Vivien Leigh as Cynthia in 'Fire Over England'

1 portrait of Vivien Leigh

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Vivien Leigh as Cynthia in 'Fire Over England'

by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
Transferred from Central Office of Information, 1974
Photographs Collection
NPG x19527

Sitterback to top

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

Artistback to top

  • Howard Coster (1885-1959), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 9349 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This was the first of three films made by Leigh with Laurence Olivier. Flora Robson starred as Elizabeth I with Leigh as Cynthia, a lady-in-waiting, and Olivier as Michael Ingolby. Embarking on an illicit affair during filming they became known in the studio as 'the lovers'. Leigh recalled: 'I don't think I have lived quite as intensely ever since. I don't remember sleeping, ever; only every precious moment that we spent together.' The screenplay was adapted by Clemence Dane from A.E.W. Mason's novel about the English defeat of the Spanish Armada. Directed by William K. Howard and produced by Erich Pommer, this was Leigh's first film under contract to Alexander Korda, marking the beginning of a long friendship.

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Events of 1936back to top

Current affairs

Following the death of his father George V, Edward succeeds to the throne as King Edward VIII, but chooses to abdicate in order to marry the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Edward was the only monarch every to voluntarily relinquish the throne.

Art and science

The Spitfire, designed by Reginald Mitchell, has its maiden flight. The RAF and other allied forces used the plane extensively and to great effect during the Second World War.
Television broadcasting begins. Although the BBC had been transmitting television since 1930, regular service did not begin until 1936, when the 'BBC Television Service' (now BBC One) was broadcast from Alexandra Palace.

International

The Spanish Civil War begins. Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco, and supported by Italian and German fascist governments, rebelled against the Second Spanish Republic. The conflict lasted until 1939, and anticipated many of the features of the Second World War: fighting between Communists and Fascists, the rise of nationalism and the use of terror tactics against civilians.

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