Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine. Most people nowadays wouldn't recognize either of those names, much less know that they were two very famous sisters. But Olivia and Joan were once top-billed actresses in the golden age of Hollywood... and each an Academy Award Winner. The two of them are still alive today and, sadly, they are at odds with one another. It seems that it has been that way their whole lives. Both being nominated for "Best Actress" in the same year probably didn't to help the situation...
The girls were born in Tokyo, Japan and both were successful actresses by 1940. Olivia made a splash early on; immortalized in one of the great films of the century - Gone With the Wind - and starring in eight films next to my favorite irishman of all time, Errol Flynn. I admit that this contributes largely to the fact that I have seen Olivia in at least half a dozen films, and Joan in none. But, to the younger sister's credit, she is the only actress to have won an Academy Award under the direction of Alfred Hitchcock, and her performances in his films are considered classics.
It really is sad that two young women who were so immensely talented should have had such an estranged relationship. These photos (from a LIFE shoot in 1942) seem to have been taken at a time when they were on friendly terms (or at least appeared to be, according to the rose-colored glasses of that era).
Regardless of the differences and controversy, they were two very beautiful girls... and wonderfully dressed. In these photos they can be seen sporting variations of the fashionable "pompadour" hair style (almost as huge as in the age of the Gibson Girl). In the above (left) image Olivia is wearing a classic 1940s style blouse, printed with bunches of bananas (was this the first graphic tee? ;) and a simple, straight skirt. Amazing shoes with cut-outs add a punch of glamour. Joan (above, right) is dressed more casually in a relaxed wrap top, pinned with a sprig of flowers, and stylish trousers, tied at the waist with a sash. Her wooden wedge shoes (featuring heel cut-outs) look like something straight out of one of today's fashion catalogues. Good styles apparently stick around...
The second shot of Olivia (above, left) shows a slightly less formal side. She is wearing a comfortable sweater top with contrast on the pocket and a rather eye-catching (and patriotic) belt. The wide cuff bracelet was probably super-trendy in 1942, and is still a hot piece today. Joan (on the right) is wearing an elegant, long-sleeved dress with a lace overlay and delicate buttons up the front. Perfect for an evening out. The huge flower on the bodice is a bit distracting, but the triple string of pearls is ultra chic.
Which of these lovely outfits would you have chosen to wear in 1942? Do you have a favorite film in which one of these actresses starred? I definitely plan on seeing the rest of the Errol/Olivia movies and her other notable pictures, and I have long been wanting to view Rebecca, for which Joan is famous. I'll probably have to check out Suspicion while I'm at it, which is the Academy Award winning role, and also stars Cary Grant (whom I have come to enjoy, despite myself ;).
If anything, I'm so glad that my own sisters and I don't have long-running family feuds (of course, there is the usual share of short-term ones). They are so much more fun to be friends with. :)
P.S. Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement after my last rather "down" post. I think God is doing wonderful things already. :)
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