Laurence Olivier's Centenary

On a day like today, May 22, but exactly a century ago (1907), Laurence Olivier was born in Dorking, Surrey, UK. And, of course, such an event has to be celebrated:

The Laurence Olivier Centenary Festival runs 15 to 30 May 2007 and will feature screenings of seven Olivier films at Dorking Halls. A free exhibition of photographs, playbills and memorabilia will run simultaneously at Denbies Wine Estate. (Malcolm Rock in What's on Stage)

Precisely today is the screening of Wuthering Heights 1939:

Laurence Olivier Centenary - Wuthering Heights (U)

With an introduction by Tarquin Olivier

22 May 2007 7.30pm (Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey)

On the day of Lord Olivier's actual birthday, his elder son, Tarquin Olivier will give a talk on "Life with Father"; followed by a showing of Wuthering Heights, in which Laurence Olivier starred alongside Merle Oberon. This film was directed by William Wyler, who, Lord Olivier claimed, really taught him the art of film acting.

It's remarkable that Laurence Olivier and Daphne du Maurier celebrate their centenaries this year. Besides Heathcliff, probably Laurence Olivier's best known non Shakespearean role is Rebecca's Maxim de Winter.

More information about WH and Laurence Olivier in this and this old posts of ours.

Categories: Movies-DVD-TV, Wuthering Heights