ALL the other actresses were HORRIBLE; thank God Vivien Leigh came to the rescue! The only one who was pretty enough for the part was Paulette Goddard, but she could not act at all.
Vivien was so Obviously Scarlett! The interaction with her Mammy was so natural. It seemed as if she had been doing that routine with her mammy all her life...so like a little spoiled girl, tossing her hair impatiently and not caring for what her mammy has to say. She was So into her own world of looking pretty and making sure the ribbon would look nice in her hair, trying to impress Ashley. ...(you might say, "um..that's acting my friend") But Vivian was not acting when she WAS Scarlet.
Vivien Leight was the right choice. She was born to play that part. Even her appearance is spot on. If you read Scarlett O'Hara's description in the novel, it is a precise description of Vivien. Spooky, really.
I was nineteen in 1987 when I watched Gone With The Wind for the first time, and had no idea if I'd enjoy the film. I fell in love with Vivien Leigh as soon as she said "fiddle-dee-dee". A few minutes later I fell in love again, with Olivia de Havilland. It's still my favorite film.
I don't know what you guys are talking about...Paulette Goddard has those "crazy" eyes that freak me out. Yes she did an AMAZING job, but not as well as Vivian who coined it as the snotty, conceited, and over-privileged brat. Paulette comes off as a bit too mature here, Vivian actually grows into a woman as the movie progresses.
@5starscream Trolls and haters of old Hollywood need to buzz off. Go watch something with lots of explosions and vulgar language that keep up with your short attention span.
@Iluvanonymous Vivien Leigh was what we call "petite". That's something I'm sure you're not familiar with as you probably like big Amazon queens aka possible trannies & fat women.
When you see Vivien Leigh it's no contest and she rightly deserved the part. I'm amazed at the makeup transformation with Leslie Howard who was a little too old to play Ashley at the time. Clark Gable didn't want the part mostly because it was Scarlett's vehicle and he thought no one would notice him, but he was the immediate public choice to play Rhett.
Leslie Howard is so ugly, Vivien Leigh's acting is about as convincing as a doorknob and she has the body of an eleven year old boy. Paulette Goddard looks and sounds like a giant, middle-aged rooster. Nice slave though. Try harder next time, Hellznick.
@Iluvanonymous You cant be serious. Vivien Leigh is one of the most beautiful actresses to every grace the screen, and she could act circles around the others. Leslie Howard was older for the part, but he wasn't ugly. He just was miscast.
@VASINGER I never said a thing about her face, did I? It's beautiful, sure. Looks like a porcelain doll's. Too bad the very first words on the very first page of the damn book are: "Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful". It also says she was buxom and Leigh was nearly as waifish as Audrey Hepburn. Scarlett is supposed to be fiery, while Leigh put too much of herself into all of her roles which was basically just a weepy, flighty hopeless romantic. She made Scarlett look like a Mary Sue from Hell.
@Iluvanonymous Ive seen pics of Vivian Leigh and she was no wear near as thin as Audrey Hepburn. She had a nice bosom! I never thought AH was attractive at all. I dont want to insult the woman, VL was prefect for Scarlett. She was firey. Her performance in GWTW was just great. I know you may not agree, but I cant imagine anyone else for that part. And BTW, Margaret Mitchell didnt think herself as beautiful. Thats why its in the book.
@bervy8 she was definitely one of the best, but I think there's something about Leigh's ability to channel a darker side that makes you want to both love and hate Scarlett. Like when she goes to Ashely's surprise party and everyone looks at her when she walks in (in that ridiculous red dress) - her cold look always makes me uncomfortable...she looked like the evil queen in Snow White
Vivien Leigh and Leslie Howard were too goddamn British for this movie. End of discussion. Watch The Godfather. It's a true classic and nowhere near as overrated.
@5starscream The Southern culture is much more closer to England than the rest of the country. I actually think they fit perfectly for the role. Clark Gable being a yankee from Ohio naturally could never have played Ashley. He had to play the part of a Southerner with ties to the north.
vivien leigh was a manic depressive and that helped break up her marriage to lawrence olivier but i think thats what gave her a hint of devilment in her role of scarlett in gone with the wind.
I think that if Vivien Leigh had not existed, or could not have played Scarlett at all for some reason, the best choice for the part would have been Rita Hayworth. Check out "The Loves Of Carmen" and you will understand why. As for Paulette, no doubt she was a good actress, but why the hell did she smile all the time? She was not in some comedy movie! Lucille Ball? Another great diva, but Scarlett wasn't exactly funny. To sum up: Vivien WAS the perfect choice, no doubt about it!
Lucille Ball was also one of the actresses chosen to play Scarlett. Davis O. Selznick said she would've been perfect. I don't think she ever auditioned for the part, though.
Vivien Leigh was incomparable as Scarlett. A classic performance. David Selznick considered Norma Shearer, Paulette Goddard, and an old flame Jean Arthur. Mrs. Selznick saw Edythe Marrener on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, and suggested her for Scarlett. Selznick brought Ms Marrener to Hollywood where she lost the part of Scarlett but reach super stardom as
I remember being nine and ten and being obsessed with Gone With the Wind, Olivia de Havilland. "OMGoodles OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND IS AWESOME!" Looking back on it, I was so right ^_^
I agree with you Elias... Paulette was brilliant in that audition, maybe topping Vivien in the same scene. Viv was sometimes more an empress than a wealthy planter's daughter. However, Paulette rarely completely held a movie together with a consistent performance unless it was comedy. In Reap the Wild Wind she looks like Scarlet, but it just isn't there. She would have needed a lot of coaching to pull off Scarlett. I'd love to see more of her tests if they exist!
@irishinsight Good point! although a couple of times that British accent pops out and it's like Queen Elizabeth instead of Scarlett lol - but overall she was perfect :-)
Seriously, Paulette Goddard's reading with Jeffrey Lynn is so arousing, so steamy. That place in her voice that she hits that's all huffy ( 2:46 ) is what I consider the perfect manipulative Scarlett. No joke that Vivien Leigh was outstanding--that can't be said enough--but having Paulette Goddard in that role makes you think just what sort of star SHE might have been had she landed it in the end.
@anastaire33 Yes indeed, Clark Gable was handsome, but Leslie always had my attention,such a beautiful man .He , along with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable all died in their 50's .
Yes, Goddard is certainly interesting. I have even seen a test by Lucille Ball!!!! Leigh was just so beautiful and that tang of Brit accent adds so much to the aristocratic side of Scarlett.
Goddard and Lynn...I am sorry, but they both seem like country bumpkins. I don't go to the movies to see an epic movie like this with earthy people in it. Earthy=not as elegant. :P Howard may have seemed a little too old, but his acting was subtle and perfect.<3 Elegance. Goddard seems imperfect for the part. Her face...Her smile. Not Scarlett.
@plumgummistar Not that I care, but Scarlett was far closer to being a country bumpkin than an aristocrat. She was written to be more like her white trash Irish daddy than her poised, French mother. And "eleagnt"? Lol! She was never elegant. Duh. That's what made her an outcast among her peers and acquaintances. There's nothing elegant about continuously throwing yourself at engaged/married men that don't want you. Kind of pathetic really. You'd think she could take a hint.
@Pixxerz Not that you care. lol...But I am talking about how the actors portrayed the characters. That's what we r talking about I thought...Right? I did not mention the book specifically.
And ya know, not that I care or anything lol But some ppl related to Scarlette despite her MANY faults. And not that I am arguing with u wether she was elegant or not in the book (cuz yeah, again that's wasn't what I was talking about) but people can carry themselves and look elegant, and still be flawed.
@plumgummistar I don't care about Gone With the Wind as a story, in general. I do care that the book is unabashedly racist and misogynistic and that it tries to persuade its readers into thinking this way as well. You say you weren't talking about the characters in the book, but the characters as they were portrayed in the movie. Umm...hello? The movie was based on the book! "some ppl related to Scarlette despite her MANY faults." Like who? Rich, racist whores? I don't care about that either.
@Pixxerz Oh I see what's going on here now. You weren't argueing with me about the actors at all...You were just looking for any oppurtunity to bash the characters of the book for being racist etc. (which I totally don't disagree with you...the time you know. and the people. no doubt...racist.) But see...I was talking to the two highest rated comments about the acting. We were comparing the acting...Who would have portrayed it better etc. So yeah. Has nothing to do with all that. Bye. lol
@Pixxerz Umm...excuse you racist idiot, but your comments are totally uncalled for.
Yes, the characters were racist, cause they were a products of their time period. The book wouldn't have been at all realistic if the characters weren't kinda racist. DUH!!! Still, Scarlet was NOT white trash, she was a rich aristocrat, and Vivien was the best Scarlet ever!
@raspberrymaven What a cop out. Of course no one's expecting pro-confederate characters to not be at least somewhat racist . But Mitchell's racism was too frequent and obvious. She goes out of her way to have her characters brutally murder black people for crimes as harmless as getting a little cheeky with whites. The N word is thrown around so casually that it's sickening and Scarlett frequently resorts to animal references when speaking of her slaves. Worst of all, the KKK is idealized.
