Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier

Vivien Leigh: Becoming Scarlett

By Kendra + February 9, 2012

There were quite a few of you who expressed interest in reading my MA dissertation “Deconstructing Scarlett: Vivien Leigh and International Film Stardom.” Well, now you can! Sort of. I’m really excited to say that my (edited) first chapter has been published in issue 75 of Bright Lights Film Journal! This piece, titled “Vivien Leigh: Becoming Scarlett” examines Vivien’s position within the British film industry of the 1930s–a time period that is not talked about much when it comes to her career. I’m absolutely tickled pink to be included among so many intelligent film writers. I think this means I can officially call myself a historian, right? 😉

On February 29, 1940, Hollywood’s elite gathered in the famous Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel to celebrate the 12th annual Academy Awards. It was a night of many firsts in Hollywood history. Gone with the Wind swept the show with a then-unprecedented ten awards, including Best Picture. Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award for her moving performance as Scarlett O’Hara’s Mammy, and at the age of twenty-six, Vivien Leigh collected the first of her two career Oscars for bringing Margaret Mitchell’s heroine to life. Leigh had been up against some of the top stars of the studio era including Greta Garbo and Bette Davis. Just as she had run away with the part of Scarlett, Leigh again beat out strong competition to become the first British winner in the Best Actress category. Later that night, Peter Stackpole photographed her placing her statue on the fireplace mantle in her Beverly Hills home. This photo, printed in the March 11, 1940 issue of Life magazine, captures Leigh on the brink of international stardom. It also exemplifies what Richard Dyer terms the “myth of success”: the popular notion that “American society is sufficiently open for anyone to get to the top, regardless of rank.” The odds of a young, unknown hopeful making it on the big screen were slim even in the 1930s. That such an aspirant — and a foreign one, at that — should win the most coveted and publicised female role in Hollywood history was next to impossible…

Read the entire article here!

Special thanks to Belen Vidal and Lawrence Napper, professors of Film Studies at King’s College London for the encouragement along the way, and Gary Morris at Bright Lights for deeming it good enough to publish!

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The Secret’s Out…

By Kendra + January 27, 2012

I’ve got a secret! Okay, it’s not really so much a secret as an announcement — one I’ve debated making here for ages, and one which, after some good vibes from a couple good friends, I’ve finally decided to make. Ready?

I’m writing a book!

Not just writing, but also assembling. It’s an illustrated photography book (read: coffee table book) about Vivien Leigh and I’ve been working on it for the past three years. Nearly everything I’ve done during this time has been in some way related to accomplishing this goal and I believe in this project with all my heart. I’ve had this vision for so long, and like many things in life, the road has not always traveled straight ahead. The original plan was to do something about the personal and professional relationship of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier. In the past four or five months, however, the topic has shifted to focus on Vivien and her life. I think this is the right decision.

Why this book? How long has it been since someone wrote a decent biography about Vivien Leigh? At least 20 years. Since becoming a fan of Vivien way back when and, as such, a passionate fan of classic cinema, it has always puzzled and saddened me that there have been no books of this format that focus on Vivien. All the other stars of the studio era have beautiful photography books dedicated to their lives and careers. You’d think there would be nothing left to say about Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn, for example, but they get new ones nearly every year. In Vivien’s case, the only illustrated books dedicated to her are Angus McBean’s Vivien A Love Affair in Camera and John Russell Taylor’s Vivien Leigh. These books, while containing lovely photos and heartfelt sentiments, barely scratch the surface.

It’s high time Vivien Leigh–the woman and actress–was put back in the spotlight. With her 100th birthday coming up in 2013, I aim to do just that.

What’s new to offer? While previous Vivien Leigh biographies have been well-researched, the fact is that there is so much more out there. I’m talking about archival materials, loads of rare and never-before-published photographs and personal papers. This will be the first book about Vivien to tap into the rich collections in major archives, including those in the British Library and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

What can I bring to the table as a writer? Years’ worth of research, a film degree and a lot of TLC.

