Vivien Leigh’s last screen appearance, in the 1965 drama, Ship of Fools, was a triumph, but it also indicated severe signs of illnesses.
Producer and director Stanley Kramer, who cast Leigh, was initially unaware of her fragile mental and physical state. Later recounting her work, Kramer remembered her courage in taking on a difficult role, “She was ill, and the courage to go ahead, the courage to make the film—was almost unbelievable.”
Leigh’s performance was tinged by paranoia, resulting in outbursts that marred her relationships with the other actors, although both Simone Signoret and Lee Marvin were sympathetic and understanding.
In one unusual instance, during an attempted rape scene, Leigh became so distraught, hitting Marvin so hard with a spiked shoe that it left marks on his face.
Leigh won the L’Étoile de Cristal for her performance in a leading role for Ship of Fools.
In May 1967, Leigh was rehearsing with Michael Redgrave in Edward Albee’s play, “A Delicate Balance,” when her tuberculosis resurfaced. However, following several weeks of rest, she seemed to recover.
On the night of July 7, 1967, Merivale left Leigh as usual at their Eaton Square flat to perform in a play. He returned home just before midnight to find her asleep. About 30 minutes later (by now 8 July), he entered the bedroom and discovered Leigh’s body on the floor. She had been attempting to walk to the bathroom and, as her lungs were filled with liquid, she collapsed and suffocated.
Merivale first contacted her family and later was able to reach Olivier, who was receiving treatment for prostate cancer in a nearby hospital.
In his autobiography, Olivier described his “grievous anguish” as he visited Leigh’s residence; Merivale had moved her body onto the bed. Olivier paid his respects, and “stood and prayed for forgiveness for all the evils that had sprung up between us,” before helping Merivale make funeral arrangements. Olivier stayed on until her body was removed from the flat.
Leigh’s death was publicly announced on July 8, and honoring her death, the lights of all theatres in London were extinguished for an hour.
