Happy Birthday, Olivia!

 

Actress Olivia de Havilland was born 94 years ago today in Tokyo, Japan. Along with 100-year-old Luise Rainer, who I saw recently at the TCM Film Festival, and Olivia’s 93-year-old sister, Joan Fontaine, de Havilland is one of only a handful of movie stars from the 1930s who are still with us. I wrote to the actress in the early 1970s and a few months later received a lovely handwritten letter in return. The letter came from Paris where she still lives.

My favorite de Havilland films include “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” “Hold Back the Dawn,” “The Dark Mirror” (in which she played twins, one good, one evil), “The Snake Pit,” and “The Heiress.” I also enjoyed her later work in horror films such as the creepy and terrifying “Lady in a Cage” and “Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte.” And, of course, along with Ann Rutherford, she is one of the few remaining stars of “Gone With the Wind” and was as perfect for the part of Melanie as Leslie Howard was unsuited to play Ashley. 

Olivia burst on the scene in 1935 when Max Reinhardt discovered her and put her in a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Hollywood Bowl. He cast her in the film version of that production and she was quickly signed for a long-term contract at Warner Brothers.

From a May 1935 article (a whopping 75 years ago!) heralding Olivia’s arrival in Hollywood:

Ever since the movies were weaned away from the old nickelodeons, Cinderella tales have been written about pretty young screen actresses. But never before has there been one which quite equals that of Olivia de Havilland. Here is more than just the story of an extra girl leaping into fame overnight. It’s the story of a girl who left Saratoga, Calif., a village of about 800 population, and grabbed one of Hollywood’s choicest roles the first time she ever stepped in front of the movie camera.

That happened six months ago. And Olivia still is an unknown, unseen quantity as far as the public is concerned. Take my word for it, however, she’s going places.

When Olivia got her break, her mother and 17-year-old sister, Joan, moved to Hollywood. The three share a comfortable apartment in an exclusive quarter here. And now Joan is being tested for a contract at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The mother and two daughters are a remarkable trio, really like sisters, all having the same likes and dislikes.

Although only 18, Olivia already has decided to be an old maid—well, for the next 10 years, anyway. “Romance doesn’t seem to mix with a career in pictures,” she told me. “Our hours of work are so irregular that it frequently is necessary to break dates. Boys don’t like that. So I’m not even going to think about romance until I’m finished in pictures.”

Of all the things which might happen to an aspiring film star, there’s only one that really annoys “Bunny.” That’s to have the taller and blond Joan taken for her older sister. Some day she probably will cheer such an error. But right now she’s awfully proud of her 18 years.

I always thought Olivia was a much better actress than her sister, Joan, and that Joan was the prettier sister. But it is exactly such comparisons that helped to create the sad feud the sisters have been engaged in for more than half a century. Their Oscar night snubs are legendary. Both were nominated for Best Actress in 1941 and when Joan won, she allegedly walked by Olivia without acknowledging her. Olivia returned the favor a few years later when she won. Oy. They supposedly have not spoken to each other since 1975 and some say Joan is estranged from her own children because of their contact with Aunt Olivia. What a shame. Two women who have the good fortune to live so incredibly long and they squander all that time with their pettiness. It’s been written that their mother started the rivalry by favoring Olivia and forbidding Joan to use the family name when she became an actress. Who knows—maybe their feud is partly responsible for their longevity as each refuses to be the first one to die.

There’s no question that Olivia de Havilland was a great actress. Her parts were very serious and she didn't hesitate to tackle difficult and unglamorous subjects such as mental illness. Here’s a birthday clip that represents anything but the serious side of her.

Olivia de Havilland was the first actress to successfully sue a Hollywood studio for their unfair contract system that made many actors feel like indentured servants. The De Havilland Law is still in effect today. Wishing you a wonderful 94th birthday, Olivia. And Joan…CALL YOUR SISTER! 

Comments

[Mark Daniels]

My favorite de Havilland film is 'Robin Hood.' I thought she was both prettier and a better actress than her sister. It's probably past time for them to bury the hatchet.

[Gordon]

Dear Danny,
What a bizarre musical number. George Tobias, who was hitting some pretty sour notes there, was much more enjoyable playing the part of Abner Kravitz, on "Bewitched." I never could stand Joan Fontaine. She always seemed to be playing herself, on screen. I can remember Olivia making an appearance at the Oscars, 5 or 10 years ago. She was the epitome of old Hollywood class and grace. Typical of people born under the sign of Cancer, Olivia can hold a grudge forever. LOL. Happy Birthday to one of Hollywood's all-time brightest stars.

[Pam G]

Wonderful tribute. I had forgotten how old she was and that she and her sister are still with us. Perhaps they will reconcile one day? Doubtful, I suppose.

[Julie R.]

It's nice to read a tribute to someone who's living!

[Kirk]

I also believe Olivia was both a better actress and prettier than her sister. In fact, I would argue that she was AS pretty as Vivian Leigh, but because Melanie was supposed to be a plain Jane when compared to Scarlett O'hara, Olivia wore just a little less make-up or something.

The fact that she holds her own with Montgomery Clift in The Heiress(another not-quite-plain Jane role) is a testament to her acting abilities

[Rosanna Marquez]

Excellent piece, Danny. I have to say the most riveting part of their story (which, I, too have followed along with stories about 30s stars, movies and foibles) was about the sibling rivalry between Olivia de Haviland and Joan Fontaine. I'll bet we've seen the the human nature and sibling rivalry themes that still play out between them play out in our own lives and/or close circles. Loved your line about that outliving each other is a prime motivator - hey, whatever it takes.

[Louis E.]

Actually,the first five words of Margaret Mitchell's novel are "Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful".

[churlita]

I can't believe she's still alive. It's sad about the family feud, though.

[Robyn Burack]

Hey Danny- I also wrote to Olivia and received an answer. My dad took care of her during World War II while she was in Fiji and had gotten sick. The picture he had of the two of them was his pride and joy!

[Kate]

Did you know the story about Joan having Clark Gable's baby? My Mom was a friend to her (the love child) in the 50s in LA when his "first" child, a son, was born after his death and remembers talking about her reaction to all the media hoopla.