@raspberrymaven "Scarlet was NOT white trash, she was a rich aristocrat, and Vivien was the best Scarlet ever!" Scarlett's mother was an aristocrat. Her father was a poor Irish immigrant and could never have integrated into an old money southern society that easily. And Vivien Leigh, best Scarlett? Puhleeze! Carol Burnett was a better Scarlett than that twit and everyone knows it.
After seeing this clip, I cannot imagine anyone else in the role of O'Hara. She had such fire and downright descpicability (is that a word?). All the others were over-acting, but Leigh was completely natural. The role was her.
vivien leigh is just too beautiful and talented. As wonderful as Paulette Goddard may have been, she was tainted because of her relationship with Charlie Chaplin, and never really got the respect she was due. As for poor Leslie Howard, he was good looking enough but looked like a limp noodle next to the uber handsome and masculine Clark Gable.
I really can't see any of these girls having been Scarlett O'hara. Vivien had that role completely, and I don't think anyone else had the character and spirit like she did. The very thought of casting any blonde as Scarlett- even with a wig- makes me laugh. The fact that Vivien was a British woman playing a Southern Belle makes her performance all the more phenomenal. Her accent sounds far better to me then any of the others. Light, but enough there to make it realistic and sweet to listen to.
Considering Leigh was a British actress, her accent is incredible. And for me, Goddard was great, but she didn't have that nasty edge to her that Leigh and Scarlett have.
Vivian Leigh was perfect. She had the right amount of bitchiness and girlish naivety about her. Plus the chemistry between her and Clark Gable was great. Tbh whoever would have played her, I think it would still have been a great movie!
Vivien Leigh was perfect as Scarlett, and saying that Paulette Goddard COULD have been as good is beside the point. Vivien brought Scarlett to life and the chemistry between Leigh and Gable onscreen was perfect. That's all there is to it.
There is a new book that just came out about the movie. it is called "Ghost of Gone With The Wind by Gene Arceri. I order mine on Amazom. Love that movie...
Goddard and Hayworth were the ones who got closer to the character's spirit, but none of them did it like Vivien Leigh. Vivien WAS Scarlett. That's it.
I cant believe what great difference was the chemistry between Vivien Leigh and Hattie Mcdaniel compared to all the others with Hattie. Its those small details that make a film as great and epic as Gone With The Wind.
Bette Davis should have had this part, hands down. I believe the opening lines of the book are "Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charms, as the Tarleton twins were". That's Davis, to a tee.
Of the choices here, I would have liked to have seen Goddard test with Hattie Mcdaniel to see what the chemistry would have been like.
Still a great movie and Leigh is wonderful, but I just think that Davis embodied a little more what the book described.
Personally I think Goddard was the WORST of the lot to test for the role:her mannerisms and accent were the exact opposite of the kind of woman she was auditioning for. She also wasn't physically attractive enough to pull off the role of Scarlett, who was supposed to be absolutely stunning and alluring in a scheming way that Leigh pulled off effortlessly. The only actress who could have performed better than Leigh was Davis. I do agree that Howard was a very poor choice for Ashley.
I wonder if there are other tests that Goddard made. I'd love to see them. I think she would have been great... definitely a Gable kind of woman. Jean Arthur? She must have been a red herring to keep the country guessing, or maybe make them react more favorably when a non american was cast? Also - I'm sorry but Leslie Howard was so unappealing one wonders why Scarlett was so obsessed with him... and De Havilland was so saccharin sweet - a performance that just doesn't hold up to time.
lol i just read a part in the book where the lady says i dont like the movie gone with the wind it makes slavery look like some big happy tea party lol
@cupcakexrider lol I hate how almost every historian and writer since the dawn of civilization practically dismissed and overlooked the slavery going on in their society. they made it look like some big happy tea party lol
The problem with Paulette Goddard is that she was too noticeablly street smart, mature and methodically seductive to connect with the naive, girlish aspects of Scarlett. Most people have this notion that Scarlett O'Hara was a sort of femme fatale in the book when this is simply not the case. In fact, she was very inexperienced sexually and seemed to care more about money than frolicking in the bedroom. She could best be described as a flirt, for lack of a better word.
That kissing scene with Paulette Goddard and Jeffrey Lynn - oh, I'm sold! It's so much better than the one in the movie! One thing I never understood about that scene though, when Ashley tells Scarlett she'll have to forget that day at Twelve Oaks - forget what? Nothing happened between them. He got slapped and married Melanie. lol!
@raspberrymaven I have watched the entire film. Many times in fact, and have unfortunately never been entirely impressed with Vivien's performance as Scarlett, or the idea of her as Scarlett general. I'm not knocking her as an actress. I simply feel that Paulette would have been much more convincing. She was clearly more vivacious, less awkward than Leigh. Her accent was ten times better. Nothing wrong with her appearance either. She looks very similar to how I would picture Scarlett to look.
I've seen the entire screen test that Goddard did, and I have lots of family from that part of the country, and believe me her accent was HORRIBLE, maybe the worst of anyone who auditioned for the role, with the exception of Jean Arthur. Also, Goddard's timing was way off in many scenes, and she had no chemistry with her leading man. Furthermore, if you read the book, Scarlett has GREEN eyes, like Leigh, and Paulette's were very blue.
@Babyhowdy233 If you mean by "that part of the country" the Southern United States, I come from a pretty old Georgia family myself and happen to think Leigh's accent wasn't much better than Leslie Howard's, which was unspeakably bad, if not nonexistent. Of course Paulette's wasn't perfect, but trust me, it was was by no means horrible. Vivien had blue eyes, and so did Paulette. Scarlett's eyes were not blue or blue-green, but emerald in color. So I guess neither fit the bill in that respect.
I don't know what y'all are smoking but Paulette Goddard - and I like her a lot - was no great actress and would never have been able to carry a huge role like Scarlett convincingly. (Or Blanche DuBois, for that matter. lol) She was a good light comedienne and a personlity with some acting skills, but check out Reap The Wild Wind for her Southern belle rouotine. She's no Vivien Leigh.
as for the role itself,katharine Hepburn actually would have been perfect,since she's such a versatile actress,she can do any role,and they wanted her originally,but she said "I dont have the sex appeal"
@asongforxx456 Funny, I always heard Selznick didn't even give her the opportunity to audition for the part because he found her so arrogant. Kind of lame, really.
i think the reason alot of us still say "Vivien Leigh was still perfect for the role" is becuase she DID the role,and if anyone had done it,we would be saying the same thing. at the time,there wasnt anything already to go off of,the movie wasnt made and there was no example of how it should be yet. also i think Carole Lombard would have been very good,becuase she can do the type of whiny,selfish,yet caring role very well.
@asongforxx456 True. If Vivien had never got the part, I don't think anyone would really know the difference, and we'd all be saying that no one other than whoever had been given the part could have done a better job. We'd also possibly be saying: "And thank God it didn't go to that British ninny, Vivien Leigh. Can you imagine?" Lol.
i think the reason alot of us still say "Vivien Leigh was still perfect for the role" is becuase she DID the role,and if anyone had done it,we would be saying the same thing. at the time,there wasnt anything already to go off of,the movie wasnt made and there was no example of how it should be yet.
I've watched these tests many times and I too would have liked to see Paulette Goddard in the role of Scarlett. Every time I think of lines like "You need to be kissed, and kissed often" I think Goddard, not Leigh. There were so many times during the movie that I thought Leigh's performance was just too unlikeable for a Rhett Butler type of character to maintain any lasting interest. Goddard could put on the charm, humor and sweetness one minute, then turn into a terror the next.
I agree that Paulette could've played the Scarlett role very well. Am I the only one who can hear Ashley and Scarlett with an English accent? yeah I know they were from England, still I really love their performances. Great movie
It's clear that Ms. Goddard would have been terrific and perhaps even earthier than the stunning Leigh. What's that old story about not appreciating what's already in your own backyard?
Interesting what might have been. I've always have loved Goddard--stunning and gifted-- although she had too few juicy roles, and no iconic ones.
@maxreger100 I don't think you realize what you're saying. Vivien Leigh actually won an oscar for this role. Paulette couldn't have because she wasn't likable enough. She made Scarlett seem like a nasty bitch.
@raspberrymaven I didn't mean to denigrate Ms. Leigh--she was wonderful. But I think Ms. Goddard could have done the role very well. What makes you think Leigh was more "likable" or innocent than Goddard? My only point was that Goddard would not have been miscast. And I do appreciate your comment, so I gave it a thumbs up!
@maxreger100 Goddard did have one role that was her biggest box office success..... She would always be "Kitty"!!!! One of the biggest hits of 1945.....
I hadn't realized how good Paulette Goddard was in these tests--this is the first time I've seen so many. She really was good, a worthy choice had not Selznick chosen Vivien Leigh. 1939, what a golden year in moviedom's golden era (*sigh*)
Paulette Goddard would have been as good as Vivien Leigh in the role, but she is the only actress here that can be said of. The Lana Turner and Susan Hayward tests are terrible. But WHY did Selznick prefer the aging Leslie Howard to the younger, better looking and more convincing Jeffrey Lynn? Ashley is meant to be about 21 at the start of the film, and the heart-throb of the county. Howard looked more like Ashley's father John Wilkes, especially with that awful marmalade coloured wig or dye
@rees276 i completely disagree with you in the fact that leslie howard was much better and more experienced then jeffrey lynn, and even though howard didn't want the part and he only accepted the part as if he did selznick offered for leslie the part of assistant producer in intermezzo which he made with ingrid bergman. howards natural hair colour is a bit darker than that, but if you READ THE BOOK his hair is basically blonde/marmaladeish. thankfully they didn't put a beard on him.
