Is Norma Shearer really so over the top. Her accent or fake accent whatever it was---it annoyed me to death. Clark Gable was absolutely charming. But to think Ms. Shearer could have played Scarlett frightens me. She is so NOT Scarlett O'Hara.
shareIf you missed the beginning Shearer plays a Vaudeville acrobat so smitten by Gable that she forces her way into his hotel room. She tries all her feminine wiles and finally he succumbs. At the start of the picture she has no accent but Gable is intrigued by her self invention, though not enough to stick around. There is a twenty year gap between their first and second meeting. I admit her accent is BIZAAR but somehow with the wig and gown and cigarette holder, for me, it works. You are not alone in your dislike of her performance, I guess it's a matter of personal taste.
Waste anything except TIME time is our shortest material
Right on Strat -- it was supposed to be a theatrical silly accent. Worked great. I understand why GWTW needed a foreign actress for Scarlett, and Vivien was terrific, but I can visualize any number of Hollywood actresses who could have done it. The ROLE was what made it; the PART was written for a strong Southern belle, so naturally they had to go to Britain.
I miss Big Band music and talented singers. Leonard Cohen is my idol. Civility, harmony, unity!
I had never heard that Norma had been offered the part of Scarlett and I've seen the fabulous Making of GWTW many times. The main front runner before Vivienne Leigh showed up was Paulette Goddard who I believe would have done a good job. Seeing Vivienne in the part I can find nothing to criticize.
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