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Confidentially – Erol is No. 3

04 Jan

January 4, 1937

— Tim

 
8 Comments

Posted in Behind the Scenes, Directors, Gentleman Tim

 
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barb
4 years ago

I’d read that he was mentioned for GWTW, along with Bette Davis, but have never seen the possibility of his casting in writing. I love Gary Cooper, but I don’t think he’d have done as well as Gable or Flynn.

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Gentleman Tim
4 years ago
Reply to  barb

Yes, it was all “confidential”, barb. Reai between the lines, I sense that Selznick wanted Errol more for that annual contract than for GWTW. Unless perhaps he also got Pette D. Errol was probably happy not to have to endure the making of another film with Queen Bette. An a good thing, because Vivien was sensational. Gable, too. I’m also glad Errol didn’t play the role of Ashley Weakling. He was just too strong for that.

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Debbyphielix
4 years ago
Reply to  Gentleman Tim

I can only see Errol as Rhett, but Bette as Scarlett? I am no fan of her. Vivien Leigh was sensational. Bette was more a diva and overrated actress. In my opinion that is. Errol is the only actor I can see as Rherr, besides Clark Gable, who did a great job playing him.

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barb
4 years ago

I agree, I could only see Errol as Rhett, especially at that stage of his career, and do not see Davis as Scarlett. Not sure if the chronology works, but I’ve read that Davis didn’t want to work with Flynn in GWTW and that that nixed his participation in the movie. I also can see how Selznick would want Errol for that annual contract. Flynn was in his prime back then.

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Gentleman Tim
4 years ago
Reply to  barb

I think you’re right, barb. ….here’s a contemporary account of the role selection history..

archive.org…

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barb
4 years ago

Didn’t Davis supposedly get the lead role in Jezebel at Warners as a consolation for not getting cast in GWTW?

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Gentleman Tim
4 years ago
Reply to  barb

I believe that’s true, barb. And I believe Selznick was rightfully quite pissed that Jack Warner released such an obviously similar film before the premier of GWTW. Fortunately for David O, Jezebel, rushed as it was, was an inferior film, both in quality and at the box office.
comment image

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Gentleman Tim
4 years ago
Reply to  Gentleman Tim

“A Scarlet Portrait” Warner shamelessly boasts!

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