Posted on 06/02/2022 4:24:42 PM PDT by BEJ
What do the movies "Street Car Named Desire" and "Gone with the Wind" have in common?
They both won an Academy Award for Vivian Leigh, the protagonist in both movies. But there are even more striking similarities. Vivian Leigh (an English actress) basically plays the same character in both movies: a coquette-like, love-smitten Southern Belle. The only real difference is that as Scarlet O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" stood up to a harsh world, Blanch Dubois in "A Streetcar Named Desire" was brought down and crushed by the same world. Both characters revered landed property and the high manner of Southern society. Both movies center around the real but the illusory passion of romantic love that blossoms with youth. Where the spell of romantic love was eventually abandoned by Scarlet, after learning a harsh and important lesson in life, Blanch succumbed to its charms even to the point of madness. Avoiding the bitter realities of the world for the sake of make-believe, fairy tale love can put you in a nuthouse. This is where older damsels, who desperately cling to their amorous dreams and fading looks, can eventually end up.
There is a third movie that completes the Vivian Leigh theme and that is "Ship of Fools." Here she plays Mrs. Tredwell who is like Scarlet & Blanch at an even older age. Again the topic is romantic love and how older women despair and wish to be young again. It, too, has won awards but not an Academy Award.
The Vivian Leigh trilogy is a great lesson on life. I happened to stumble onto this actress, and I'm not sure how I did it -- possibly through another movie she was in. She has an amazing Southern accent for a British woman and plays her roles exquisitely. She, like Blanche Dubois, did suffer from mental illness. However, she has given an impressive performance and much to think about on the subject of romantic love.
Which one, Clark Gable or Leslie Howard? Or both?
Tara shot her attacker.
Blanche succumbed to here.
I know this one... Same gaffer grip.
Street Car Named Desire was set in Chicago; perhaps south Chicago?
I’m 20 years younger than you, and I couldn’t agree with you more.
You might be thinking about another film. Streetcar is set in New Orleans.
I watch very few movies that are not on American Movie Classics or Turner Classics - if a movie is in black and white it gets my interest
New Orleans...double check.
Men acted like men.
‘I know this one... Same gaffer grip.’
naw, they had the same best boy...
New Orleans...double check.
When America was still America.
Yeah, missed that one. Really thought Chicago. :)
Yeah, missed on that. :)
Chicago had a lot of streetcars was I was a kid!😀
Read where it was General Motors who convinced cities to get rid of streetcars and go to their buses.
Kowalski is a name that you’d expect to find in Chicago.
Hi.
You are an English professor, correct? Ivy league?
5.56mm
While Brando was admittedly Bisexual, are you insinuating that Clark Gable was gay
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