TV and Movies

[They Call Me MR Wilkes]

While undeniably glamorous and certainly film stars, I don't consider Leigh and Olivier to be a "power" couple within the Hollywood system.  

Fairbanks and Pickford, most definitely during their heyday, particularly with the creation of United Artists Studios.  During the 1920s they were absolutely Hollywood's "It Couple."  Their own studio gave them complete artistic and financial control of their careers. 

Olivier and Leigh were really not that influential and powerful within the system.   In fact, Olivier was unable to secure roles for Vivien in Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca, all of which she coveted.  Guess it depends on what one means by "power couple."

In the 1930s I would give the title to Norma Shearer and Irving Thalberg.

[Lakelife62]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@qbetzforreal wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Oznell  You say, "while it lasted".  What happened to them?

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@Kachina624- Their careers floundered at the end of the silent picture era, he strayed, they separated and finally divorced.

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@qbetzforreal.  Ah, the usual Hollywood ending.  Thanks for the response.

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Whaaaat? Those things never happened in the good old days! It only happens now with the godless, sex crazed, woke pinkos in Hollywood.  Blasphemy!

[lgfan]

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@They Call Me MR Wilkes wrote:

While undeniably glamorous and certainly film stars, I don't consider Leigh and Olivier to be a "power" couple within the Hollywood system.  

Fairbanks and Pickford, most definitely during their heyday, particularly with the creation of United Artists Studios.  During the 1920s they were absolutely Hollywood's "It Couple."  Their own studio gave them complete artistic and financial control of their careers. 

Olivier and Leigh were really not that influential and powerful within the system.   In fact, Olivier was unable to secure roles for Vivien in Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca, all of which she coveted.  Guess it depends on what one means by "power couple."

In the 1930s I would give the title to Norma Shearer and Irving Thalberg.

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What I meant by a power couple is that they were memorable.  They both made incredible, memorable movies.  They both won Oscars and were also considered theater actors.

[beckyb1012]

I read the below article about Mary Pickford back when it came out in 2020.  Mary was had a very good head on her shoulder not just acting talent.

https://americanbusinesshistory.org/the-ultimate-rags-to-riches-story-mary-pickford/

Getting an award in 1976.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@qbetzforreal wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Oznell  You say, "while it lasted".  What happened to them?

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@Kachina624- Their careers floundered at the end of the silent picture era, he strayed, they separated and finally divorced.

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@qbetzforreal.  Ah, the usual Hollywood ending.  Thanks for the response.

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@Kachina624   @qbetzforreal   @Lakelife62 

Well, since the divorce rate for NON-Hollywood couples fluctuates around 50%, depending on the economy, it's likely the entertainment industry divorce rate would be much higher ... for whatever the reason might be.   

A lot of "regular" women won't divorce a cheating husband because of their money situation.

To me, anyway, it seems more likely a successful woman would be more likely to divorce if she has a good income, and isn't dependent on the husband to survive.  

[Kachina624]

@Tinkrbl44.  Indeed, I personally found that to be true.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@deepwaterdotter wrote:

As current 'power' couples go, George and Amal Clooney.

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@deepwaterdotter 

Good choice ... and ITA.   I'm glad George found the love of his life and became a daddy.  

[stevieb]

Amal Clooney? Hardly. She's a lawyer. She has nothing to do with movie making other than being married to George. It seems the couples being touted were both involved in the entertainment industry. 

[on the bay]

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@mspatmac wrote:

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

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I thought of them right away too

[candyagain]

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Understated but noteworthy Hollywood couple.