Vivien Leigh more than deserves to be celebrated in a book like this. Her life and career were interesting of course, but she also had an aesthetic that lent itself so well to photography. This is the book I’ve always wanted to buy.

How YOU can help

I’m always looking for stories and original, rare photos of Vivien to enhance the materials I’ve already sourced. If you are a collector and have photos you’d like to share, or if you are a fan and were lucky enough to correspond with or even meet Vivien in person, please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!

I’ll keep you all updated on new developments. It’s been a long, sometimes frustrating process, but I’ve never lost hope that it will come to fruition in the end. Slow and steady wins the race, as they say. Vivien deserves it.

film diary

Film Diary Friday: The Artist

By Kendra + January 8, 2012

I was going to post this yesterday, but then I got a job, so the first in a series of Film Diary Fridays will be on a Saturday. Hopefully this will be an exception and not a rule. Anyway…

These days, more often than not, I leave the cinema feeling cheated of the majority of the money I paid to watch a film. I don’t think I’d be out of place saying there’s a lot of grade A shit that somehow manages to get financed and produced in Hollywood. I mean, I am hard-pressed to name one film in the past 10 years that’s actually been worth the extortionate ticket prices. That’s why I cherish those films that are released once in a blue moon that actually have substance and creativity, and remind me just why I love movies in the first place. I’m happy to report that on Wednesday I experienced one of those once in a blue moon moments when I went to a preview screening of the awards ceremony front-runner and critical darling The Artist.

George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is the biggest star in Hollywood. Like real-life Douglas Fairbanks, the tiny-mustachioed Valentin swashbuckles and charms his way across the silent screen and into America’s hearts, thereby making him the hottest property at Kinograph Studios. Peppy Miller (Bernice Bejo) is one of Valentin’s biggest fans. When she drops her autograph book while the press are taking photos of Valentin after the premier of his latest film, she accidentally lands on the front page of the Hollywood Reporter, launching her quest to become famous. She gets a job as an extra dancing in Valentin’s next film A German Affair, and quickly becomes Hollywood’s new “It” girl.

While Peppy’s star is on the rise, Valentin’s is fast on the decline. When talkies are introduced in 1929, he laughs them off as a fad. The Kinograph studio chief (played with robust charisma by John Goodman) gives him an ultimatum: make the switch or he’s finished. Like Louise Brooks did in her heyday, Valentin decides he doesn’t need to talk on screen. Audiences love him. He spends his last penny directing and starring in what he hopes is his magnum opus, Tears of Love. But the fans don’t come and Valentin realizes how quickly a star can be replaced. “Make way for the young.” Broke and destitute, Valentin drives himself to the brink of self-destruction, only to be pulled back by the girl he made famous.

The Artist isn’t a complicated film or even a very innovative one. Instead it’s a heartfelt homage to Hollywood’s cinematic history. My love for classic films, and Hollywood films in particular, may be why I loved this one so much, but I have a feeling I’d have enjoyed it regardless of my cinematic tastes. What stood out for me the most were the performances. Jean Dujardin was note perfect. He’s loaded with charisma and mastered the suave but silly facial expressions that were made popular by actors like Fairbanks and John Barrymore. Bernice Bejo was also lovely, and there were great supporting performances by John Goodman and James Cromwell (as Valentin’s loyal butler and chauffeur). Last but certainly not least, was the amazing “performance” by Uggie the terrier, a modern day Asta to Valentin and Peppy’s Nick and Nora.

This review would not be complete without mentioning the ending, which was the best thing possibly ever. Whoever did the choreography for the dance sequences ought to get an Oscar. These days, when mindless, action packed blockbusters rule the silver screen, it seems ironic that the film to break the monotony should be one that uses a formula that was popular nearly 100 years ago. But The Artist is like a vintage wine, the “older”, the better, and it definitely goes down smooth. I hope all of you who get the chance to see it love it as much as I did. It’s extremely nostalgic without being sappy and without trying too hard. All of the allure and magic of classic Hollywood cinema has been recreated here, and I was thoroughly enchanted.

