Olivia De Havilland, Golden Age, Golden Actress

There are many fine articles written about Olivia de Havilland, you can find them easily on the Internet. This article is solely based from a fan's view and is an opportunity to thank her and let others thank her for her outstanding acting and the great role model she has represented.

Since acquiring TCM movie channel, I have seen many of Olivia de Havilland's movies. It has been interesting to watch her literally grow up on the movie screen. There has always been this captivating quality about Olivia. She not only had grace on the movie screen, she also had it in her everyday life. There's something about her smile, that could make even Mona Lisa jealous. Not only can she smile with her lips, but also with those beautiful eyes.

Playing the damsel in distress or the good girl treated shabbily was something that Olivia had down pat. Of course Gone with the Wind was a great movie, but I loved her in Strawberry Blonde, Santa Fe Trail and The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex.

I can remember the first time I saw the Snake Pit, Hush Hush Sweet Charollette and Light in the Piazza. I was stunned at first, then I was riveted by her performance. The attention to mental illness that she brought with her performance in the Snake Pit, benefited everyone. And I loved the struggle that took place in the Light in the Piazza, parental love and worry versus giving her daughter a happy life. I wondered how many families watched that movie, and got a different perspective about their grown mentally challenged kids.

Olivia de Havilland has the ability to make this fan smile every time I see her. She gave an interview to Hermione Eyre of the London Evening Standard in March of 2010. If you are a fan of Olivia de Havilland, you can go here to read this fascinating interview. There are also recent pictures of de Havilland and you will see what true beauty looks and sounds like at 94 years of age.

If you are a youngster and haven't seen Olivia de Havilland movies, watch the next time you see one advertised. If you are thinking about acting for a living, study Olivia de Havilland movies. I have yet to run across a movie of hers that disappoints me. I don't think she can hand in a bad performance no matter what the movie was about.

Thank you Olivia de Havilland, for hours of pleasure watching your movies. Thanks for thinking about our troops and visiting them. Thanks for caring about people with mental illnesses. Thanks for being a star that Americans and Hollywood can still be proud of.

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London Evening Standard