Directed by
William Wyler
Writing credits
Emily Brontė (novel)
John Huston (uncredited)
Produced by
Samuel Goldwyn
Original Music by
Alfred Newman
Main Cast
Merle Oberon .... Cathy
This film moved quickly up my list after only watching it once. The tragic romance between Cathy and Heathcliff, the marvelous performance of Laurence Olivier and the heart wrenching ending moved me by all comprehension. One of the greatest films I've ever seen!
Wuthering Heights was made in 1939. It was originally planned to be made in 1937 with Charles Boyer and Sylvia Sidney. Both backed out, but Sidney showed the script to William Wyler. When Wyler heard the project was scrapped he urged Samuel Goldwyn to buy the script. Goldwyn's first choice for Heathcliff was Ronald Coleman, but was unavailable. Merle Oberon suggest Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.. He tested, but badly. Robert Newton also tested, but Goldwyn thought he was too ugly. Olivier was brought to Wyler's attention. Olivier wasn't too excited to do it. He had been unsuccessful in Hollywood a few years earlier. He was also an accomplished theater actor in Britain and was having an intense affair with Vivien Leigh and did not want to be separated from her for three months. Leigh was offered the role of Isabella. She refused saying she would only play a lead role-Cathy or nothing. Olivier thought she would play a great Cathy, but Wyler didn't think so. In the end, Vivien was the one who told Olivier to do it. Wyler said she would never get as good a first role in America. That's a good one! She got the part of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind a few months later.
The part of Cathy was a little easier. Wyler wanted Bette Davis, whom he had worked with on the film Jezebel in 1938, but Goldwyn had Oberon in mind.
Charles MacArthur
Ben Hecht
Laurence Olivier .... Heathcliff
David Niven .... Edgar Linton
Flora Robson .... Ellen
Donald Crisp .... Dr. Kenneth
Geraldine Fitzgerald .... Isabella Linton
Hugh Williams .... Hindley
The part of Edgar Linton was assigned to David Niven who was a Goldwyn contract player. Niven has worked with Wyler before and it had been miserable. He figured that suspension was better then going through that experience again. Wyler took him to dinner to assure him he would calm down. Niven took the part, but Wyler made his life hell during production. He still delivered a moving performance as Edgar Linton.
Production started in December of 1938. Both Olivier and Oberon had difficult experiences with Wyler. Olivier was forced to a scene 30 times. Olivier exploded. "I've done it thirty different times, thirty different ways," he shouted. "How do you want me to do it?" "Better," Wyler replied. Furious, Olivier sneered, "I suppose this anemic little medium can't take great acting." Olivier realized he had much to learn about film acting and that he was suppose to learn from Wyler, not the other way around.
During the storm sequence Wyler pressured Oberon so much that her nerves were so strained that she had to be admitted to a hospital afterward.
Oliver and Oberon also didn't get along so well. Olivier resented her for playing the role that he though Vivien Leigh should have played. During a love scene Oberon accused Olivier of spitting on her. He called her an "amateur," and a "bloody idiot." Thankfully, you couldn't tell of this hostility onscreen.
Another pair not getting along was Wyler and Goldwyn. Goldwyn wanted full make-up and glamorous close-ups, even during the death scene. Wyler refused. Goldwyn also insisted that the ending have the ghost of Cathy and Heathcliff walking off into the clouds. Wyler again refused and Goldwyn brought in another director to shoot the scenes with doubles for Olivier and Oberon. One thing Goldwyn did back down from was renaming the film "Withering Heights." Wyler convinced him it would be stupid to rename a well known classic.
Wuthering Heights was not a popular movie. It did win the award for Best Film from The New York Critics over Gone With The Wind. It was nominated for eight Oscars, but only won one. Gone With The Wind swept the awards that year. Over the years it has gain popularity and has become one of the screen's all-time best love stories and one of the greatest films ever made. Goldwyn also said it was his favorite out of all the films he produced.
ACTOR -- Laurence Olivier {"Heathcliff"}
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -- Geraldine Fitzgerald {"Isabelle"}
ART DIRECTION -- James Basevi
* CINEMATOGRAPHY (Black-and-White) -- Gregg Toland
DIRECTING -- William Wyler
MUSIC (Original Score) -- Alfred Newman
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION -- Samuel Goldwyn Productions
WRITING (Screenplay) -- Charles MacArthur, Ben Hecht
-On set Goldwyn once pointed to Olivier and shouted This actor is the ugliest actor in pictures! This actor will ruin me! What a load that was!
-The movie only roughly covers the first 16 chapters of the book's 34.
-More along the lines of a goof. In the scene where Linton and Cathy are chatting on the lawn, it looks as though someone has moved through the shrubs over Cathy's shoulder.
