Brian Aherne

Hidden Hollywood: Joan Fontaine’s Honeymoon from Hell

September 26, 2016 by Robert J. Avrech 5 Comments

Joan Fontaine, Rebecca 1940 — Joan Fontaine, Rebecca, 1940

In 1939, Joan Fontaine, twenty-one years old, was slowly making her way up the Hollywood ladder. MGM signed Fontaine to play a small part in the high profile production The Women, directed by George Cukor, starring Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell and Paulette Goddard. For the young actress, it was a plum assignment.

At the same time, Fontaine was subject to numerous screen tests for the role of the second Mrs. De Winter for David O. Selznick’s highly anticipated Rebecca, first under the direction of John Cromwell and then Alfred Hitchcock. The screen tests were grueling, and the emotional toll devastating. Fontaine’s nerves were seriously frayed.

Fontaine and her sister Olivia de Havilland were living in the same house in North Hollywood with their overbearing mother Lilian, a failed actress. As always, Joan and Olivia were engaged in a low-intensity conflict. Like so many Hollywood actresses, Fontaine’s father was long gone.

Take #3: The Meaning of Leaning in Hollywood

October 15, 2014 by Robert J. Avrech 7 Comments

Jean Harlow propped up on a leaning board between scenes for “Dinner at Eight” (’33). The form fitting silk gown designed by Adrian was so tight that Harlow could not sit. In fact, Harlow was sewn into the gown — sans underwear.

Leaning boards ( also called Slant boards) were invented for Hollywood players to relax between takes. Hollywood costumes were frequently cut on-the-bias, and tailored so snugly that the actor could not sit without bursting a ladder of seams. In fact, most of the time, there were no zippers or buttons on the costumes. Actors were stitched into their garments.

When you see Jean Harlow in Dinner at Eight, and marvel at the impeccable fit of the famous white silk gown, be aware that Harlow’s mobility was severely limited. In fact, just breathing was something of a chore.

Remember, classic Hollywood movies were designed to project images of glamour. For the screen, costumes had to be photogenic. Comfort and practicality were of little concern.

These days, leaning boards are still in use, but they are the exception rather than the rule, for a variety of reasons. Modern fabrics are more forgiving. It is also quite rare for a costume to be designed, cut and sewn, for one actress. Most costumes are off the rack, and modified. Besides, in today’s Hollywood, stars who receive multiple millions for one film are loathe to suffer the indignities of such a tight fit.

Joan Fontaine’s Not So Hollywood Wedding Night

September 1, 2011 by Robert J. Avrech 11 Comments

joan fontaine rebecca — Joan Fontaine, Rebecca 1940.

At the same time, Fontaine was subject to numerous screen tests for the role of the second Mrs. De Winter for David O. Selznick’s Rebecca, first under the direction of John Cromwell and then Alfred Hitchcock. Screen tests are grueling, and the emotional toll is devastating. During this period of her life Fontaine’s nerves were seriously frayed.

Fontaine and her sister Olivia de Havilland lived in the same house in North Hollywood with their overbearing mother Lilian, a failed actress. As always, Joan and Olivia were engaged in a low-intensity conflict. Like so many Hollywood actresses, Fontaine’s father was long gone.

Fontaine freely admits that she had a thing for older men. Ambitious, but deeply vulnerable, the young actress was looking for security, and a “protector.”

She already had a brief affair with her childhood idol, the handsome leading man, Conrad Nagel. Her description of their first intimacy is less than passionate: