FILMOGRAPHY

Gone With The Wind, 1939

Some think this film is the best ever made. I'm not sure I'd agree, but it certainly has been the most popular and is truly a great American film. Olivia was thrilled to play Melanie, the kind and gentle wife of Ashley Wilkes, played by Leslie Howard. Filmed by David O. Selznick and starring the best that Hollywood could offer this film is probably the best known American film.

Warner Brothers lent Olivia to Selznick to play the part and she was excellent playing the pale and plain Melanie.

She managed to portray her with the inner dignity and strength that was necessary to compete with the heroine of Scarlett O'Hara played by Vivien Leigh. Rhett Butler, played by Clark Gable described her after her death as "the only completely kind person he ever knew."

Olivia was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress but lost to Hattie McDaniel. Olivia said that Melanie was her favorite role and has been quoted as saying that "she is the woman I wish I could be."

I think that Melanie is as important to the film as Scarlett is. She is the film's soul and this was enhanced dramatically by Olivia's skill and subtlety in the part.

The cast includes:

Clark Gable .... Rhett Butler
Vivien Leigh .... Scarlett O'Hara
Leslie Howard .... Ashley Wilkes
Olivia de Havilland .... Melanie Hamilton
Thomas Mitchell .... Gerald O'Hara
Barbara O'Neil .... Ellen O'Hara
Evelyn Keyes .... Suellen O'Hara
Ann Rutherford .... Carreen O'Hara
George Reeves .... Stuart Tarleton
Fred Crane .... Brent Tarleton
Hattie McDaniel .... Mammy
Oscar Polk .... Pork
Butterfly McQueen .... Prissy
Victor Jory .... Jonas Wilkerson
Everett Brown .... Big Sam