@rees276 also adding to what i have said, leslie's voice sounds much more better and convincing. and gone with the wind was such a big hit and it wouldn't have been the same without him and his experience. and selznick didn't even make howard try out for the part, he just knew howard was right and took him! now you must remember that howard was already 46 yrs old when he took the part, but he doesn't look that old except for a few smile wrinkles. howard was killed by nazis 4 years later :'(
@rees276 and even though he also wore a toupee and disliked the part he played, he was still amazing. never doubt leslie howards amazingness!!! and its not like making such a huge film like gone with the wind was really fun and non stress ful for the actors. they had lots of clashes with the directors, and the script was never completly done, and they went into so much trouble into making the movie there is no point in complaining. i apologise for my outburst as i am obsessed with gwtw
@rees276 and personally i find vivien leigh better and her voice is a bit better trained then paulette goddard even though they were both terrific actors. poor vivien leigh got bipolar disorder i do believe later in her life. :'( :'( and im not trying to put ur opinion down or anything its just my opinion from all the research i have done about gone with the wind! :)
@anastaire33 They were definitely the best two tested ...I think the comment made by someone else here, that Ms Goddard would have made an earthier Scarlett is absolutely right, though Vivien's incredible beauty and talent were equally effective. Im just grateful to see these fascinating screen tests and glimpses of how this great film might have turned out
sorry, but I disagree that paulette goddard would have been as good as vivien leigh was as scarlett. it's all subjective, and miss goddard was easily the first runner-up, judging by these screen tests. but vivien leigh brought an aristocratic delicacy and elegance that was missing in paulette goddard's performance. and whatever we think of the antebellum south, those people considered themselves aristocrats and their behavior extremely circumspect. [except about slavery, of course!]
@rees276 In all honesty...older men in that era were considered hot. Look at matinee idols at the turn of the last century....they were not 22..but more like 42.
@rees276 yes it does happen all the time. And for good reason.The legal age of consent (for certain scenes). Its easier with people that are well over 18. There is no law that says someone must be the exact age of the part they are playing. I have seen many 30 year olds that could easily pass for teens, and actually some teenagers that could easily pass for 30 something.
Paulette doesn't make Scarlett likable. Scarlett was 'hard' but in the books you see that she doesn't see herself this way. Paulette is much too calculatingly bitchy. Scarlett was calculating and bitchy yes, but not in such a malevolent way. She just feels she knows how things should be. With Leigh, Scarlett's unawareness of how awful she is makes her interesting and likable and forgivable. It brings out that inner monologue of the book you would miss otherwise. Paulette just doesn't have that.
@ScottTart My main qualm with the film is that I believe it was poorly acted, (save for the performances of Clark Gable and Hattie McDaniel), and just seems so sloppily slapped together. I don't understand its esteem, even by their era's standards. I think it has more to do with the magic surrounding the idea of Old Hollywood pairing with one of the greatest novels of all time than the actual film, itself. Nothing personal.
I'll alway think that Vivien Leigh.was picked as the best for this part. However, if one more year has passed, after the filming of San Francisco, with Calark Gable and Hedt Lemarr. I truly believe Hedy Lemarr would have hiven her a run for the role! She also was one beautiful woman! And had the power to place the same spell one males.. -HJ
I'll alway think that Vivien Leigh.was picked as the best for this part. However, if one more year has passed, after the filming of San Francisco, with Calark Gable and Hedt Lemarr. I truly believe Hedy Lemarr would have hiven her a run for the role! She also was one beautiful woman! And had the power to place the same spell one males.. -HJ
I love the choice of Vivien Leigh, no other person could have greatly played this role, Im afraid if Paulette Goodard played her it would be more of a silly comedy
Vivien was an adequate Scarlett at best. A bit too fragile and childish looking and glaringly English in character. Her performance was at times, laughably overdone and her accent needed a heck of a lot of work. Even Victor Fleming was exasperated by her inability to portray Scarlett's "bitchiness" well. Of course, Paulette wouldn't have been perfect either, but she certainly would have made a more convincing Scarlett. At least when coming from a literalist's perspective.
@lemonee86 Scarlet was not a bitch you idiot because she sacrificed everything for her family and friends and was a selfless person who put her family before herself.
@raspberrymaven Surely, you can't expect me to believe someone who can't even spell the main character's name correctly has even bothered to read the book? Had you read it, you'd know that Scarlett IS portrayed as being a bitch, and in a quite disturbingly positive manner. Her strength and inherent will to survive are the only admirable things about her. Without them, she'd be just another spoiled, narcissistic, villainous whore that all of today's cheesy teen soap operas are littered with.
Goddard was really something--very impressive, but Vivien Leigh's performance brought out the true nature of Scarlett, spoiled and willful! Plus, she was stunning!
This cast set a "Bench Mark" that Hollywood has be trying to duplicate for more than 70 years. I don't think they have a chance to beat this cast. Thank you for the post.
THE DREAMS OF MR MULDOON is now out on AMAZON KINDLE @2.99.The publishers said this book would make a great film.If you like The Wizard of Oz you will love THE DREAMS OF MR MULDOON.Best wishes.
there is something i don't understand of this casting, why would they even consider haeing lesser known actress-actors in the non-lead roles when they actualy could have-and ended up have, la creme de la creme ? ( leslie howard, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND!) those were pratically leading charchters playing not leading position for the very first time!
This is probably one of the worst movies ever. Regardless, I hope no one in Hollyweird gets a wild hair up their butt and decides to remake it. It would be fucking horrible and they would without a doubt ncorporate totally unrealistic, anti-racist scenes that aren't in the book like in that god-awful Cold Mountain movie in order to make it satiable for today's politically correct masses. You think Leigh's bad? Wait until they get that mildly retarded looking bitch from Twilight to play Scarlett!
This movie is so dated and bad and all of its actors, minus Hattie McDaniel, are quite awful at portraying their characters well. Olivia and Leslie looked like they were 40 years old. Clark Gable was perfect for Rhett appearance-wise, but he was an insecure prick who told Selznick he wouldn't be doing a Southern accent, which is very evident throughout the entire film with all the actors except the black ones.
@lpycb42 "but Vivien's face is unbeatable" In what instance? She was pretty to look at, sure, but she looks almost nothing like the character Mitchell constructed. Her face isn't square, it's heart shaped and possesses too-delicate features, her eyes are blue, not green, nor is her hair straight and black, it's very visibly brown and wavy.
@Meggielou902 you have to consider the times and the fact that it's not easy to find good actors that look exactly like characters from the book. Back then there weren't a lot of good young actors that were famous and could bring in the money. A lot of people watched movies because of which actors were in it. Anyway, I think Vivien was perfectly cast. If you don't agree then that's your thing, not mine. I do agree with you that I hope they don't remake it though. It'd be horrible today.
@lpycb42 The film version of Gone With The Wind would have been highly successful with or without an all-star cast. The freakish popularity of the book, alone, at the time would have ensured that much. The fact that Leigh was virtually unknown in America, (even though you and most others mistakenly assume that the film wouldn't have been successful or as successful without her) is proof of that.
@lpycb42 Of course there's no need being too picky. I simply have a hard time believing Selznick went all across the country searching for 'his' Scarlett and couldn't find one more fitting than Vivien Leigh. Same goes for Leslie Howard as Ashley - a role far more suitable for Jeffrey Lynn.
@lpycb42 As for your assertion that they needed leading actors and actresses in order to make the film a success, many commentators believed it would tank for lack of an American Scarlett. Selznick knew this was a possibility, yet it clearly didn't deter him from casting Leigh. It's doubtful anyone in America had even heard of her before Gone with the Wind.
@Meggielou902 I agree that Vivien was unknown, yes they took a risk. But the rest of the actors were relatively known though. I personally loved Leigh on the role. If you didn't, too bad, can't be undone.
@Meggielou902 Your def one of the few people that dislike it as it is still a firm favorite today and is always in the lists of 20 best movies of all time. It was made in 1939 so is pretty old but still stands the test of time because of the sweat, tears and hard work that went into it.. Vivien leigh and Clark Gable were perfect in their parts.
@AudreyH100 Appealing to argumentum ad populum is kind of lame don't you think? So I'm in the minority...so what? That doesn't make me wrong. I'm sure a lot of sweat and tears (and money) have gone into almost every film ever produced. I could care less that GWTW is considered one of the "20 best movies of all time" and has made the top of almost every "favorite movies" list of every nobody on Facebook. It's also earned a respectful place on a lot of "most overrated films" lists as well.
