Intimate and compelling documentary on the life and career of Leslie Howard (1893-1943)
Turning a spotlight on an actor who is sometimes eclipsed by his role in Gone with the Wind. The irony of Howard's involvement in the ultimate Hollywood blockbuster is that in his time, Leslie carved one of the most unique careers in 1930's Hollywood, taking control of his films in a way few of his contemporaries would dream of. A man of strong principals despite an outward appearance of vagueness, he took a stand for other actors, most famously Humphrey Bogart in The Petrified Forest, less famously William Gargan and Ilka Chase on The Animal Kingdom. Later he insisted on returning to England as World War 2 began, so he could contribute to the war effort - a role which made him an enemy and possible target of the Nazis. A compelling, intimate documentary, boasting much unseen footage of Howard and those he knew.—Tom Hamilton
Leslie Howard was one of Hollywood's top stars of the 1930's. a matinee idol of stage and screen who was reluctantly cast as the object of Vivienne Leigh's unrequited love in 'Gone with the Wind' Yet Howard's talents extended beyond acting embracing satirical writing, production, direction and later morale booster. He loved American culture, yet remained devoted to the country of his birth. It's a fascinating and ultimately moving story, yet one that's been neglected, until now. In 'The Man who Gave a Damn', director Thomas Hamilton and presenter Derek Partridge bring the enigmatic Howard alive through the stories and memories of those closest to, enhanced with astonishing unseen footage, rescued from the brink of decomposition.
The professional and personal life of screen and stage actor, producer and director Leslie Howard is presented through archive footage - including Howard's own home movies - and interviews. The presentation is largely in chronological order to his untimely and premature death in 1943 when the commercial passenger airplane in which he was traveling was shot down by the Nazis. Beyond the resume of his film work and stage credits, certain aspects of his being and life are highlighted: his quality as an actor which made him a star unlike most other leading men of his era; his long lasting but unusual marriage to Ruth Martin, the longevity despite his known infidelity, most specifically with actress Merle Oberon and actress/production assistant Violette Cunnington aka Suzanne Clair; and speculation as to why the Nazis targeted his flight, and the young life that was saved in the process of that flight. An extended segment is dedicated to Howard's arguably most famous role, but one that is just as arguably not his best role, that of Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind (1939).—Huggo
