The Charge of the Light Brigade (Warner Bros.) (1936)

Olivia de Havilland is her real name. She is of English descent and among her notable ancestors are the Sir Peter de Havilland who so ardently supported Cromwell against Charles I — and those generous patrons of Gilbert and Sullivan, Lord and Lady Nolesworth. She was born in Tokio, Japan, twenty years ago, her father having for a time been engaged in the practice of law there. Though her parents brought her to America when she was three — she has retained her love for things Oriental — cherry blossoms, iris, and crysanthemums — prints with snow-capped Fujiyama in the distance — silks, delicate bits of china — ivories and incense. She spends much time in the Japanese garden she has had created on her Hollywood estate. After her success in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream’? — Olivia’s versatility was tested in leads in “Alibi Ike” and “The Irish In Us.” Her days where a whirlwind of activity — horseback riding, swimming, playing the piano, sketching, and trying “desperately” to write verse. She likes to play tennis and badminton, too, and to work crossword puzzles. She claims to care only moderately for clothes. She can’t cook but doesn’t let that worry her. She likes to write letters and to save programs, press notices and anything reminiscent of pleasant events in her life. She enjoys reading and her prime favorite among novels is “David Copperfield.”>, And now came her chance to play a really exciting role — the heroine of “Captain Blood.” HARGE of the LIGHT BRIGADE” SEP CO. Ff AT] ON They lived for a while in San Francisco — and then went to Saratoga, California, where Olivia was educated. She attended Saratoga Grammar School, Notre Dame Convent and Los Gates High School — winning a scholarship to Mills College, Berkeley. During her schooldays she played hockey, debated, won a cup for public speaking and edited the School Year Book. She played roles in school theatricals, too, and acquitted herself nobly — one reason being that her mother who had studied at Sir Beerbohm Tree’s Academy in London, was an excellent dramatic coach. Olivia, undecided whether to be a teacher, an author or — an actress — was playing Puck in a school production — when Opportunity knocked. SKYROCKETING TO STARDOM * OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND * HER LIFE STORY (NO. 2) Co-starred with Errol Flynn in “The Charge of the Light Brigade,”’ the Warner Bros. picture coming to the f a i RABELLA Ko Sabatini’s swashbuckling tale of pirate adventures on the Seven Seas — was being produced on a grand scale — with that personable young Irish soldier of fortune, Errol Flynn, as the hero — Peter Blood. Olivia was to be the aristocratic and spirited heroine, Arabella — who was to buy Peter as a slave — to be captured by him — and protected by his sword — against villainous sea rovers. Olivia and Errol both covered themselves with glory — and the usually rocky road to stardom was shortened immeasurably by “Captain Blood” and his goings-on. In the meantime all the world was reading the story of the wanderings of a dashing young adventurer named Anthony Adverse. SKYROCKETING TO STARDOM * OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND * HER LIFE STORY (No. 1) Co-starred with Errol Flynn in “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” the Warner Bros. picture coming to the. Theatre on A seout of Professor Max Reinhardt saw Olivia’s elfin performance of Puck in the school play — and the result was that she was sent for to understudy the part of Hermia in Reinhardt’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in the Hollywood Bowl. Next — Gloria Stewart, who was to play Hermia, was recalled to her film studio. Olivia stepped into the role. The result was a film test at the Warner studio to play Hermia in Reinhardt’s spectacular film production of the Shakespeare fantasy. She is seen above with Dick Powell in an intriguing scene from that picture. She had no further doubt what her life-work was to be. And the fates had bigger things in store. See tomorVOWS eee (newspaper). Theatre on ANGELA Fredric March was chosen to play the heroic role of . Anthony in the lavish Warner Bros. picturization of the Hervey Allen novel — and the only person considered for the feminine lead was tiny, exquisite Olivia. The emotional role of Angela covers a wide range — beginning as the unsophisticated daughter of an Italian innkeeper and ending as the glittering favorite of Napoleon. And she has to become a prima donna. Olivia had always doubted her own singing voice, but after a long period of coaching under the famous Natale Carossio — she sang arias from “L’Orfeo” and “La Duchesse de Ferrara’”’ with fine effect — and did Angela so well that stardom almost — But read tomorTOW SO a ies (newspaper). SKYROCKETING TO STARDOM * OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND * HER LIFE STORY (NO. 3) Co-starred with Errol Flynn in “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” the Warner Bros. picture coming to th Theatre on The excitement of her triumph in “Anthony Adverse” was hardly over when she was informed that she was to be co-starred with Errol Flynn in an even more exacting role — that of Elsa Campbell — lovetorn and tragic heroine of the spectacular Crimean War picture, “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” There was to be a breathing space, however, before rehearsals for the new role — her first role as a star — would begin. Time to catch up with her writing — time to think about the investment suggestions made by her business manager — for Olivia is one young lady who saves her money. She says she has but two extravagances, flowers and perfumes. Time, too, for going oni picnics in the hills and for basking in the sun. Mp AS “Wp “Mm, Pod Olivia de Havilland is but five feet four inches in height and she weighs only one hundred and seven pounds — but she is a dynamo of energy. Her enthusiasms are tremendous and many — and have had much to do with the fact that she is a star at twenty. When asked to enumerate her pet aversions she mentioned mice and alarm clocks. The latter dislike had to be put aside, however, when she began to work in “The Charge of the Light Brigade’”> — which whisked her back to the middle of the nineteenth century — placed her in a British army post in Calcutta, India — entangled her in a love affair with two brothers — and made her the protector of native women and children — in the midst of flood — bombardment and oncoming doom. Vy After long and strenuous months of study, rehearsal and acting in the vast and stirring sequences of “The Charge of the Light Brigade’”” — after hearing the applause of the first night crowd — and reading the glowing words of the reviewers — Olivia was just a bit homesick for Saratoga, California — the boys and girls with whom she had gone to school — the teachers who had helped her — the friends who had so eagerly followed her swift flight to fame. She lost not time in packing up and motoring off with her mother to the town which had been home to her for so many years. So while you are enjoying the heroics of Olivia the Star — Olivia the Home Town Girl is enjoying a well earned vacation away back home. Three Strips Available in One Mat. Order Mat No. 504—50c. Page Fifteen