THEY SHONE WITH THE WIND BOOK 3: LESLIE HOWARD, HOWARD C. HICKMAN, JANE DARWELL, HARRY DAVENPORT, MARY YOUNG, BEN CARTER AND LAURA HOPE CREWS

Actor, Leslie Howard, lived a life of contrasts and conquests. Born into a middle class, London family, he was always seeking the next opportunity. Leslie divided his career between England and the States. In America, he switched between the East and West Coasts. He was part of New York's literary set, but enjoyed Mae West movies. When it came to his personal life, one woman was not enough. He lived in the English countryside with his own family, but had a flat in the capital with his mistress. He was devoted to his children, but didn't want to spend every Christmas with them.Leslie's public persona had an intellectual, spiritual quality, but he loved hunting and the rough sport of polo. People thought Leslie was shy, but he went to many Hollywood parties. He claimed to dislike acting but was nominated for two Oscars. Once established in Tinseltown, he left for a stage tour as Hamlet. Women surrounded the stage door, but he didn't like autograph hunters. He told an interviewer that Merle Oberon was the most attractive girl on the screen, but declined his wife's offer of a divorce. (Merle ended their affair, and moved on to David Niven.)Leslie was a reluctant conscript to Gone With the Wind. He bought a copy of the novel in 1937, but later claimed he'd only read its screenplay. He was the highest-paid of the movie's four leads, but said he didn't feel like he knew what the characters were talking about or what was wrong with them, especially Ashley. Leslie took this role for funds and the chance to produce on Selznick's Intermezzo. He did not return to England because he was fuelled by patriotism, but because he was contracted to make a film there.The war torpedoed Leslie's plans, but he assumed the real-life role of a radio propagandist, supporting the Allies. He was a sun-worshipper, and accepted a lecture tour to Spain and Portugal in 1943, as a Goodwill Ambassador for the British Council. He must have anticipated a pleasurable trip, accompanied by the accountant, womaniser and rascal, Alfred Chenhalls. This pair postponed their departure back to England via hazardous skies. They lost their lives and left unanswered questions. Leslie's daughter said that as a father, he was the best she knew. She did not believe he was a spy, but rumours persist. (Alfred's sister was in MI5 and she quizzed one of Lisbon's wartime spies after the conflict.) Leslie was a difficult man to pin down, but this book makes a good attempt.The author researched her subjects by sifting through newspapers and magazines of the time.This publication also provides biographies on some of Leslie's co-stars, who were in vaudeville and theatre, before film.Howard C. Hickman (John Wilkes) was a stage actor with a famous wife. He became a movie director of silents, and retired into numerous character parts for talkies.Jane Darwell (Dolly Merriwether) eschewed her wealthy origins, for the stage. She was directed by Cecil B. DeMille in silents, but triumphed winning an Oscar in 1941.Mary Young (Mrs Elsing) appeared on the London stage, and met royalty. She took a theatre company to the French front during WWI. Mary was cut from Gone With the Wind but worked in other movies and TV.Harry Davenport (Dr Meade) came from an acting dynasty. He had a lengthy career which took him from childhood to old age. He was married three times, and his son worked as his stand-in on Selznick's epic.Ben Carter (Jeems) was cut from the opening of Gone With the Wind, but did well as an agent, musician and comedian.One journalist found Laura Hope Crews (Aunt Pittypat) to be the most contented actress ever. The adored child performer went from stage to silents, and built a big home in Beverly Hills. On a theatre tour, she met Margaret Mitchell, and thought Gone With the Wind should have been made as two movies.This book is all text with no photos. It is written in British English. There is no fictional content. Read more