Vivien Leigh As "Scarlett O'Hara" AUTHOR APPROVES CHOICE

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 37, 24 February 1939, Page 14

Vivien Leigh As "Scarlett O'Hara" AUTHOR APPROVES CHOICE

EFINITE ehoiee of Vivien Leigh for the role ° of Scarlett O’Hara in ‘Gone With the Wind’’ confirms the rumour published in the ‘‘Record’’?’ a week or so back, and ends the longest and costliest star-search in Hollywood history. Already the picture has cost thousands of dollars before a Single scene has gone before the cameras,

Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone With the Wind," has approved David ©. Selznick’s choice of English actress Vivien Leigh. "Ym so glad it’s all: settled," said Miss Mitchell. "Miss Leigh looks as if she has Spirit and intelligence, and she’s French and Irish, like Scarlett was." Miss Leigh herself is still a trifle bewildered by the honour thrust upon her. She was in America on holiday when George Cukor, who will direct the picture, saw her in a Screen test-and the two-year search was ended. Producer Selznick says he has kept to his | original purpose "to emmnneteessmenes nts ene oon

cast a girl who was not identified in the minds of the public with other roles, and who was a physical counterpart of the original Scarlett, as described in ‘Gone With the Wind’. Vivien Leigh is five feet three, weighs 103Ib., has green eyes, brown: hair with a touch of red, and a pointed chin, As an actress she should easily be able to make the . grade. Although she has played nothing previously like the role of Scarlett, her experience in each of her previous British films should contribute something to the composite characterisation-the aristocratic dignity of "Fire Over England," the "gamin" touch of "St, Martin’s Lane," the provocative philandering of "A Yank at Oxford," and the spirit and assurance of "Storm in a Teacup" and "Dark Journey," Opposite her will appear Clark Gable as Rhett Butler; Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes; and Olivia de Havilland as Melanie.