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Alicia Rhett

Alicia Rhett

Kay Brown discovered Alicia Rhett during the first "Invasion of the South." Later, during his trip South, George Cukor had her read for the part of Melanie. He was impressed by her poise and charm, but as his teletype to Selznick (below) shows, he did not feel she had the acting experience to play the role. She was eventually cast as India Wilkes, Ashley's sister.



MARCH 22, 1937

TO DOS FROM MR. CUKOR

I THINK ALICIA RHETT HAS CHARM AND THE IDEAL LOOKS AND QUALITY FOR
MELANIE BUT I THINK ITS A COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT PART AND WILL
PROBABLY REQUIRE AND ACTRESS. RHETT HAS A REALITY ABOUT HER THAT IS
VERY ENGAGING. I THINK SHE WOULD BE AWFULLY GOOD AS ONE OF THE GIRLS
IN THE BARBEQUE. THE LITTLE ROBERT GIRL HAS HUMOR AND MIGHT ALSO BE
GOOD TO HAVE A LINE OR SO IN THE BARBEQUE SCENE IF YOU THINKS THE
PUBLICITY WORTH IT. THE FALLIGANT GIRL IS ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD AND
LOOKS AS THOUGH SHE HAD A BAD CASE OF ADENOIDS.


SELZNICK INTERNATIONAL PICTURES, INC.

NEW YORK CITY

Inter-Office Communication

TO: D.O.S. DATE: 12/14/36

FROM: K.B. SUBJECT: ALICIA RHETT
(Charleston)

This is one of the sheltered Southern types, as you can see
from her haircut. Incidentally, this hair is a most mag-
nificent red and her eyes are dark brown. She gave a lovely
reading of Melanie, insofar as any amateur can read Melanie.
The same remark holds true for Betty Anne Moisson.

Can't tell.
D.O.S. 12/21/36