Reframing Vivien Leigh: Stardom, Gender, and the Archive

Vivien Leigh, the iconic British actress, is best known for her unforgettable portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara in the epic film Gone with the Wind. Her performance won her an Academy Award and made her a global star. However, beyond her iconic role, Leigh was a complex and multifaceted actress with a career spanning over three decades.

Reframing Vivien Leigh: Stardom, Gender, and the Archive offers a fresh and engaging perspective on Leigh's career, legacy, and the cultural significance of her stardom. This book brings together a collection of essays by leading scholars in film studies, gender studies, and cultural history, who examine Leigh's work through the lenses of gender, stardom, and the archive.

Gender and Stardom

One of the central themes of Reframing Vivien Leigh is the interplay between gender and stardom. Leigh was a female star who achieved unprecedented success in an industry dominated by men. Her stardom was both a product of and a challenge to gender norms. The essays in this section explore how Leigh's gender shaped her career, her image, and her reception by audiences.

One of the most striking things about Leigh's career is her ability to play a wide range of roles, from the innocent and vulnerable Scarlett O'Hara to the strong-willed and independent Lady Macbeth. This versatility is often seen as a testament to her acting skills. However, the essays in this section argue that Leigh's gender also played a role in her ability to play such a diverse range of characters. Her femininity allowed her to access certain roles that would have been unavailable to male actors, while her strength and independence allowed her to challenge traditional gender roles.

The Archive

Another important theme of Reframing Vivien Leigh is the role of the archive in shaping our understanding of stardom. Leigh's career has been extensively documented, from her early stage appearances to her later Hollywood films. This vast archive of materials provides a rich source of information for scholars and fans alike. However, the essays in this section argue that the archive is not a neutral repository of facts. Rather, it is a constructed and curated collection that reflects the values and biases of those who have created it.

By examining the archive, the essays in this section shed light on the ways in which Leigh's image has been shaped and reshaped over time. They also explore the ways in which the archive can be used to challenge traditional narratives about stardom and gender.

Legacy

Vivien Leigh's legacy is complex and multifaceted. She was a talented actress who achieved unprecedented success in an industry dominated by men. She was also a complex and often contradictory figure, who struggled with personal demons and professional challenges. However, her work continues to inspire and fascinate audiences around the world.

The essays in Reframing Vivien Leigh offer a nuanced and multifaceted portrait of one of the most iconic actresses of all time. They shed light on her complex relationship with gender, stardom, and the archive, and they offer a fresh perspective on her legacy.

Reframing Vivien Leigh: Stardom, Gender, and the Archive is an essential read for anyone interested in film studies, gender studies, or cultural history. This book offers a fresh and engaging perspective on one of the most iconic actresses of all time, and it challenges us to rethink our assumptions about stardom, gender, and the archive.