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GWTW Dolls

ON PORTRAYING MELANIE WILKES BY OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND

"It seems to me that the most appropriate way to start this is with the traditional ‘Once upon a time...’ for the experience of working on GWTW -- and my role as Melanie in it -- has, in retrospect, almost a make-believe quality. Days of excitement, days of worry, days of study, study and work -- and now the picture is finished. The curtain rings down for the players -- as it rises for the motion picture audiences.

‘Once upon a time’ -- it seems an age ago, now, that I sat down to read a novel by Margaret Mitchell. And found myself caught by the wonderful magic of a word picture that made a by-gone day come to life. At once, too, I was drawn by the gentle strength of Melanie, a quality readily appreciated by millions of others who became, almost overnight, GWTW fans. And seeing Melanie in the light of a screen role, I realized what an inspiring character she would be to re-create for the motion picture. All this, of course, without any real notion that I might have the chance to play Melanie.

But there was another day when I read Melanie’s lines to Mr. David O. Selznick in his office. I don’t recall exactly what he said when I was through -- it might have been, ‘You’re hired,’ except that it probably was nothing so prosaic. All I know is that I felt great joy and gratitude and, of course, excitement. It was then, and I still think so, the most fortunate day for me of my career as an actress.

But excitement has a way of wearing off, and when it did subside, I found grave doubt in my mind. GWTW was a classic of our time; could I give the full, faithful portrayal that was essential. It seemed to me on the day I started on the picture, just as I feel today, that here was a book to challenge and draw out the very test that was in everyone connected with the filming of it. It was at once apparent that Mr. Selznick felt exactly the same way, and so, too, I learned did Mr. Fleming, the director, Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard -- everyone driven by an overwhelming desire to do the best possible work.

In fact, without this singleness of purpose, I doubt if anyone would have attempted what turned out to be a physical task that was tremendous. Craftsmen outdid themselves to achieve background settings and an atmosphere so perfect that we of the cast felt we were really living in the period.

I don’t think it is difficult to understand this driving urge to bring a written page to life with its full value and meaning. And, as would any other actress given the responsibility of Melanie’s role, I hoped I should be able to bring Melly to the screen in every gesture and syllable.

Melanie was the most difficult role I’ve ever had to play -- but, too, the most interesting. A girl who typifies the spirit, almost the heart of the South of that by-gone day, Melanie nevertheless was full of surprises. She did things at unexpected times -- or better, did the unexpected at times.

On the evening, for instance, when Ashley comes home supported by Rhett Butler, and Butler spins a story that they’re all drunk, Melly quite suddenly displays a fine courage and control completely lacking in Scarlett for the moment. With Ashley being hurt, it is the soft-spoken, gentle Melanie who takes charge -- she was the one person who functioned, and her self-control, intelligence and poise, yes and surprising ingenuity -- saved her husband, Rhett Butler and Dr. Meade from great disaster.

I think this scene, as much as any other, shows the important facts of Melanie’s character -- the facts so often hidden. It was not easy to play -- but then neither were any of Melly’s scenes, for so much was at stake. And if my hope has been realized, if the Melanie of the motion picture emerges a true and faithful portrait, I acknowledge gratefully that the fine understanding of Mr. Selznick and the great patience and care of Mr. Fleming have a great deal to do with it.

Looking back on those months when we made GWTW, it is hard to realize that the tasks were, at least, completed -- that I am no longer playing Melanie, hearing Vivien Leigh be Scarlett as only she could be Scarlett, laughing with gay, irrepressible Clark Gable, or enjoying some quiet, good humored remark by Leslie Howard. It was an experience never to be forgotten, the making of GWTW, and truthfully, I came to understand much through my part in it."