LordDudley

The search for the actress to play Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind was a national phenomenon. This TV movie gives a marvelously entertaining depiction of that search. Casting of the stars is very clever, using both well known TV stars as well as unknowns in the various roles. Sharon Gless and Carrie Nye are wonderfully funny as Carole Lombard and Tallulah Bankhead, Barrie Youngfellow shines as Joan Crawford, and Tony Curtis makes an admirable David O. Selznick. Casting Morgan Brittany as Vivien Leigh and having her appear only at the very end of the film for maximum effect was inspired. An excellent slice of Hollywood lore.

Even though I haven't seen this movie in years, I still think it is the best version of Little Women I've ever seen, particularly for a TV movie. It was very well cast, was fairly faithful to the book, and contained good performances. Susan Dey and Meredith Baxter were excellent in their roles as Jo and Meg, and Robert Young, Dorothy McGuire and Greer Garson gave it class; an added extra is William Shatner as Prof. Bhaer. The care taken with costumes and other period details is obvious. It is an excellent production, and I highly recommend this version to anyone who has enjoyed the book. The other film versions are fine, too, but this one deserves more attention. What I don't understand is why this wonderful family film has not been made widely available to the public on video or DVD.