Grade: A

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Film Diary: 2012

By Kendra + January 3, 2012

One of my New Year’s resolutions (among many) is to keep track of all the films I watch in 2012. I had attempted it in 2011, as well, but didn’t make it past about June. Someone please slap me if I’m not more diligent this year!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (David Fincher, 2011)
Look Back in Anger (Tony Richardson, 1959)
Heartbeats (Xavier Dolan, 2010)
The Artist (Michel Hazanavicious, 2011) x 2
The Descendants (Alexander Payne, 2011)
The Woman in Black (James Watkins, 2012)
Far From the Madding Crowd (John Schlesinger, 1967)
My Name was Sabina Spielrein (Elisabeth Marton, 2002)
A Dangerous Method (David Cronenberg, 2011)
Hunger (Steve McQueen, 2008)
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (John Madden, 2011)
Rampart (Oren Moverman, 2011)
Safe House (Daniel Espinosa, 2012)
Manhattan (Woody Allen, 1979)
Trishna (Michael Winterbottom, 2011)
Bel Ami (Delcan Donnellan, Nick Ormerod, 2012)
21 Jump Street (Phil Lord, Chris Miller, 2012)
The Hunger Games (Gary Ross, 2012)
Kid with a Bike (Jean-Piere and Luc Dardenne, 2011)
Into the Abyss: A Tale of Death, A Tale of Life (Werner Herzog, 2012)
A Night to Remember (Roy Ward Baker, 1958)
Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976)
Tomboy (Céline Sciamma, 2011)
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (Marc Rothemund, 2005)
Accident (Joseph Losey, 1967)
Blue Valentine (Derek Cianfrance, 2010)
Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf? (Mike Nichols, 1966)
Ballets Russes (Daniel Geller and Dana Goldfine, 2005)
Monsieur Lazhar (Philippe Falardeau, 2011)
La Haine (Matheiu Kassovitz, 1995)
A Royal Affair (Nikolaj Arcel, 2012)
Moonrise Kingdom (Wes Andersen, 2012)
Prometheus (Ridley Scott, 2012)
A Royal Affair (Nikolaj Arcel, 2012)
Carrie (William Wyler, 1952)
Possessed (Curtis Bernhardt, 1947)
A Single Man (Tom Ford, 2010) x2
The Divorce of Lady X (Tim Whelan, 1938)
The Imposter (Bart Layton, 2012)
War Horse (Stephen Spielberg, 2012)
Great Expectations (Mike Newell, 2012)
Searching for Sugarman (Malik Bendjelloul, 2012)
Ted (Seth MacFarlane, 2012)
The Third Man (Carol Reed, 1949)
The Untouchables (Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano, 2011)
Brave (Mark Andrews, 2012)
Bruce Campbell vs The Army of Darkness (Sam Raimi, 1992)
Drag Me to Hell (Sam Raimi, 2009)
Call Me Kuchu (Katherine Fairfax Wright, Malika Zouhali-Worrall, 2012)
Skyfall (Sam Mendes, 2012)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Stephen Spielberg, 1984)
The Social Network (David Fincher, 2011)

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Year end wrap-up 2011

By Kendra + December 30, 2011

As we get older, time seems to go by faster and faster. Here we are at the end of yet another year. But 2011 was a memorable one for many reasons. I finished graduate school with distinction, wrote a really long paper on Vivien Leigh and film stardom, traveled to some amazing places including Paris and Poland, went back home to visit my family and friends in California, got an agent and am working hard on a book, saw Gone with the Wind on the big screen and met some amazing people both through this website and otherwise. It was also a big year for vivandlarry.com. Here’s a round-up of the best things on the site this year, and my top 10 favorite new-to-me films!

The Best of Viv and Larry in 2011

Visiting Tickerage Mill — Sometimes the best things happen when you least expect them. When my friend and fellow Viv and Larry fan Sami and I decided to take a spur-of-the-moment trip to Sussex in search of Vivien Leigh’s country home, we never expected to bump into the owner and be invited inside the gates to snap photos. It was a beautiful house and property with a very peaceful atmosphere. It’s no wonder Vivien loved it.

