VIVIEN LEIGH, who plays the part of Scarlett O'Hara, was born in Darjeeling, India. Her father was French, her mother Irish. She attended London's public schools, a French convent in Italy, and finishing schools in Paris and Bavaria. She joined the Academy of Dramatic Art in London when 19. Her first legitimate stage role was in "The Green Sash," followed by "The Mask of Virtue," "The Happy Hypocrite," and "Henry VIII." Fire Over England was her first major picture, followed by Dark Journey, Storm in a Teacup, St. Martin's Lane and A Yank At Oxford. Meanwhile on the London stage she played "Bats In the Belfry," "Hamlet," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Her casting as Scarlett happened fortuitously. After all efforts and tests had been made with the issue still in doubt, David O. Selznick actually started filming his picture without his heroine. Miss Leigh was a guest witness at the opening scene when the producer was struck by her resemblance to the Scarlett as described by Margaret Mitchell, bringing to a close a two year controversy over a selection.

In making her Hollywood debut for Selznick Intl., she went into the most widely discussed role in the history of motion pictures. Literally thousands of actresses and non-professionals were considered for the role.