@AudreyH100 And no offense, but your simply repeating the same line of every other mindless, Leigh groupie isn't very convincing either. I honestly don't see how anyone can read the book and then come away from the film feeling that Leigh was "perfect". All else aside, it's obvious to anyone with the mentality of an eight year old that she was too maidenish for Scarlett. I'm not saying she didn't have talent, but hers was one better suited for playing English courtesans.
@Meggielou902 Vivian Leigh could play a southern belle better than even a woman from the south any day and she is nothing like what you're saying and she is my favorite actress and I want allow you to speak ill of her you stupid bitch.
@Meggielou902 I hate that: people make books into movies and all of the sudden - bam! All the characters suddenly become generic and flawless looking. Point in case: Henry Fonda became Pierre Bezuhov. >.< Or look at a majority of any of the Jane Eyre adaptions. Somehow people can't stand to see characters as human and compelling as the characters in the Novel. It's pathetic. But at least Vivien actually grasps something pretty basic about the Scarlett character. Or she would be a disaster.
@ScottTart My problem with Vivien lies more with her performance than her appearance. I just don't think she possessed the strength, fire or willfulness vital to her character. I'm not jumping on the Paulette Goddard bandwagon, (though I do feel she would have made a more compelling Scarlett). I think Vivien captured her more frivolous, flirtatious qualities better, but that's so one-dimensional and dull. Any Mary Sue can be a flirt.
does anyone know a really good Paulette goddard movie--cause she really impressed me in thi and i really wanna watch one of her movie-a comady or romance :)
@erinplaice, my favorite Goddard films are the excellent costume flick "Kitty" & 3 ensemble pieces, (the timeless) "The Women", (the overlooked) "Dramatic School" an entertaining comedy/drama in which Paulette plays a hateful bitch & (the forgotten) "So Proudly We Hail!". For the most part her film career was largely undistinguished. She was much more famous for her colorful personal life & large jewelry collection. A spunky, intelligent actress who rarely got vehicles worthy of her.
Andrea Leeds would have made a wonderful Melanie. I saw her in Stage Door before I even knew she auditioned for that part, and as soon as I saw her I thought "Melanie." However, Olivia de Havilland was fantastic.
Vivien Leigh was PERFECT for the part because nobody was as irritating. Paulette Goddard's tests were MUCH better and she would have been wonderful. But I don't think I would have ever liked Paulette so much if she played this part. I love Jean Arthur, but this wasn't for her. I also love Anne Shirley and she would have been great.
Mind you, I have nothing against Leigh personally. She was very pretty and a good actress as well as a sweet little Englishwoman from what I can gamer, but I think her winning the role of arguably the most adored heroine in literature was the result of sloppy miscasting, as well as Selznick being in a rush to complete the film. "That Hamilton Woman"? Perfect. Blanche DuBois? Maybe. Scarlett O'Hara? Too sweet, too fragile and doll-like, and ultimately, just too "cute". *ducks bullets*
Vivien Leigh was a good Scarlett, and as others have mentioned, she captured her flirty, kittenish charm well. But that wasn't the only aspect of her character, nor did it override the many others like her vivaciousness and her fiery temper, which I feel Leigh only portrayed adequately, even badly at times. I may cause a stir by veering from the herd here, but I, too, feel that Goddard would have done a much better job at portraying the very complex character of Scarlett O'Hara.
If you read the novel, it's amazing how Scarlett is described in the book.
The dark hair, slightly upturned nose, sparkly, cat like, green eyes, porcelain skin, pretty mouth and her French/Irish attitude and fiery disposition. While reading the book, one gets a vision of a character in their mind's eye, and Miss Leigh was born to play Scarlett, and she knew it. Paulette doesn't give the character the many facets Leigh does, like her spunk, beauty, charm or the childish brat to driven woman.
If you read the novel, it's amazing how Scarlett is described in the book.
The dark hair, slightly upturned nose, sparkly, cat like, green eyes, porcelain skin, pretty mouth and her French/Irish attitude and fiery disposition. While reading the book, one gets a vision of a character in their mind's eye, and Miss Leigh was born to play Scarlett, and she knew it. Paulette doesn't give the character the many facets Leigh does, like her spunk, beauty, charm or the childish brat to driven woman.
Vivien had an arrogance in the part of Scarlett I wasn't able to discern in all the other actresses. I think she played the part well.
verben03 3 weeks ago
It's a shame Leigh didn't land the role, but I though Olivia did an excellent job.
DareYouNotToClick1 3 weeks ago
@DareYouNotToClick1 ??????????
Em183 2 weeks ago in playlist More videos from LisaLaLisa92
Lana Turner as Scarlett? Bleh!
rabidrabbitshuggers 3 weeks ago
ALL the other actresses were HORRIBLE; thank God Vivien Leigh came to the rescue! The only one who was pretty enough for the part was Paulette Goddard, but she could not act at all.
TheSkylur44 1 month ago
@TheSkylur44 They were not horrible. They were simply all wrong for the part.
VASINGER 4 weeks ago
@VASINGER That is your opinion; mine is different. ALL the other actresses SUCKED. You have YOUR opinion; I have MINE.
TheSkylur44 4 weeks ago
@TheSkylur44 My personal opinion is that you're a fucking idiot.
Iluvanonymous 3 weeks ago
In another parallel universe, Lana Turner was chosen to play Scarlett and they're laughing at the suggestion of Vivien Leigh as Scarlett.
classyfilms 1 month ago
Vivien was so Obviously Scarlett! The interaction with her Mammy was so natural. It seemed as if she had been doing that routine with her mammy all her life...so like a little spoiled girl, tossing her hair impatiently and not caring for what her mammy has to say. She was So into her own world of looking pretty and making sure the ribbon would look nice in her hair, trying to impress Ashley. ...(you might say, "um..that's acting my friend") But Vivian was not acting when she WAS Scarlet.
MrShaun42088 1 month ago 2
Very, very interesting!!!! A precious part of our Hollywood history--
windstorm1000 1 month ago
Vivien Leight was the right choice. She was born to play that part. Even her appearance is spot on. If you read Scarlett O'Hara's description in the novel, it is a precise description of Vivien. Spooky, really.
eckleburg22 1 month ago
Vivien was born for the role of scarlett o'hara!! That feedle-de dee was the best! But Paulette was a second good choice too!!
edia05 1 month ago
Too bad Gene Eliza Tierney was still too young and unknown at the time.
northernoir 1 month ago
Vivien Leigh was meant to have the role of Scarlett!!
rosabaca21 1 month ago
I was nineteen in 1987 when I watched Gone With The Wind for the first time, and had no idea if I'd enjoy the film. I fell in love with Vivien Leigh as soon as she said "fiddle-dee-dee". A few minutes later I fell in love again, with Olivia de Havilland. It's still my favorite film.
RMR667 2 months ago 5
I don't know what you guys are talking about...Paulette Goddard has those "crazy" eyes that freak me out. Yes she did an AMAZING job, but not as well as Vivian who coined it as the snotty, conceited, and over-privileged brat. Paulette comes off as a bit too mature here, Vivian actually grows into a woman as the movie progresses.
labellavienna 2 months ago
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@5starscream Trolls and haters of old Hollywood need to buzz off. Go watch something with lots of explosions and vulgar language that keep up with your short attention span.
@Iluvanonymous Vivien Leigh was what we call "petite". That's something I'm sure you're not familiar with as you probably like big Amazon queens aka possible trannies & fat women.
raspberrymaven 2 months ago
When you see Vivien Leigh it's no contest and she rightly deserved the part. I'm amazed at the makeup transformation with Leslie Howard who was a little too old to play Ashley at the time. Clark Gable didn't want the part mostly because it was Scarlett's vehicle and he thought no one would notice him, but he was the immediate public choice to play Rhett.
finetoonanimation 3 months ago
Leslie Howard is so ugly, Vivien Leigh's acting is about as convincing as a doorknob and she has the body of an eleven year old boy. Paulette Goddard looks and sounds like a giant, middle-aged rooster. Nice slave though. Try harder next time, Hellznick.
Iluvanonymous 3 months ago
@Iluvanonymous and u try to be more optimistic next time.It seems that u are jealous
t25m 3 months ago
Jealous of what? Elaborate you retarded whore. :)
Iluvanonymous 3 months ago
Comment removed
raspberrymaven 2 months ago
@Iluvanonymous You cant be serious. Vivien Leigh is one of the most beautiful actresses to every grace the screen, and she could act circles around the others. Leslie Howard was older for the part, but he wasn't ugly. He just was miscast.
VASINGER 4 weeks ago
@VASINGER I never said a thing about her face, did I? It's beautiful, sure. Looks like a porcelain doll's. Too bad the very first words on the very first page of the damn book are: "Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful". It also says she was buxom and Leigh was nearly as waifish as Audrey Hepburn. Scarlett is supposed to be fiery, while Leigh put too much of herself into all of her roles which was basically just a weepy, flighty hopeless romantic. She made Scarlett look like a Mary Sue from Hell.
Iluvanonymous 3 weeks ago
@Iluvanonymous Ive seen pics of Vivian Leigh and she was no wear near as thin as Audrey Hepburn. She had a nice bosom! I never thought AH was attractive at all. I dont want to insult the woman, VL was prefect for Scarlett. She was firey. Her performance in GWTW was just great. I know you may not agree, but I cant imagine anyone else for that part. And BTW, Margaret Mitchell didnt think herself as beautiful. Thats why its in the book.
