If Vivien Leigh Wasn't Cast, Who Would Make a Perfect Scarlett O'Hara?
by ellacinders26 | created - 25 Apr 2016 | updated - 25 Apr 2016 | PublicThese are the actresses who screen tested or were considered for the iconic role of Scarlett O'Hara. I absolutely adore Vivien Leigh's performance, however, I can't help but wonder who else would be capable of bringing such a strong and independent character to life.
1. Lana Turner
Actress | Madame X
Lana Turner had an acting ability that belied the "Sweater Girl" image MGM thrust upon her, and even many of her directors admitted that they knew she was capable of greatness (check out The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)). Unfortunately, her private life sometimes overshadowed her professional ...
2. Tallulah Bankhead
Actress | Lifeboat
Tallulah Brockman Bankhead was born on January 31, 1902 in Huntsville, Alabama. Her father was a mover and shaker in the Democratic Party who served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from June 4, 1936, to September 16, 1940. Tallulah had been interested in acting and, at age ...
3. Frances Dee
Actress | I Walked with a Zombie
Dee was born in Los Angeles, where her Army officer father was stationed, and grew up in Chicago after her father was transferred there. In 1929, he was re-assigned to L.A., and, as a lark, the 19 year old Dee began working in motion pictures as an extra. Her debut was in Words and Music (1929) ...
4. Brenda Marshall
Actress | The Sea Hawk
This alluring hazel-eyed 1940s leading lady was born Ardis Ankerson on the Philippine island of Negros, one of two siblings. Her father was Otto Peter Ankerson who held an important position as overseer of a large sugar plantation. Following the premature death of her mother in 1925, Ardis and her ...
5. Susan Hayward
Actress | With a Song in My Heart
Susan Hayward was born Edythe Marrener in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1917. Her father was a transportation worker, and Susan lived a fairly comfortable life as a child, but the precocious little redhead had no idea of the life that awaited her. She attended public school in Brooklyn, where she...
6. Paulette Goddard
Actress | The Ghost Breakers
Paulette Goddard was a child model who debuted in "The Ziegfeld Follies" at the age of 13. She gained fame with the show as the girl on the crescent moon, and was married to a wealthy man, Edgar James, by the time she was 17. After her divorce she went to Hollywood in 1931, where she appeared in ...
7. Joan Bennett
Actress | Suspiria
Joan Geraldine Bennett was born on February 27, 1910, in Palisades, New Jersey. Her parents were both successful stage actors, especially her father, Richard Bennett, and often toured the country for weeks at a time. In fact, Joan came from a long line of actors, dating back to the 18th century. ...
8. Margaret Tallichet
Actress | Stranger on the Third Floor
Margaret Tallichet was born on March 13, 1914 in Dallas, Texas, USA. She was an actress, known for Stranger on the Third Floor (1940), A Desperate Adventure (1938) and It Started with Eve (1941). She was married to William Wyler. She died on May 3, 1991 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
9. Nancy Coleman
Actress | The Gay Sisters
Nancy Coleman was born on December 30, 1912 in Everett, Washington, USA. She was an actress, known for The Gay Sisters (1942), Her Sister's Secret (1946) and Devotion (1946). She was married to Whitney Bolton. She died on January 18, 2000 in Brockport, Monroe County, New York, USA.
10. Adele Longmire
Actress | Bullet Scars
Adele Longmire was born on June 27, 1918 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. She was an actress, known for Bullet Scars (1942), I Love Lucy (1951) and The Turning Point (1952). She was married to Arthur Franz. She died on January 15, 2008 in Taos, New Mexico, USA.
11. Anita Louise
Actress | The Little Princess
An actress from the age of 6, Anita appeared with Walter Hampden in the Broadway production of Peter Ibbetson. As a juvenile actor, Anita used the name Louise Fremault and made her film debut at 9 in the film The Sixth Commandment (1924). She continued to make films as a child actor, and in 1929, ...
12. Louise Platt
Actress | Stagecoach
Louise Platt was born on August 3, 1915 in Stamford, Connecticut, USA. She was an actress, known for Stagecoach (1939), Captain Caution (1940) and Tell No Tales (1939). She was married to Stanley Gould and Jed Harris. She died on September 6, 2003 in Greenport, New York, USA.
13. Marcella Martin
Actress | Gone with the Wind
Marcella Martin was born on June 5, 1916 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. She was an actress, known for Gone with the Wind (1939), The Man Who Returned to Life (1942) and The Secret Storm (1954). She was married to Robert Lee McGratty, John Martin and James Ferguson. She died on October 31, 1986 in ...
14. Jean Arthur
Actress | You Can't Take It with You
This marvelous screen comedienne's best asset was only muffled during her seven years' stint in silent films. That asset? It was, of course, her squeaky, frog-like voice, which silent-era cinema audiences had simply no way of perceiving, much less appreciating. Jean Arthur, born Gladys Georgianna ...
15. Linda Watkins
Actress | The Parent Trap
Linda Watkins was born on May 23, 1908 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. She was an actress, known for The Parent Trap (1961), From Hell It Came (1957) and Route 66 (1960). She was married to Gabriel Lorie Hess. She died on October 31, 1976 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
16. Dorothy Mathews
Actress | The Way of All Men
Dorothy Mathews was born on February 13, 1912 in New York City, New York, USA. She was an actress and producer, known for The Way of All Men (1930), The Doorway to Hell (1930) and Love 'Em and Leave 'Em (1926). She was married to Donald Davis. She died on May 18, 1977 in Los Angeles, California, ...
17. Diana Barrymore
Actress | Between Us Girls
"Too Much, Too Soon" was the story of Diana's life, and the title of her autobiography. Her father was stage and screen legend John Barrymore and her mother was Blanche Oelrichs (who wrote under the masculine pseudonym Michael Strange), who had just divorced Mr. Thomas and had 2 children (Leonard ...
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