Joan Fontaine, Star of Golden Age of Hollywood
The Heroine in Rebecca, Jane Eyre, Suspicion, and Frenchman's Creek
Jul 3, 2009
During the Golden Age of Hollywood the 1930s and 1940s, two of the brightest stars in Hollywood have always been Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine. Many viewers were unaware that these two actresses are sisters whose work defines the Golden Age of Hollywood.
While Olivia starred in famous films with leading men Errol Flynn and Clark Gable, younger sister Joan held her own by starring with stars such as Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Laurence Olivier.
Joan Fontaine’s Family Background
Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland was born October 22, 1917, younger sister to Olivia. The sisters were born to a British patent attorney and his wife, living in Tokyo, Japan. After the divorce of their parents, Olivia and Joan moved to California, where they both began to pursue acting careers. Feeling separated from her family, Joan eventually decided upon the last name of “Fontaine,” upon the advice of a fortune teller. The name also came from her step-father.
Joan’s Graduation trom “B” Movies to Famous Movies
Appearing as Joan Burfield, her first film was No More Ladies (1935), followed by ten other films, including A Damsel in Distress (1937) with Fred Astaire. Then, she began a string of films that turned her into a star.
Gunga Din (1939) with Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
In this comedy/drama mix, Joan played a small, but memorable role as the proper British fiancé being ditched by a wayward British soldier [Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.]
Rebecca (1940) with Laurence Olivier, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Daphne du Maurier novel.
In this film, the role of “I,” the un-named heroine, catapulted Joan to stardom. She was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Audiences were taken with Joan’s ability to convey a shy, quiet, intelligent young woman in love with a handsome but mysterious man with an unhappy past.
Suspicion (1941) with Cary Grant, also directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Again playing the part of a shy young woman, this time an heiress married to a n’er-do-well con man, Joan won her first Academy Award for Best Actress.
Jane Eyre (1944) with Orson Welles.
In this Charlotte Bronte classic, Joan played the title role, of a shy governess whose quiet spirit enchants Master Rochester [Orson Welles] and helps him overcome his past.
Frenchman's Creek (1944) from Daphne du Maurier novel.
Here Joan broke from the “shy” roles and played Dona St. Columb, a spirited Restoration lady, whose boorish husband and flirtatious friend cause her to leave the “froth and frivolity” of London. Accompanied by her children and their nurse, Dona takes the children to the family manor home on the cliffs of Cornwall, where she falls in love with a French pirate who is also the target of angry wealthy citizens.
Joan Fontaine’s Popularity Continues to Grow, with New Generations of Fans
These roles and others continue to attract new fans of Joan and her talent. She has leapt into the Information Age, and her image and achievements are seen on the Internet, on such venues as MySpace and YouTube.
Joan’s page on MySpace modestly reads: “Joan Fontaine – 91 - Female – Carmel, California.” An assortment of video clips from Joan’s movies are available to view.
Contacting Joan Fontaine
Some fan sites have posted information about sending Joan Fontaine a note or autograph request. Here is one address: Joan Fontaine, PO Box 222600, Carmel, CA 93922. The site notes: “Since Ms. Fontaine has no studio affiliation these days she now has to charge $5.00 to cover the rising costs of sending her own 10X8 photos.”
A movie star from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Joan Fontaine is still as well-known and popular as ever.
References
Fontaine, Joan. No Bed of Roses. 1978.
“Joan Fontaine, Elegant Star of the Classic Era.”
"Joan Fontaine, Gallery, Mailing Address."
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