VASINGER 3 weeks ago
man that goddard chick was close...but will never match lee's look when she turns to give mammy the look of death lol.
cmoursler3 3 months ago
I'm really surprised Goddard didn't get the part.
bervy8 3 months ago
@bervy8 she was definitely one of the best, but I think there's something about Leigh's ability to channel a darker side that makes you want to both love and hate Scarlett. Like when she goes to Ashely's surprise party and everyone looks at her when she walks in (in that ridiculous red dress) - her cold look always makes me uncomfortable...she looked like the evil queen in Snow White
rubyred0039 2 months ago
Vivien Leigh and Leslie Howard were too goddamn British for this movie. End of discussion. Watch The Godfather. It's a true classic and nowhere near as overrated.
5starscream 3 months ago
@5starscream The Southern culture is much more closer to England than the rest of the country. I actually think they fit perfectly for the role. Clark Gable being a yankee from Ohio naturally could never have played Ashley. He had to play the part of a Southerner with ties to the north.
VASINGER 4 weeks ago
Damn, Clark Gable was hot!
valericool 3 months ago
Olivia de Havilland was perfect as Melanie. But Andrea Leeds looks a lot like her, or is it just me?
valericool 3 months ago
vivien leigh was a manic depressive and that helped break up her marriage to lawrence olivier but i think thats what gave her a hint of devilment in her role of scarlett in gone with the wind.
crickcrot 3 months ago
I think that if Vivien Leigh had not existed, or could not have played Scarlett at all for some reason, the best choice for the part would have been Rita Hayworth. Check out "The Loves Of Carmen" and you will understand why. As for Paulette, no doubt she was a good actress, but why the hell did she smile all the time? She was not in some comedy movie! Lucille Ball? Another great diva, but Scarlett wasn't exactly funny. To sum up: Vivien WAS the perfect choice, no doubt about it!
LadyTwentySeven 3 months ago
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LadyTwentySeven 3 months ago
well gosh, Paulette Goddard should've played mammy.
bluedahlia409 3 months ago
@bluedahlia409 LOL!
FlaxenHairedBeauty 3 months ago
Lucille Ball was also one of the actresses chosen to play Scarlett. Davis O. Selznick said she would've been perfect. I don't think she ever auditioned for the part, though.
travis7310 3 months ago
Vivien Leigh was incomparable as Scarlett. A classic performance. David Selznick considered Norma Shearer, Paulette Goddard, and an old flame Jean Arthur. Mrs. Selznick saw Edythe Marrener on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, and suggested her for Scarlett. Selznick brought Ms Marrener to Hollywood where she lost the part of Scarlett but reach super stardom as
Academy Award winning Susan Hayward
ToughXArmy69 3 months ago
I remember being nine and ten and being obsessed with Gone With the Wind, Olivia de Havilland. "OMGoodles OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND IS AWESOME!" Looking back on it, I was so right ^_^
Tootsy39 4 months ago
I agree with you Elias... Paulette was brilliant in that audition, maybe topping Vivien in the same scene. Viv was sometimes more an empress than a wealthy planter's daughter. However, Paulette rarely completely held a movie together with a consistent performance unless it was comedy. In Reap the Wild Wind she looks like Scarlet, but it just isn't there. She would have needed a lot of coaching to pull off Scarlett. I'd love to see more of her tests if they exist!
MostRemarkable1 4 months ago
@MostRemarkable1 Thats why Vivien was perfect, Scarlett thinks she is an empress lol
irishinsight 3 months ago
@irishinsight Good point! although a couple of times that British accent pops out and it's like Queen Elizabeth instead of Scarlett lol - but overall she was perfect :-)
MostRemarkable1 3 months ago
I bet whenever Paulette passed by a GWTW dvd in a rental store, she picked it up and threw it at a wall XD
hithr3000 4 months ago
Seriously, Paulette Goddard's reading with Jeffrey Lynn is so arousing, so steamy. That place in her voice that she hits that's all huffy ( 2:46 ) is what I consider the perfect manipulative Scarlett. No joke that Vivien Leigh was outstanding--that can't be said enough--but having Paulette Goddard in that role makes you think just what sort of star SHE might have been had she landed it in the end.
EliasHoweNash 4 months ago
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DameHollywood 5 months ago 7
@DameHollywood yes leslie howard is very handsome!! so sad that he was killed only when he was 50 :/
anastaire33 5 months ago
@anastaire33 Yes indeed, Clark Gable was handsome, but Leslie always had my attention,such a beautiful man .He , along with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable all died in their 50's .
DameHollywood 5 months ago
there's just something about Leslie Howard that is sooooo attractive!!!!
ClassicsWEREandARE 5 months ago
Yes, Goddard is certainly interesting. I have even seen a test by Lucille Ball!!!! Leigh was just so beautiful and that tang of Brit accent adds so much to the aristocratic side of Scarlett.
ploplisphilin 5 months ago
The book is vile and racist and every damn copy of it should be burned.
Pixxerz 5 months ago
goddard and the rest stink stink stink! lol what gosh awful acting wow. no one like leigh and the dreamcast!
hell0hkitty 5 months ago
Goddard and Lynn...I am sorry, but they both seem like country bumpkins. I don't go to the movies to see an epic movie like this with earthy people in it. Earthy=not as elegant. :P Howard may have seemed a little too old, but his acting was subtle and perfect.<3 Elegance. Goddard seems imperfect for the part. Her face...Her smile. Not Scarlett.
plumgummistar 6 months ago
@plumgummistar Not that I care, but Scarlett was far closer to being a country bumpkin than an aristocrat. She was written to be more like her white trash Irish daddy than her poised, French mother. And "eleagnt"? Lol! She was never elegant. Duh. That's what made her an outcast among her peers and acquaintances. There's nothing elegant about continuously throwing yourself at engaged/married men that don't want you. Kind of pathetic really. You'd think she could take a hint.
Pixxerz 5 months ago
@Pixxerz Not that you care. lol...But I am talking about how the actors portrayed the characters. That's what we r talking about I thought...Right? I did not mention the book specifically.
And ya know, not that I care or anything lol But some ppl related to Scarlette despite her MANY faults. And not that I am arguing with u wether she was elegant or not in the book (cuz yeah, again that's wasn't what I was talking about) but people can carry themselves and look elegant, and still be flawed.
plumgummistar 5 months ago
@plumgummistar I don't care about Gone With the Wind as a story, in general. I do care that the book is unabashedly racist and misogynistic and that it tries to persuade its readers into thinking this way as well. You say you weren't talking about the characters in the book, but the characters as they were portrayed in the movie. Umm...hello? The movie was based on the book! "some ppl related to Scarlette despite her MANY faults." Like who? Rich, racist whores? I don't care about that either.
Pixxerz 5 months ago
@Pixxerz Oh I see what's going on here now. You weren't argueing with me about the actors at all...You were just looking for any oppurtunity to bash the characters of the book for being racist etc. (which I totally don't disagree with you...the time you know. and the people. no doubt...racist.) But see...I was talking to the two highest rated comments about the acting. We were comparing the acting...Who would have portrayed it better etc. So yeah. Has nothing to do with all that. Bye. lol
plumgummistar 5 months ago
@Pixxerz Umm...excuse you racist idiot, but your comments are totally uncalled for.
Yes, the characters were racist, cause they were a products of their time period. The book wouldn't have been at all realistic if the characters weren't kinda racist. DUH!!! Still, Scarlet was NOT white trash, she was a rich aristocrat, and Vivien was the best Scarlet ever!
raspberrymaven 5 months ago
@raspberrymaven What a cop out. Of course no one's expecting pro-confederate characters to not be at least somewhat racist . But Mitchell's racism was too frequent and obvious. She goes out of her way to have her characters brutally murder black people for crimes as harmless as getting a little cheeky with whites. The N word is thrown around so casually that it's sickening and Scarlett frequently resorts to animal references when speaking of her slaves. Worst of all, the KKK is idealized.
Pixxerz 5 months ago
@raspberrymaven "Scarlet was NOT white trash, she was a rich aristocrat, and Vivien was the best Scarlet ever!" Scarlett's mother was an aristocrat. Her father was a poor Irish immigrant and could never have integrated into an old money southern society that easily. And Vivien Leigh, best Scarlett? Puhleeze! Carol Burnett was a better Scarlett than that twit and everyone knows it.
Pixxerz 5 months ago
After seeing this clip, I cannot imagine anyone else in the role of O'Hara. She had such fire and downright descpicability (is that a word?). All the others were over-acting, but Leigh was completely natural. The role was her.
lorrainewands 6 months ago 12
Paulette Goddard has almost the same face than Vivien Leigh !
tousamis1 6 months ago
vivien leigh is just too beautiful and talented. As wonderful as Paulette Goddard may have been, she was tainted because of her relationship with Charlie Chaplin, and never really got the respect she was due. As for poor Leslie Howard, he was good looking enough but looked like a limp noodle next to the uber handsome and masculine Clark Gable.
tamarexxe 6 months ago
I really can't see any of these girls having been Scarlett O'hara. Vivien had that role completely, and I don't think anyone else had the character and spirit like she did. The very thought of casting any blonde as Scarlett- even with a wig- makes me laugh. The fact that Vivien was a British woman playing a Southern Belle makes her performance all the more phenomenal. Her accent sounds far better to me then any of the others. Light, but enough there to make it realistic and sweet to listen to.
