Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 3, 1994 TAG: 9408030046
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE DUFFY KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For at least the first night of its eight-hour, four-day run this November, CBS's lavish miniseries sequel to ``Gone With the Wind'' should be a critic-proof hit.
But that doesn't mean ``Scarlett'' is a guaranteed sure thing.
Not with the epic Hollywood ghosts of the original ``GWTW'' hovering in the air, especially those of Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, who became certified cultural icons in their pop mythic roles as Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler.
``Scarlett'' is based on a best-selling - though critically lambasted - sequel to the late Margaret Mitchell's beloved classic. This long-awaited project's executive producer, Robert Halmi Sr., previously proved his ability to stylishly and intelligently strike a television chord with ``Lonesome Dove.''
But ``Dove'' didn't come loaded with the cosmic baggage that is attached to ``Scarlett.''
No one senses that more than Joanne Whalley-Kilmer and Timothy Dalton, the British actors who will be tilting at the windmills of our shared ``GWTW'' memories by playing Scarlett and Rhett.
``I think it definitely is daunting,'' said Whalley-Kilmer, best known for her portrayal of Christine Keeler in ``Scandal.''
``We had some big shoes to fill, as it were. But at a certain point, you just have to leap in and do it.''
The extremely long shadow of Clark Gable's Rhett is no less intimidating to Dalton, who has some previous experience in following a legend. He has played James Bond in ``Living Daylights'' and ``License to Kill,'' taking over a role that was originally created and most memorably played by Sean Connery.
``You've got to be crazy to do it,'' Dalton said. ``You've got to be perverse, masochistic, self-destructive and all that.''
But like Whalley-Kilmer, Dalton said that you can't dither and mope.
``We went out and did the best we could,'' the actor said.
Filmed on location in England, Charleston, S.C., and Ireland, ``Scarlett'' focuses on the decades following the Civil War.
Emotionally combustible Scarlett, still a feverish mix of immaturity, passion and indomitable pride, is battling to rebuild her beloved Tara, restore her besmirched reputation and reclaim the one great love of her life: Rhett Butler.
Spurned by Rhett in her attempts at a romantic reunion, Scarlett eventually seeks solace in her family's heritage, settling in Ireland and becoming caught up in the glittery duplicity of London's high society.
``I am not making a remake of ``Gone With the Wind,'' Halmi said. ``I am taking two incredible characters and their lives and taking it across the next step.''
To put it another way, which Halmi did several times for skeptical TV critics underwhelmed by a few brief ``Scarlett'' scenes screened here last week: ``This has its own life, its own characters, its own locations. It's not `Gone With the Wind.'''
More than anything, added Halmi and Whalley-Kilmer, ``Scarlett'' will present the emotional growth and maturing of Scarlett O'Hara.
``In `Gone With the Wind,' she's incredibly selfish,'' said Whalley-Kilmer, who is married to American actor Val Kilmer (``Tombstone'').
``She's ruthless, she's very spoiled, she's very stubborn. She doesn't take any time to imagine what anyone else might feel about what she's doing.''
But our tough, demanding Scarlett won't become a wimpy, submissive Scarlett. ``She doesn't lose her drive and her power,'' Whalley-Kilmer assured. ``But she does become kinder and more compassionate.''
Scarlett also gets enmeshed in a murder, which is a whole new embellishment on ``Scarlett'' the book.
``Anytime you dramatize a book, you have to be visual and interpret feelings that maybe are not in the written word,'' said Halmi, not really explaining the addition of a homicide plot twist.
Anyhow, it is pretty near impossible to deny the primal allure of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. Even a TV sequel possesses the potential for some undeniable sizzle.
``It's just a great, great role,'' Whalley-Kilmer enthused. ``And it's a great big, rip-roaring melodramatic adventure. It's great fun.''
``I thought it (`GWTW') was a wonderful movie,'' Dalton said. ``What shocked me about it is, what an extraordinary soap opera the movie was.
``Here was this bit of legend and myth in cinema history, and it was like the original and the greatest `Dallas' and `Dynasty.' ''
Exactly. It's not like Margaret Mitchell created a work of classic literature. But she did write one of the 20th century's great romantic page-turners.
``Gone With the Wind,'' the movie, has endured. And so have the indelible personas of Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable as Scarlett and Rhett.
``I know there's going to be a comparison, there's no question,'' said Dalton. ``But I can't compete, I can just do. And it will stand or fall.''
by CNB