Silver Screen Magic with Olivia de Havilland

Legendary actress Olivia de Havilland passed away on July 26, 2020 at the age of 104. She was one of the last surviving stars of the Gold Age of Hollywood. She is remembered best for portraying Melanie Hamilton in the film “Gone With the Wind."

Director Michael Curtiz directed the 1935 American swashbuckler film “Captain Blood." The film starred Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, and Ross Alexander. The film was based on the 1922 novel of the same name by Rafael Sabatini.

The storyline is set in the 1600s; Dr. Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) is accused of treason by King James II. He’s sold into slavery and shipped off to the Caribbean islands. Before he leaves, he meets Arabella Bishop (Olivia de Havilland), who defends him against his accusers.

Director Victor Fleming directed the 1939 American epic historical romance film “Gone With the Wind." The film was adapted from the 1936 novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell. The film starred Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, and others.

The storyline is set in the American South against the backdrop of the American Civil War and the Reconstruction Era. The film follows the story of Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh), the strong-willed daughter of Georgia plantation owner Gerald O'Hara (Thomas Mitchell), and follows her romantic pursuit of Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), who marries his cousin, Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland). Scarlett later married Rhett Butler (Clark Gable).

Director Mitchell Leisen directed the 1941 American romantic drama film “Hold Back the Dawn." It starred Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland, Paulette Goddard, Victor Francen, and others. The movie was adapted from the 1940 novel of the same name by Ketti Frings.

The storyline follows Emmy Brown, a gullible schoolteacher (Olivia de Havilland), who is conned into marriage with Georges Iscovescu (Charles Boyer), a Romanian gigolo who wants to marry for American citizenship.

Director Robert Aldrich directed the 1964 American psychological horror thriller "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte." The film starred Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, and Mary Astor (pictured above).

The storyline follows a middle-aged Southern woman, Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis), who has been accused of murdering her fiancé. Since then, she has been haunted and keeping to her failing family mansion. To help her, Charlotte’s cousin Miriam Deering (Olivia de Havilland) moves in with her. Although it doesn’t take long for Charlotte to wonder if she can trust her cousin, who acts more like a villain than a friend in this psychological horror.

Director Henry Koster directed the 1952 American romantic mystery film “My Cousin Rachel." The film starred Olivia de Havilland, Richard Burton, Audrey Dalton, Ronald Squire, and others. The film is based on the 1951 novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier.

The storyline revolves around Rachel Sangalletti Ashley (Olivia de Havilland), a widow suspected of foul play in her husband’s death. The story follows Philip Ashley (Richard Burton), who investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding his cousin’s demise and becomes entangled in a complex relationship with Rachel.

Director Michael Curtiz directed the 1938 American epic swashbuckler film “The Adventures of Robin Hood." The film starred Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, and others.

The storyline revolves around Robin Hood (Errol Flynn), who rounds up his group of men and meets Lady Marian (Olivia de Havilland).

Director Anatole Litvak directed the 1948 American psychological drama film “The Snake Pit." The film starred Olivia de Havilland, Mark Stevens, Leo Genn, Celeste Holm, and others. It was based on the 1946 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Mary Jane Ward.

The storyline revolves around Virginia Cunningham (Olivia de Havilland), who arrives at a mental institution without any memory of how she got there.

Director Raoul Walsh directed the 1941 American romantic comedy film “The Strawberry Blonde." The film starred James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, Rita Hayworth, Alan Hale, Jack Carson, and George Tobias. The film is set in 1890s New York City, featuring songs of the era like “The Band Played On," “Bill Bailey," “Meet Me in Saint Louis," and “Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie."

The storyline involves Olivia de Havilland in a supporting role as nurse Amy Lind, a women’s rights advocate. Dentist Biff Grimes (James Cagney) has an intense rivalry with politician Hugo Barnstead (Jack Carson) over a beautiful strawberry blonde, Virginia Brush (Rita Hayworth).

Director Mitchell Leisen directed the 1946 American romantic drama film “To Each His Own." The film starred Olivia de Havilland, Mary Anderson, Roland Culver, and John Lund. Olivia de Havilland won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

The storyline revolves around American Jody Norris (Olivia de Havilland), who recalls when she fell in love with an army fighter pilot, Captain Bart Cosgrove / Gregory Pierson (John Lund), and got pregnant out of wedlock and gave her child up for adoption. Years later she tries to adopt her own child, who was raised by her best friend, Corinne Piersen (Mary Andersen).