Charmedfan2010 6 months ago
great to see this, but what happened to the audio towards the end?
bg11215 6 months ago
Really great to see these other GWTW screen tests. Thanks.
any1gotamatch 6 months ago
Considering Leigh was a British actress, her accent is incredible. And for me, Goddard was great, but she didn't have that nasty edge to her that Leigh and Scarlett have.
Cemicool 6 months ago
besides Leigh If Ava Gardner had been in movies at the time she would have been a good choice as well
sara31tx 6 months ago
Vivian Leigh was perfect. She had the right amount of bitchiness and girlish naivety about her. Plus the chemistry between her and Clark Gable was great. Tbh whoever would have played her, I think it would still have been a great movie!
proudtobeasarahfan 7 months ago 9
I can't imagine anyone else in the role...Vivien Leigh IS Scarlett !! No other audition comes close!
in2ennui 7 months ago 2
Vivien Leigh was perfect as Scarlett, and saying that Paulette Goddard COULD have been as good is beside the point. Vivien brought Scarlett to life and the chemistry between Leigh and Gable onscreen was perfect. That's all there is to it.
SabrinaFairForever 7 months ago
There is a new book that just came out about the movie. it is called "Ghost of Gone With The Wind by Gene Arceri. I order mine on Amazom. Love that movie...
9847monkees 7 months ago
Goddamn, Goddard, stop smiling all of the damn time! You're not in one of Chaplin's films!
kamdan2011 7 months ago
Goddard and Hayworth were the ones who got closer to the character's spirit, but none of them did it like Vivien Leigh. Vivien WAS Scarlett. That's it.
LadyTwentySeven 7 months ago
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titanicpiano14 7 months ago
I cant believe what great difference was the chemistry between Vivien Leigh and Hattie Mcdaniel compared to all the others with Hattie. Its those small details that make a film as great and epic as Gone With The Wind.
thoserubyslippers 7 months ago 9
Bette Davis should have had this part, hands down. I believe the opening lines of the book are "Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charms, as the Tarleton twins were". That's Davis, to a tee.
Of the choices here, I would have liked to have seen Goddard test with Hattie Mcdaniel to see what the chemistry would have been like.
Still a great movie and Leigh is wonderful, but I just think that Davis embodied a little more what the book described.
BlackieGirl 7 months ago
Personally I think Goddard was the WORST of the lot to test for the role:her mannerisms and accent were the exact opposite of the kind of woman she was auditioning for. She also wasn't physically attractive enough to pull off the role of Scarlett, who was supposed to be absolutely stunning and alluring in a scheming way that Leigh pulled off effortlessly. The only actress who could have performed better than Leigh was Davis. I do agree that Howard was a very poor choice for Ashley.
Babyhowdy233 7 months ago
I wonder if there are other tests that Goddard made. I'd love to see them. I think she would have been great... definitely a Gable kind of woman. Jean Arthur? She must have been a red herring to keep the country guessing, or maybe make them react more favorably when a non american was cast? Also - I'm sorry but Leslie Howard was so unappealing one wonders why Scarlett was so obsessed with him... and De Havilland was so saccharin sweet - a performance that just doesn't hold up to time.
remarkable1122 7 months ago
8:43 I can't help but start drooling.....
OldSchoolFan87 8 months ago
Jean arthur auditioned for scarlett, she was HORRIBLE
Mirani2 8 months ago
lol i just read a part in the book where the lady says i dont like the movie gone with the wind it makes slavery look like some big happy tea party lol
cupcakexrider 8 months ago
@cupcakexrider lol I hate how almost every historian and writer since the dawn of civilization practically dismissed and overlooked the slavery going on in their society. they made it look like some big happy tea party lol
raspberrymaven 8 months ago
The problem with Paulette Goddard is that she was too noticeablly street smart, mature and methodically seductive to connect with the naive, girlish aspects of Scarlett. Most people have this notion that Scarlett O'Hara was a sort of femme fatale in the book when this is simply not the case. In fact, she was very inexperienced sexually and seemed to care more about money than frolicking in the bedroom. She could best be described as a flirt, for lack of a better word.
nikkivictoria428 8 months ago
Having said all that, I do think Vivien's accent needed a little tweaking, but she was otherwise perfect for Scarlett in my opinion.
nikkivictoria428 8 months ago
@nikkivictoria428
I totally agree. You summed it up perfectly!
Babyhowdy233 7 months ago
That kissing scene with Paulette Goddard and Jeffrey Lynn - oh, I'm sold! It's so much better than the one in the movie! One thing I never understood about that scene though, when Ashley tells Scarlett she'll have to forget that day at Twelve Oaks - forget what? Nothing happened between them. He got slapped and married Melanie. lol!
mintyb011 8 months ago 2
@mintyb011 That wasn't the best scene for Vivien or Leslie Howard in the film you should watch the whole movie next time.
raspberrymaven 8 months ago
@raspberrymaven I have watched the entire film. Many times in fact, and have unfortunately never been entirely impressed with Vivien's performance as Scarlett, or the idea of her as Scarlett general. I'm not knocking her as an actress. I simply feel that Paulette would have been much more convincing. She was clearly more vivacious, less awkward than Leigh. Her accent was ten times better. Nothing wrong with her appearance either. She looks very similar to how I would picture Scarlett to look.
mintyb011 8 months ago
@mintyb011 You do realize she won an Oscar for her part in this film, right? Goddard certainly couldn't have.
raspberrymaven 8 months ago
@raspberrymaven
I agree.
Babyhowdy233 7 months ago
@mintyb011
I've seen the entire screen test that Goddard did, and I have lots of family from that part of the country, and believe me her accent was HORRIBLE, maybe the worst of anyone who auditioned for the role, with the exception of Jean Arthur. Also, Goddard's timing was way off in many scenes, and she had no chemistry with her leading man. Furthermore, if you read the book, Scarlett has GREEN eyes, like Leigh, and Paulette's were very blue.
Babyhowdy233 7 months ago
@Babyhowdy233 If you mean by "that part of the country" the Southern United States, I come from a pretty old Georgia family myself and happen to think Leigh's accent wasn't much better than Leslie Howard's, which was unspeakably bad, if not nonexistent. Of course Paulette's wasn't perfect, but trust me, it was was by no means horrible. Vivien had blue eyes, and so did Paulette. Scarlett's eyes were not blue or blue-green, but emerald in color. So I guess neither fit the bill in that respect.
mintyb011 7 months ago
I don't know what y'all are smoking but Paulette Goddard - and I like her a lot - was no great actress and would never have been able to carry a huge role like Scarlett convincingly. (Or Blanche DuBois, for that matter. lol) She was a good light comedienne and a personlity with some acting skills, but check out Reap The Wild Wind for her Southern belle rouotine. She's no Vivien Leigh.
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darshi48 8 months ago
as for the role itself,katharine Hepburn actually would have been perfect,since she's such a versatile actress,she can do any role,and they wanted her originally,but she said "I dont have the sex appeal"
asongforxx456 8 months ago
@asongforxx456 Funny, I always heard Selznick didn't even give her the opportunity to audition for the part because he found her so arrogant. Kind of lame, really.
mintyb011 8 months ago
i think the reason alot of us still say "Vivien Leigh was still perfect for the role" is becuase she DID the role,and if anyone had done it,we would be saying the same thing. at the time,there wasnt anything already to go off of,the movie wasnt made and there was no example of how it should be yet. also i think Carole Lombard would have been very good,becuase she can do the type of whiny,selfish,yet caring role very well.
asongforxx456 8 months ago 2
@asongforxx456 True. If Vivien had never got the part, I don't think anyone would really know the difference, and we'd all be saying that no one other than whoever had been given the part could have done a better job. We'd also possibly be saying: "And thank God it didn't go to that British ninny, Vivien Leigh. Can you imagine?" Lol.
mintyb011 8 months ago
i think the reason alot of us still say "Vivien Leigh was still perfect for the role" is becuase she DID the role,and if anyone had done it,we would be saying the same thing. at the time,there wasnt anything already to go off of,the movie wasnt made and there was no example of how it should be yet.
asongforxx456 8 months ago
Paulette Goddard was very good.
Lana turner was not experienced enough at the time.
why do i picture Marlene dietrich doing the role? lol,i feel like she did that type of thing well.
asongforxx456 8 months ago
I've watched these tests many times and I too would have liked to see Paulette Goddard in the role of Scarlett. Every time I think of lines like "You need to be kissed, and kissed often" I think Goddard, not Leigh. There were so many times during the movie that I thought Leigh's performance was just too unlikeable for a Rhett Butler type of character to maintain any lasting interest. Goddard could put on the charm, humor and sweetness one minute, then turn into a terror the next.
rjworks13 9 months ago
@rjworks13 Well, Vivien Leigh was about as likable and sweet as you can get and Paulette was just not fit for this role. You clearly have no taste.
raspberrymaven 8 months ago
@raspberrymaven
I quite agree. Goddard was not fit for the role.
