Vivien Leigh

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Vivien Leigh gained international fame at twenty-six when she secured the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind, outshining many Hollywood stars. Her remarkable career included standout performances in A Streetcar Named Desire, Lady Macbeth, and Sabina in The Skin of Our Teeth. Despite numerous biographies, many have been inaccurate or incomplete. Hugo Vickers approaches Leigh's story with depth, providing thorough research akin to his previous works on Cecil Beaton and Gladys, Duchess of Marlborough. He uncovers new insights into her family background, thanks to previously unavailable documents from her daughter, illuminating the environment in which Leigh was raised. Vickers chronicles her relationship with Leigh Holman, detailing their engagement, marriage, and eventual divorce, while highlighting their enduring friendship through letters exchanged over decades. He also utilizes the Oswald Frewen diaries, shedding light on her elopement with Laurence Olivier and their shared experiences. Vickers portrays Leigh not merely as a film star but as a person, exploring her contributions to English theatre in the 1940s and 1950s. The book also delves into her tumultuous marriage to Olivier, marked by health struggles. Through conversations with her friend John Merivale, Vickers reveals how Leigh rebuilt her life post-divorce, presenting her as a more authentic and intelligent figure, a resilient actress facing significant c