MovieChat Forums > Olivia de Havilland Discussion > Feud

Feud

posted 4 years ago by gary4movies (174)
4 replies | jump to latest

Yes, Olivia and sister Joan Fontaine never managed to permanently mend their longtime feud, although they tried on occasion, such as the temporary reconciliation in 1962.

Olivia, it seems, couldn't resist needling her sis. One afternoon, over tea, Joan noticed Olivia's TWO Oscars standing on either side of a large bookcase. Joan pointed them out, and Olivia stated, "Yes, I use them as bookends. Joan, dear, what do you use to hold up the other end of YOUR bookcase?"

With that, Joan flounced out of Olivia's house, and the two never spoke again.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

That's unfortunate.

[–] strntz (10933) 4 years ago

"Yes, I use them as bookends. Joan, dear, what do you use to hold up the other end of YOUR bookcase?"

I wasn't there, but I'm inclined to think that I would have laughed if my brother asked me that. I mean, any Oscar back then was a big deal - no less impressive than two or more.

I wonder if Olivia said that to spite Joan or if she said it as a joke that crashed and burned?

[–] [email protected] (5519) 4 years ago

I always knew that they feuded when they were young. But I guess they never grew out of their sibling rivalry.

It's rather ironic. Olivia de Havilland had a reputation for being a gracious lady, very kind and never spoke badly about any of her co-stars. But she couldn't get along with her own sister!

Well, wasn't the first crime fratricide? Cane and Abel couldn't get along either.

[–] rudeboymurray (3241) 4 years ago

It was a sad situation indeed, and their fallout seem to have been almost entirely based on envy and petty sibling rivalry - a pretty weak excuse for a feud that lasted for most of their very long adult lives. I do wonder how much regret they took with them to their graves.