Vivian Leigh radiates in little known classic

V ivien Leigh is best known for her legendary, Academy Award-winning portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind.” Many would be hard pressed to name a single other film in which she appeared.

But, as fact would have it, she appeared 18 other pictures, including “A Streetcar Named Desire,” her second Oscar turn. She also managed to win a Tony Award on Broadway in 1963, and spent 20 years married to world-renowned actor and director Sir Lawrence Olivier.

Among the greatest of her “other” film work is a simple, romantic melodrama co-starring Robert Taylor, one of the foremost matinee idols of the day. The title refers to a famous landmark in Great Britain, “Waterloo Bridge.”

The plot follows a solider in World War I who embarks on a love affair with a ballerina. The war and her strict ballet instructor cause complications along the way, leading to both laughter and tears.

Waterloo Bridge becomes an important set piece throughout the movie as the location in which the lovers meet. The bridge in the film though is quite obviously an elaborately made-up Hollywood soundstage.

This film uniquely comes to its romantic moments honestly and subtlety. The story, without giving any of its many twists away, never feels contrived or unnatural. While the extremely attractive couple goes through their trials there is never a single moment of question.

The chemistry between Leigh and Taylor is a sight to see. Both performers were quoted as saying this was their personal favorite of all their films.

Taylor was married to top box-office draw Barbara Stanwyck, who was in such classic films as “Double Indemnity” and “Christmas in Connecticut.” Taylor himself was most well-known for big-budget, period, epic blockbusters like “Quo Vadis” and “Ivanhoe.”

Oddly, “Waterloo Bridge” is one of the most famous American films in China, on level with “Casablanca” and “Citizen Kane,” though it is only known to classic movie buffs here. Apparently there are even audio guides that follow the film to help students practice English.

The story progresses in time to the beginning of World War II. Being released in 1940, only months after the outbreak of the war, it is likely the first picture produced that contains references to World War II.

This was Leigh’s first movie after “Gone with the Wind,” which probably assisted in its impressive box-office performance. And it was actually with “Waterloo Bridge” that Taylor’s position as “matinee idol” was cemented.

The cinematography is also quite remarkable. Nominated for an Oscar, the black-and-white picture contains poetic images and breathtaking close-ups of the almost unnaturally good-looking leads. Everything about the movie just bleeds romance. This is truly one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen.

Do yourself a favor and make a visit to “Waterloo Bridge,” which can be found on Netflix, and (quite illegally, I’m sure) on YouTube.