An Absolute Legend Turns 100 Today

[Alex Murphy]

Olivia de Havilland

It’s a shame that we don’t spend more time celebrating great stars when they’re still alive. Once they slip into retirement they rarely get the appreciative press they deserve. With that in mind, we raise a hearty cheer for the 100th birthday — on Friday — of the mighty Olivia De Havilland. She now lives in Paris and, as midnight comes in that city, we raise an enthusiastic cheer.

She is surely the only remaining A-list movie star (as they didn’t say then) from the pre-war era. Kirk Douglas is 99, but he didn’t register properly until the late 1940s. Up until three years ago we had Joan Fontaine, Olivia’s slightly younger sister, who then died at the age of 96. The two women carried on a feud throughout their careers that still baffles movie buffs.

DeHavilland, born in Tokyo to British parents, first made a mark as Hermia in Max Reinhardt’s magical (what else?) production and film of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Then came a period sparring with Errol Flynn on ships, in castles and on prairies. Oddly, despite winning two Oscars, she will probably be best remembered for a supporting role. See if you can work out which.

Happy birthday, Maid Marian.

10 great Olivia De Havilland performances for her 100th birthday

 

[Jochimus]

Easily one of my favorite actresses of Hollywood's golden age. I'm still kicking myself for not staying up last night to catch "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on TCM.

 

[Abudefduf]

I didn't even know she was still alive and I didn't know Fontaine was her sister. lol
I still haven't seen some of the movies listed in that article but so far, my favorite performance of hers has been in The Heiress. Kind of a shame that she's mostly only remembered for her relatively small role in Gone with the Wind.