Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh: A Tumultuous Hollywood Romance (Part One)

 

Olivier in Wuthering Heights
Jill Esmond

Leigh and Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire
Hattie McDaniel, Olivia De Havilland and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind

 

Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, Gone With the Wind.

 

Poster for one of the many revivals that made Gone With the Wind the most profitable film ever made.

Publicly,  perceived as one of the great romances of the 20th century, privately the Oliviers endured infidelity, severe mental illness and ultimately divorce.

Discover the tumultuous love story of Hollywood legends Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in this captivating episode. From their scandalous affair to their rise as cinema’s power couple, we uncover the passion, drama, and mental health struggles behind their iconic careers. Learn how Olivier’s Shakespearean ambitions and Leigh’s breakout role in “Gone with the Wind” shaped their destinies. Delve into the golden age of Hollywood, exploring the making of classics like “Wuthering Heights” and the behind-the-scenes tensions of “Gone with the Wind.” This bite-sized biography reveals the human side of these larger-than-life figures, offering a glimpse into their triumphs, tribulations, and lasting impact on film history. Perfect for history buffs, classic movie fans, and anyone fascinated by the untold stories of famous figures.

Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh: A Tumultuous Hollywood Romance (Part Two)

Olivier in Rebecca with Joan Fontaine
The Oliviers in Australia, the smiles would eventually fade
Vivien Leigh, 1957
Olivier’s costume in Spartacus
Olivier in, “The Entertainer,” with Joan Plowright
Olivier and Joan Plowright visiting the Reagan’s in the White House in the 80’s
Olivier’s grave in Westminster Abbey

Publicly,  perceived as one of the great romances of the 20th century, privately the Oliviers endured infidelity, severe mental illness and ultimately divorce.

Discover the tumultuous love story of Hollywood legends Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in this captivating episode. From their scandalous affair to their rise as cinema’s power couple, we uncover the passion, drama, and mental health struggles behind their iconic careers. Learn how Olivier’s Shakespearean ambitions and Leigh’s breakout role in “Gone with the Wind” shaped their destinies. Delve into the golden age of Hollywood, exploring the making of classics like “Wuthering Heights” and the behind-the-scenes tensions of “Gone with the Wind.” This bite-sized biography reveals the human side of these larger-than-life figures, offering a glimpse into their triumphs, tribulations, and lasting impact on film history. Perfect for history buffs, classic movie fans, and anyone fascinated by the untold stories of famous figures.

 

Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh: A Tumultuous Hollywood Romance (Book and Music Information)

The books used to compose this podcast included:

“Truly, Madly,” by Stephen Galloway.

“Olivier,” by Terry Coleman.

“Vivien Leigh,” by Hugo Vickers

The music used in this podcast included:

Intro, parts one and two: “Night Shift,” by National Sweetheart.

Outro, part one: “Inconsciousness,” by Mini Vandals.

Outro, part two: “Natural Light,” by Chris Haugen