SERENA BLANDISH (1938)

Sir Everard Pynchon: (to Serena Blandish) When I talk to you I feel myself endowed with your sparkle, your health, your hope, your vitality.

Novel: A Lady of Quality
Written by: Enid Bagnold
Adapted: S. N. Behrman
Directed: Esme Percy (at first, Laurence Olivier was going to direct the play, but later gave it up to Esme Percy)

Location Gate Theatre, London
Opened: September 13, 1938; the play was closing that week after an unsuccessful run

Cast: Vivien Leigh (Serena Blandish), Jeanne de Casalis (Countess Flor di Folio), Stewart Granger (Lord Ivor Cream), Harold Scott (Stranger), Hedley Briggs (Sir Everard Pynchon), Aubrey Dexter (Sigmund Traub), and others

Vivien Leigh plays the name-part with great charm and point. (September 21, 1938)

Stewart Granger (actor): Larry directed me through a scene with Vivien, and I was absolutely awful, horrid. But both Vivien and Larry seemed dazzled by my good looks, or so I assumed at that time. When I left the theater, I had the role.

Stewart Granger: She was appalling, because when Vivien spoke, you could hear Larry.

Photos: Visit the Photo gallery

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