As the curtain falls on Tennessee Williams' iconic play A Streetcar Named Desire, there's a moment that sends shivers down the spine—a mirror shatters during a heated confrontation between Stanley and Blanche. This isn’t just some stage prop breaking; it’s symbolic of Stanley’s brutal attack on his sister-in-law and hints at Blanche’s fragile grip on reality unraveling. It’s raw, it’s intense, and it’s unforgettable.
But here’s the kicker—Vivien Leigh, the legendary actress who brought Blanche to life, flat-out refused to break that mirror. Why? Superstition, pure and simple. "No actor worth their salt would risk seven years of bad luck," explains Sam Staggs, author of When Blanche Met Brando: The Scandalous Story of "A Streetcar Named Desire", in an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly. To keep the production rolling, director Elia Kazan got creative. He called in a prop man to handle the job. "They had to smash 11 mirrors to get the scene just right—77 years of bad luck, according to Kazan’s joke," Staggs shares with a laugh.
Despite the superstitions, the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece didn’t seem cursed at all. Released in 1951, the movie became a box office smash and is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The film swept the Oscars, with Vivien, Karl Malden, and Kim Hunter all taking home golden statuettes. Marlon Brando, who gave a career-defining performance, was nominated but lost to Humphrey Bogart for The African Queen. Still, there’s no denying that this movie turned Brando into a household name, cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s greatest stars.
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When it came time to adapt Streetcar for the big screen, most of the original Broadway cast reprised their roles. However, Jessica Tandy, who originated the role of Blanche, wasn’t asked back. "Jessica didn’t have that same mix of vulnerability, sex appeal, and tragic destiny that Vivien exuded on screen," Staggs explains. Other big names like Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Jennifer Jones, Mary Martin, and Tallulah Bankhead were considered for the role, but Vivien Leigh was the perfect fit.
A Hollywood Reunion
Despite any potential jealousy over casting choices, the cast of Streetcar remained tight-knit and professional. "They all adored Vivien. She was married to Laurence Olivier, the power couple of the era—like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, but actually better actors," Staggs reveals. At the time, Vivien was at the height of her talent, though she would later battle mental illness. "Everyone was deeply moved by her commitment to delivering such a powerful performance," director Elia Kazan reflected.
Even Mickey Kuhn, the youngest member of the cast who played a sailor, cherished working with Vivien again. Eleven years prior, they had worked together in Gone With the Wind, where Mickey portrayed Beau Wilkes. Vivien took the time to mentor the young actor, asking her assistant to give them some private time to reminisce. "We sat together for about half an hour, and I was so nervous I could barely speak!" Mickey, now 88, recalls in an exclusive chat with Closer. "Still, I’m proud to say I’m the only actor who worked with her in both her Academy Award-winning performances."
For everyone involved, A Streetcar Named Desire became a career-defining moment. Kim Hunter, who played Stella, remembers reading the script and realizing its potential. "I knew it was a great play, but I didn’t fully grasp how monumental it would become," she admitted later.
–Reporting by Katie Bruno
