Vivien Leigh as Lady Hamilton in 'That Hamilton Woman'

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Vivien Leigh as Lady Hamilton in 'That Hamilton Woman'

by Robert Coburn, or by Laszlo Willinger
bromide print, 1941
22 in. x 18 in. (560 mm x 457 mm)
Purchased, 1999
Photographs Collection
NPG x128515

Sitterback to top

  • Vivien Leigh (1913-1967), Actress. Sitter associated with 147 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Robert Coburn (1900-1990), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 6 portraits.
  • Laszlo Willinger (1909-1989), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 14 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Following an unsuccessful American stage production of Romeo and Juliet in 1940, Leigh and Olivier were asked by Alexander Korda, then in Hollywood, to take the starring roles in Lady Hamilton. Filmed just weeks after they were married, with Olivier as Horatio Nelson and Leigh as his mistress Emma Hamilton, the film was promoted as featuring 'The Year's Most Exciting Team of Screen Lovers!'

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1941back to top

Current affairs

The Blitz continues with sustained Luftwaffe attacks on British cities. As the bombing went on the urban population got used to the black out, the air raid sirens and nights spent in shelter. The idea emerged (to some extent a myth) of the 'spirit of the Blitz' where people pulled together united, disregarding traditional class and social divisions.

Art and science

Frank Whittle demonstrates the first test-flight of a plane powered by jet propulsion. Although the German, Hans von Ohain, built the first jet plane, Whittle was the first to patent a design for the jet engine (in 1930), and his subsequent work helped to advance the technology and made Britain leaders in the field.

International

The Soviet Union and America join the Allies. The Soviet Union was forced to switch sides after Hitler attacked in June 1941, reneging the Soviet-Nazi pact. Six months later the US Navy was attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbour. The following day the USA declared war on Japan, and three days later Germany and Italy declared war on America.

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