My Cousin Rachel (1952)

 

 

A young man plots revenge against the woman he believes murdered his cousin, but his plans are shaken when he comes face to face with the enigmatic beauty.

Superior adaptation of a Daphne Du Maurier,novel has, similar to Rebecca, a mystery about an enigmatic  woman and good Gothic settings and atmosphere as well as a competent cast, although the the ending is somewhat confusing.
 

Halliwell*: "Well-wrought but dramatically unsatisfactory Victorian melodrama from a bestseller; plenty of suspicion but no solution makes Rachel a dull girl."

Maltin***: "Successful filmization of Daphne du Maurier mystery..." 

 

 

Olivia de Havilland

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_de_Havilland

Olivia de Havilland, James Stewart & Bette Davis

Gone With the Wind (1939)

A manipulative woman and a roguish man conduct a turbulent romance during the American Civil War and Reconstruction periods.

An epic Hollywood masterpiece showing excellence in all departments (production, casting, storytelling, cinematography) - complete with a disquietening intrinsic and unabashed racism.

Halliwell****: "The only film in history which could be profitably revived for forty years: 'still pure gold', said the Daily Mirror in 1975. Whole books have been written about it: its essential appeal is that of a romantic story with strong characters and an impeccable production. The widescreen version produced in the late sixties ruined its composition and colour, but it is to be hoped that the original negative still survives."

Maltin****: "If not the greatest movie ever made, certainly one of the greatest examples of storytelling on film, maintaining interest for nearly four hours."

Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland

Pope Joan (1972)

The medieval legend of Pope Joan, a woman, who was made Pope for a brief period around 855 A.D.

Despite some production value and a star cast this quite pedestrian movie hardly makes much out of a rather spectacular story.

Halliwell (no star): "Uninspiring pageant, brutish and rather silly, full of would-be medieval sensationalism."

Maltin BOMB: "Dim story...Performers seem to be embarrassed, as well as they should..."

The Dark Mirror (1946)

A man is found murdered, with witnesses convinced about the woman they saw leaving his apartment, but it becomes apparent that the woman has a twin, and finding out which one is the killer seems impossible.

The amateur psychology doesn't hurt this well-staged and effective Noir thriller; and Olivia de Havilland in the double role of good sister/bad sister is a treat.

Halliwell**: "Unconvincing but highly absorbing thrilller with all credits plus; the best brand of Hollywood moonshine."

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

A depiction of the love/hate relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex.