he conquer next--or are there any left to conquer? He is, after all, only
dary.
His "Richard III" so gripped bis audiences that not even the throb and rumble overhead of German flying bombs could drag their eyes from the black, bent
murderer on the stage.
That Inner
Are, allegedly lacking at the Central School Dow twenty years before, was burning
And brightly,
it illuminated the whole English theatre.
been sum- comie a tatty nude show, marily retired by the Governors was and is- sengalion. of the Old Vic. The decision has never been explained.
Thereaftor Olivier's course became uncertain. He never ¿ompromised with his own TN koeping with his vicarage exacting standards, he was as
· background and reserved per- venturosome and imaginativo sonality, his private life tended að över. But, .his playing to resemble
senior never took fire. He seemed to that of etyll servant with Independent have lost the magle touch, mitans.. He dressed conserva- Hla Bim of the classic "Beg Uvely in pin-stripe suits and gar's Optta" was a fallure; In calivated a leo judgment in Hollywood ho appeared in a Wiles. A collection of Bickerts, feeble nim called "Carrie.' Augustus Johns and French Im- He leased a London theatre
Olivier and Rehardson began pressionista graced the walls of the St John's and his ad his dat In Chelsea and his mirers prepared to all a g. 50, and everything up to now to generate that kind of idol by necluded country home, the re- and glorious reign as actor
could de microly
prologue, usually accorded only to "pop" módklieð 19th century Nelley manager. But he produced top Olivier himself approticht's this singers and seldom offered to Abby in Oxfordshire where ho after flop. He appeared on al- question, tie he approaches. great clasele actors. For an hour bleyed the country gentleman ternating nights
opposite everything, with complete lack one evening, the street outside the theatre was choked by 2,000 grith farm ditidi xarleet garden. Vlylan, in Anthony and of affectation. There is very An accomplished horseman, he loopatra" and "Caesar and little in the man off-stage to ecstatic fans, shouting "We want with Vivien--was a regular Cleopatra," and took these pro- suggest the battles be has Larry!" As he emerged they him, tore the buttons race-goer.
darellona - to Broadway, but caught and won or will fight in rushed Vivien way
the future. The only suggestion of his clothing, and forced hims excellent, though well, received. It was a
of the fee that kindles on the to escape on the roof of a taxi. hostess and hometaker, for financial failure.
have Whom everythingwin. Dat or There were mutterings that stage in this tall, soft-spoken, The demonstration may
been more hysteriet than cul- mansion had to be elegantly in Larry was ringlesting, his own man, is in the perfect, Its proper place. With her hery massive abilities to foster the centrated gftentioh ho gives to tural, but it did at least show
or his wife, the mattei or person" he Is the affection their loyal dispostilón, her love of clothes, lester Canasta cate
Late hours. End though it was admitted to hack addressing, and the impression Jeets were to lavish on "Larry kirilliant performance that inside the quiet manner is and Viv,” the naw Icing and dancing the wuttiba; the and the drawn
a care of steel,
queen of the theatre, ürends froster of Netley Abbey from her and she was now an were a strikking þáir.
-actross of considerable atdlure. But they had little enough The giant, the critics carped, sufficiently leisure to enjoy the perquisitva
An
WAR
talenta
not being
comTM
sub-