Babyhowdy233 7 months ago
I agree that Paulette could've played the Scarlett role very well. Am I the only one who can hear Ashley and Scarlett with an English accent? yeah I know they were from England, still I really love their performances. Great movie
dancingmckay 9 months ago
It's clear that Ms. Goddard would have been terrific and perhaps even earthier than the stunning Leigh. What's that old story about not appreciating what's already in your own backyard?
Interesting what might have been. I've always have loved Goddard--stunning and gifted-- although she had too few juicy roles, and no iconic ones.
maxreger100 9 months ago 13
@maxreger100 I don't think you realize what you're saying. Vivien Leigh actually won an oscar for this role. Paulette couldn't have because she wasn't likable enough. She made Scarlett seem like a nasty bitch.
raspberrymaven 8 months ago
@raspberrymaven I didn't mean to denigrate Ms. Leigh--she was wonderful. But I think Ms. Goddard could have done the role very well. What makes you think Leigh was more "likable" or innocent than Goddard? My only point was that Goddard would not have been miscast. And I do appreciate your comment, so I gave it a thumbs up!
ipmoic 8 months ago
@ipmoic Yes, she would have been seriously miscast as Scarlett. Didn't you hear me the first time??
raspberrymaven 8 months ago
@maxreger100 Goddard did have one role that was her biggest box office success..... She would always be "Kitty"!!!! One of the biggest hits of 1945.....
denzo30 7 months ago
@maxreger100
"Scarlett O'Hara's parents were French and Irish. Identically, Miss Leigh's parents are French and Irish."
sashaqueenie 5 months ago
I hadn't realized how good Paulette Goddard was in these tests--this is the first time I've seen so many. She really was good, a worthy choice had not Selznick chosen Vivien Leigh. 1939, what a golden year in moviedom's golden era (*sigh*)
Embosan 9 months ago
I wish Garbo had played Belle Watling - a Swede in Atlanta, how fancy!
Messylin 9 months ago
Wow! Paulette Goddard could have made a good Mammy too!
rlpniew 9 months ago 3
Paulette Goddard would have been as good as Vivien Leigh in the role, but she is the only actress here that can be said of. The Lana Turner and Susan Hayward tests are terrible. But WHY did Selznick prefer the aging Leslie Howard to the younger, better looking and more convincing Jeffrey Lynn? Ashley is meant to be about 21 at the start of the film, and the heart-throb of the county. Howard looked more like Ashley's father John Wilkes, especially with that awful marmalade coloured wig or dye
rees276 9 months ago 18
@rees276 i completely disagree with you in the fact that leslie howard was much better and more experienced then jeffrey lynn, and even though howard didn't want the part and he only accepted the part as if he did selznick offered for leslie the part of assistant producer in intermezzo which he made with ingrid bergman. howards natural hair colour is a bit darker than that, but if you READ THE BOOK his hair is basically blonde/marmaladeish. thankfully they didn't put a beard on him.
anastaire33 6 months ago
@rees276 also adding to what i have said, leslie's voice sounds much more better and convincing. and gone with the wind was such a big hit and it wouldn't have been the same without him and his experience. and selznick didn't even make howard try out for the part, he just knew howard was right and took him! now you must remember that howard was already 46 yrs old when he took the part, but he doesn't look that old except for a few smile wrinkles. howard was killed by nazis 4 years later :'(
anastaire33 6 months ago
@rees276 and even though he also wore a toupee and disliked the part he played, he was still amazing. never doubt leslie howards amazingness!!! and its not like making such a huge film like gone with the wind was really fun and non stress ful for the actors. they had lots of clashes with the directors, and the script was never completly done, and they went into so much trouble into making the movie there is no point in complaining. i apologise for my outburst as i am obsessed with gwtw
anastaire33 6 months ago
@rees276 and personally i find vivien leigh better and her voice is a bit better trained then paulette goddard even though they were both terrific actors. poor vivien leigh got bipolar disorder i do believe later in her life. :'( :'( and im not trying to put ur opinion down or anything its just my opinion from all the research i have done about gone with the wind! :)
anastaire33 6 months ago
@anastaire33 They were definitely the best two tested ...I think the comment made by someone else here, that Ms Goddard would have made an earthier Scarlett is absolutely right, though Vivien's incredible beauty and talent were equally effective. Im just grateful to see these fascinating screen tests and glimpses of how this great film might have turned out
rees276 6 months ago
@rees276
sorry, but I disagree that paulette goddard would have been as good as vivien leigh was as scarlett. it's all subjective, and miss goddard was easily the first runner-up, judging by these screen tests. but vivien leigh brought an aristocratic delicacy and elegance that was missing in paulette goddard's performance. and whatever we think of the antebellum south, those people considered themselves aristocrats and their behavior extremely circumspect. [except about slavery, of course!]
moiraregis 6 months ago
@rees276 "Leslie Howward with orange hair
fruitistic 6 months ago
@rees276 In all honesty...older men in that era were considered hot. Look at matinee idols at the turn of the last century....they were not 22..but more like 42.
MPL029 3 months ago
@MPL029 True. Even in the late 70s GREASE had a cast of 30-somethings playing high school kids. That would never happen today.
rees276 3 months ago
@rees276 yes it does happen all the time. And for good reason.The legal age of consent (for certain scenes). Its easier with people that are well over 18. There is no law that says someone must be the exact age of the part they are playing. I have seen many 30 year olds that could easily pass for teens, and actually some teenagers that could easily pass for 30 something.
VASINGER 4 weeks ago
Paulette doesn't make Scarlett likable. Scarlett was 'hard' but in the books you see that she doesn't see herself this way. Paulette is much too calculatingly bitchy. Scarlett was calculating and bitchy yes, but not in such a malevolent way. She just feels she knows how things should be. With Leigh, Scarlett's unawareness of how awful she is makes her interesting and likable and forgivable. It brings out that inner monologue of the book you would miss otherwise. Paulette just doesn't have that.
ScottTart 9 months ago 4
@ScottTart My main qualm with the film is that I believe it was poorly acted, (save for the performances of Clark Gable and Hattie McDaniel), and just seems so sloppily slapped together. I don't understand its esteem, even by their era's standards. I think it has more to do with the magic surrounding the idea of Old Hollywood pairing with one of the greatest novels of all time than the actual film, itself. Nothing personal.
Meggielou902 9 months ago
I'll alway think that Vivien Leigh.was picked as the best for this part. However, if one more year has passed, after the filming of San Francisco, with Calark Gable and Hedt Lemarr. I truly believe Hedy Lemarr would have hiven her a run for the role! She also was one beautiful woman! And had the power to place the same spell one males.. -HJ
hjluck 9 months ago
I'll alway think that Vivien Leigh.was picked as the best for this part. However, if one more year has passed, after the filming of San Francisco, with Calark Gable and Hedt Lemarr. I truly believe Hedy Lemarr would have hiven her a run for the role! She also was one beautiful woman! And had the power to place the same spell one males.. -HJ
hjluck 9 months ago
Oh and to all the people giving thumbs up to the Goodard lovers, go fuck yourselve.
raspberrymaven 10 months ago
I love the choice of Vivien Leigh, no other person could have greatly played this role, Im afraid if Paulette Goodard played her it would be more of a silly comedy
vivienleigh1097 10 months ago
Vivien Leigh was born to do Scarlett O Hara, no one else would have done it better.
sarah1981100 10 months ago
it was nice seeing francis fuller,i only remember her from ( homebodies) when she was older
nightstalkerck 10 months ago
Vivien was an adequate Scarlett at best. A bit too fragile and childish looking and glaringly English in character. Her performance was at times, laughably overdone and her accent needed a heck of a lot of work. Even Victor Fleming was exasperated by her inability to portray Scarlett's "bitchiness" well. Of course, Paulette wouldn't have been perfect either, but she certainly would have made a more convincing Scarlett. At least when coming from a literalist's perspective.
lemonee86 10 months ago
@lemonee86 Scarlet was not a bitch you idiot because she sacrificed everything for her family and friends and was a selfless person who put her family before herself.
raspberrymaven 10 months ago
@raspberrymaven Surely, you can't expect me to believe someone who can't even spell the main character's name correctly has even bothered to read the book? Had you read it, you'd know that Scarlett IS portrayed as being a bitch, and in a quite disturbingly positive manner. Her strength and inherent will to survive are the only admirable things about her. Without them, she'd be just another spoiled, narcissistic, villainous whore that all of today's cheesy teen soap operas are littered with.
lemonee86 9 months ago
@lemonee86 Your an idiot.
raspberrymaven 9 months ago
Goddard was really something--very impressive, but Vivien Leigh's performance brought out the true nature of Scarlett, spoiled and willful! Plus, she was stunning!
50Violetta 10 months ago 2
This cast set a "Bench Mark" that Hollywood has be trying to duplicate for more than 70 years. I don't think they have a chance to beat this cast. Thank you for the post.