A Weekend with the Oliviers — I’ve helped plan events before at work, but this was the first time I’d ever planned something entirely on my own. An amazing group of people came to London in May of this year to celebrate Larry and Vivien, and I was so happy it turned out well. Everyone was so nice, and luckily all the plans fell into place! We did a backstage tour at the Old Vic, saw That Hamilton Woman on the big screen, chatted with Hugo Vickers, and saw a play about Vivien that happened to be attended by Tarquin Olivier. It gave me a real confidence boost to have been able to lead everyone around London for two days. What a bunch of good sports!

Tea at Notley Abbey — A last-minute addition to A Weekend with the Oliviers, our trip to Notley Abbey went from cool to awesome when it started raining and we were invited in for tea! Sipping a hot cup of Earl Grey and eating fresh brownies in Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier’s former sitting room before being allowed to wander about and take photos was the perfect, spontaneous way to spend an afternoon!

Gone with the Wind tribute — This list of ten reasons why Gone with the Wind is still awesome was the top viewed post of 2011!

Interview with author Philip Ziegler — Author Philip Ziegler answered questions about his upcoming biography on Laurence Olivier. I cant wait for this to be published!

Interview with author Ellen F. Brown — Ellen F. Brown, co-author of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind: A Bestseller’s Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood gave us the inside info on the journey of everyones favorite Civil War romance.

Remembering Vivien Leigh — A few of us fans in London left white roses for Vivien Leigh at 54 Eaton Square in honor of what would have been her 98th birthday on 5 November. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of current resident Luise Rainer!

The Viv and Larry holiday contest — This is currently going on right now! You can win a fab classic film prize pack, so don’t miss out!

Top 10 new-to-me films of 2011

1. Letter from an Unknown Woman (Max Ophuls, 1948) — I’m usually not a big fan of Joan Fontaine but the combination of period drama, angst, Louis Jordan and one of my favorite directors made for very good viewing.

2. The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius, 2011) — This film actually opens today so I won’t get to see it before January 1, but I can already tell I’ll love it!

3. Term of Trial (Peter Glenville, 1962) — Laurence Olivier’s underrated and understated performance as a schoolteacher accused of rape by his star pupil is one of the best in his repertoire.

4. Les Enfants du Paradis (Marcel Carne, 1945) — Screened at the BFI Film Festival, this centuries-old tale of unrequited love on the busy boulevards of Paris was one tear-jerker not to be missed.

5. Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen, 2011) — It’s no Annie Hall, but I can’t fault Woody Allen for transporting us back to 1920s Paris when Papa Hemingway, Picasso and everyone’s favorite mustachioed surrealist Salvador Dali tore up the town. Très romantique!

6. L’Historie d’Adele H. (Francois Truffaut, 1975) — Another story of unrequited love and madness, this time set in Nova Scotia. The beautiful Isabelle Adjani plays real-life tragic Adele Hugo to perfection in this film by French master Francois Truffaut.

7. Twentieth Century (Howard Hawks, 1934) — A zany film starring Carole Lombard and John Barrymore, in which Lombard plays the straight character. So funny and rather unexpected!

8. Les Diaboliques (Jaques-Henri Cluzot) — I loved this thriller starring Simone Signoret and Vera Clouzot about a woman who plans to have her husband murdered, and the tables are unexpectedly turned on her.

9. All About My Mother (Pedro Almodovar, 1999) — Definitely one of the best I’ve seen from this living legend. Penelope Cruz has really grown on me recently.

10. Evergreen (Victor Saville, 1934) — My friend Mark introduced me to this sugary British musical starring Jessie Matthews. I ate it up like candy.

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There will be much more coming up here in 2012, so please stick around and thank you so much for all your wonderful support this past year!

Don’t forget you can also find Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier in the following places: