Now is the Time [Hardcover]

Olivia De Havilland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2010

The sensational autobiography of the Oscar winning, original 'Maid Marian' and last surviving principal cast member from Gone with the Wind , revealing the secrets and scandals from the black and white golden era of Hollwood. Signed by Warner Bros. in 1935 to a seven-year contract, the raven-haired actress and sister of Joan Fontaine, went on to star opposite Flynn in Captain Blood. She was 18, he was 26; the pair made eight films in the next seven years, including The Adventures of Robin Hood and their last picture together, Raoul Walsh's 1941 drama about George Custer They Died With Their Boots On. Of that film, she said, "There was a real grief and sorrow and loss when we made that. I felt the same way the next day and the day after that. And many, many years later I realized this would be the last picture I would make with Errol Flynn." But as to whether their movie romance bloomed off-screen, the lady with now snow-white hair coiffed in an elegant French twist, won't say. De Havilland chafed at Hollywood's treatment of performers under contract. The actress sued Warner Bros. in the 1940s after being suspended for refusing typecast roles. She won the suit and the decision giving greater creative freedom to performers became know as "De Havilland's Law." Her last film role was in 1979's The Fifth Musketeer. Having lived in Paris for the past half-century, the actress admitted to not watching her own movies lately but said she likes to have dinner in bed and do a crossword puzzle. Asked about her favourite role, she replied: "I felt Gone with the Wind' would last five years, and it's lasted over 50, and into a new millennium.There is a special place in my heart for that film and Melanie.She was a remarkable character- a loving person, and because of that she was a happy person. And Scarlett, of course, was not."

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0246137142
• ISBN-13: 978-0246137142
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We've been waiting so long Ms. De Havilland!, January 24, 2011

By 

A. Danovi (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Now is the Time (Hardcover)

I cannot wait for Ms. De Havilland's memoirs to be finished. She is one of the finest actresses from the Golden era of Hollywood who was the first female president of Cannes Film Festival jury. She is also credited with the de Havilland decision which revolutionized how the entertainment executives conducted business with their employees, the actors, singers, and even athletes. She has lived in Paris for 50 years but has been a proud American since becoming a citizen in 1941. In 2008 she was honored with the National Medal of Arts from President Bush and in 2010 she received the Knight of the Legion of Honor from French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Ms. de Havilland is probably best well known for her role as Melanie Hamilton Wilkes in Gone With the Wind (1939). She was nominated for an academy award for Best Supporting Actress for that role but lost it to Hattie McDaniel who was also nominated in the same category. She went on to be nominated for 4 more Oscars as Best Actress and received two, one for "To Each His Own" and a second for "The Heiress."

Ms. de Havilland wrote one previous book, "Every Frenchman Has One" which is a wonderful collection of tales of her early life in Paris. I'd recommend the book to any fan!

Ms. de Havilland's memoirs are sure to be a special treasure for any fan of her's and I cannot wait until they come out.

Angela Danovi
TN