Northtide 10 months ago
THE DREAMS OF MR MULDOON is now out on AMAZON KINDLE @2.99.The publishers said this book would make a great film.If you like The Wizard of Oz you will love THE DREAMS OF MR MULDOON.Best wishes.
MrWhiteknight7 10 months ago
there is something i don't understand of this casting, why would they even consider haeing lesser known actress-actors in the non-lead roles when they actualy could have-and ended up have, la creme de la creme ? ( leslie howard, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND!) those were pratically leading charchters playing not leading position for the very first time!
claudja777 10 months ago
This is probably one of the worst movies ever. Regardless, I hope no one in Hollyweird gets a wild hair up their butt and decides to remake it. It would be fucking horrible and they would without a doubt ncorporate totally unrealistic, anti-racist scenes that aren't in the book like in that god-awful Cold Mountain movie in order to make it satiable for today's politically correct masses. You think Leigh's bad? Wait until they get that mildly retarded looking bitch from Twilight to play Scarlett!
Meggielou902 10 months ago
This movie is so dated and bad and all of its actors, minus Hattie McDaniel, are quite awful at portraying their characters well. Olivia and Leslie looked like they were 40 years old. Clark Gable was perfect for Rhett appearance-wise, but he was an insecure prick who told Selznick he wouldn't be doing a Southern accent, which is very evident throughout the entire film with all the actors except the black ones.
Meggielou902 10 months ago
Paulette would've also been a great Scarlett, but Vivien's face is unbeatable!
lpycb42 10 months ago
@lpycb42 "but Vivien's face is unbeatable" In what instance? She was pretty to look at, sure, but she looks almost nothing like the character Mitchell constructed. Her face isn't square, it's heart shaped and possesses too-delicate features, her eyes are blue, not green, nor is her hair straight and black, it's very visibly brown and wavy.
Born to play Scarlett my ass.
Meggielou902 10 months ago 2
@Meggielou902 you have to consider the times and the fact that it's not easy to find good actors that look exactly like characters from the book. Back then there weren't a lot of good young actors that were famous and could bring in the money. A lot of people watched movies because of which actors were in it. Anyway, I think Vivien was perfectly cast. If you don't agree then that's your thing, not mine. I do agree with you that I hope they don't remake it though. It'd be horrible today.
lpycb42 10 months ago
@lpycb42 The film version of Gone With The Wind would have been highly successful with or without an all-star cast. The freakish popularity of the book, alone, at the time would have ensured that much. The fact that Leigh was virtually unknown in America, (even though you and most others mistakenly assume that the film wouldn't have been successful or as successful without her) is proof of that.
lemonee86 10 months ago
@lpycb42 Of course there's no need being too picky. I simply have a hard time believing Selznick went all across the country searching for 'his' Scarlett and couldn't find one more fitting than Vivien Leigh. Same goes for Leslie Howard as Ashley - a role far more suitable for Jeffrey Lynn.
Meggielou902 10 months ago
@lpycb42 As for your assertion that they needed leading actors and actresses in order to make the film a success, many commentators believed it would tank for lack of an American Scarlett. Selznick knew this was a possibility, yet it clearly didn't deter him from casting Leigh. It's doubtful anyone in America had even heard of her before Gone with the Wind.
Meggielou902 10 months ago
@Meggielou902 I agree that Vivien was unknown, yes they took a risk. But the rest of the actors were relatively known though. I personally loved Leigh on the role. If you didn't, too bad, can't be undone.
lpycb42 10 months ago 3
@Meggielou902 Your def one of the few people that dislike it as it is still a firm favorite today and is always in the lists of 20 best movies of all time. It was made in 1939 so is pretty old but still stands the test of time because of the sweat, tears and hard work that went into it.. Vivien leigh and Clark Gable were perfect in their parts.
AudreyH100 10 months ago
@AudreyH100 Appealing to argumentum ad populum is kind of lame don't you think? So I'm in the minority...so what? That doesn't make me wrong. I'm sure a lot of sweat and tears (and money) have gone into almost every film ever produced. I could care less that GWTW is considered one of the "20 best movies of all time" and has made the top of almost every "favorite movies" list of every nobody on Facebook. It's also earned a respectful place on a lot of "most overrated films" lists as well.
Meggielou902 10 months ago
@AudreyH100 And no offense, but your simply repeating the same line of every other mindless, Leigh groupie isn't very convincing either. I honestly don't see how anyone can read the book and then come away from the film feeling that Leigh was "perfect". All else aside, it's obvious to anyone with the mentality of an eight year old that she was too maidenish for Scarlett. I'm not saying she didn't have talent, but hers was one better suited for playing English courtesans.
Meggielou902 10 months ago 3
@Meggielou902 Vivian Leigh could play a southern belle better than even a woman from the south any day and she is nothing like what you're saying and she is my favorite actress and I want allow you to speak ill of her you stupid bitch.
raspberrymaven 10 months ago
@raspberrymaven Does a rant as illiterate and stupid as yours even deserve a response? LOL! I think not..
Meggielou902 9 months ago
@Meggielou902 I hate that: people make books into movies and all of the sudden - bam! All the characters suddenly become generic and flawless looking. Point in case: Henry Fonda became Pierre Bezuhov. >.< Or look at a majority of any of the Jane Eyre adaptions. Somehow people can't stand to see characters as human and compelling as the characters in the Novel. It's pathetic. But at least Vivien actually grasps something pretty basic about the Scarlett character. Or she would be a disaster.
ScottTart 9 months ago
@ScottTart My problem with Vivien lies more with her performance than her appearance. I just don't think she possessed the strength, fire or willfulness vital to her character. I'm not jumping on the Paulette Goddard bandwagon, (though I do feel she would have made a more compelling Scarlett). I think Vivien captured her more frivolous, flirtatious qualities better, but that's so one-dimensional and dull. Any Mary Sue can be a flirt.
Meggielou902 9 months ago
does anyone know a really good Paulette goddard movie--cause she really impressed me in thi and i really wanna watch one of her movie-a comady or romance :)
erinplaice 11 months ago
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ThorSmith 9 months ago
@erinplaice, my favorite Goddard films are the excellent costume flick "Kitty" & 3 ensemble pieces, (the timeless) "The Women", (the overlooked) "Dramatic School" an entertaining comedy/drama in which Paulette plays a hateful bitch & (the forgotten) "So Proudly We Hail!". For the most part her film career was largely undistinguished. She was much more famous for her colorful personal life & large jewelry collection. A spunky, intelligent actress who rarely got vehicles worthy of her.
ThorSmith 9 months ago
Andrea Leeds would have made a wonderful Melanie. I saw her in Stage Door before I even knew she auditioned for that part, and as soon as I saw her I thought "Melanie." However, Olivia de Havilland was fantastic.
LiLyHeArTsYoU 11 months ago
Vivien Leigh was PERFECT for the part because nobody was as irritating. Paulette Goddard's tests were MUCH better and she would have been wonderful. But I don't think I would have ever liked Paulette so much if she played this part. I love Jean Arthur, but this wasn't for her. I also love Anne Shirley and she would have been great.
BetsyBooth22 11 months ago
Mind you, I have nothing against Leigh personally. She was very pretty and a good actress as well as a sweet little Englishwoman from what I can gamer, but I think her winning the role of arguably the most adored heroine in literature was the result of sloppy miscasting, as well as Selznick being in a rush to complete the film. "That Hamilton Woman"? Perfect. Blanche DuBois? Maybe. Scarlett O'Hara? Too sweet, too fragile and doll-like, and ultimately, just too "cute". *ducks bullets*
susantyndall45 11 months ago
Vivien Leigh was a good Scarlett, and as others have mentioned, she captured her flirty, kittenish charm well. But that wasn't the only aspect of her character, nor did it override the many others like her vivaciousness and her fiery temper, which I feel Leigh only portrayed adequately, even badly at times. I may cause a stir by veering from the herd here, but I, too, feel that Goddard would have done a much better job at portraying the very complex character of Scarlett O'Hara.
susantyndall45 11 months ago
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susantyndall45 11 months ago
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susantyndall45 11 months ago
Vivien Leigh is Scarlet O'Hara
UndercoverCracker 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
If you read the novel, it's amazing how Scarlett is described in the book.
The dark hair, slightly upturned nose, sparkly, cat like, green eyes, porcelain skin, pretty mouth and her French/Irish attitude and fiery disposition. While reading the book, one gets a vision of a character in their mind's eye, and Miss Leigh was born to play Scarlett, and she knew it. Paulette doesn't give the character the many facets Leigh does, like her spunk, beauty, charm or the childish brat to driven woman.
TheAlysheba 11 months ago
If you read the novel, it's amazing how Scarlett is described in the book.
The dark hair, slightly upturned nose, sparkly, cat like, green eyes, porcelain skin, pretty mouth and her French/Irish attitude and fiery disposition. While reading the book, one gets a vision of a character in their mind's eye, and Miss Leigh was born to play Scarlett, and she knew it. Paulette doesn't give the character the many facets Leigh does, like her spunk, beauty, charm or the childish brat to driven woman.
TheAlysheba 11 months ago
@TheAlysheba totally agree!!!! Paulette doesn't have that youthfulness or charm.
Nicollie1062 11 months ago