Saluting a great acting career

A few days ago, 104-year-old actress Olivia de Havilland died peacefully in her sleep in Paris. She was a Hollywood legend and she had a remarkable career. She played Maid Marian in “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (1938) and Melanie Wilkes in “Gone with the Wind” (1939) and so many others. She won an Oscar for Best Actress in the film “To Each His Own” (1946) for her performance as an unwed mother who gives up her baby for adoption during World War I, only to rediscover him as an adult as World War II rages. Her roles were memorable. She was also nominated for Best Actress for her role in “The Snake Pit” (1948). Olivia and her frequent costar Errol Flynn first met when she tested for the female lead in “Captain Blood” (1935), and it was love at first sight. Her fondness for him shone through in all of their eight films together. I really enjoyed watching all of her movies and sometimes wishing I was Errol Flynn, so I could kiss my pretty brunette costar. I don’t think there will ever be another Olivia de Havilland. Rest in peace.

Michael Anthony Walnutport