Laurence Olivier (1907-89) was perhaps the last great actor in the old tradition of heroic self-indulgence. He played every part with a frank enjoyment of theatricality which made the experience even more memorable for his audience. In the 1930s he established himself as a wide-ranging Shakespearean actor - alternating Romeo and Mercutio with John Gielgud at the New Theatre in 1935. By the end of the decade he had also demonstrated a powerful screen personality in "Wuthering Heights" (1939)....
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