Henry Fonda : Would've made a better Ashely in GWTW

Would've made a better Ashely in GWTW

The casting was perfect in GONE WITH THE WIND, except for prissy bitch Leslie Howard (even Margaret Mitchell agreed).

In the novel, you believe Scarlett's longing for Ashley, and she turned him into a metaphor for the pre-war Old South, now lost. But because of the casting of Mr Howard, Ashley Wilkes became an effete pantywaist whom you assume Scarlett keeps mooning over just to drive Rhett nuts.

And he was te first one cast! And he was the only one who didn't want to do the movie!

Anyway, Henry Fonda would have been a much better choice to play the haunted, patrician Ashley.

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Re: Would've made a better Ashely in GWTW

I don't think so, but to each his/her own. Personally, I think Ashley needed to look the part of a wimp and Leslie Howard had that look about him. Henry Fonda just didn't have that "whipped" look about him, he looked like an actual guy - an equal to Scarlett's vivacious spirit.



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Re: Would've made a better Ashely in GWTW

Leslie Howard was perfect casting as Ashley. David Selznick really wanted him for the part and he fits the description of the character. Howard's gentlemanly style provided the counter balance to Gable's rugged style.

But IF Howard was unable [he was unwilling], I think Henry Fonda would have been great. I also think Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott would also have been fine choices. Fonda could portray the sensitivity of Ashley Wilkes really well.

Re: Would've made a better Ashely in GWTW

Anyone would have been better for Ashley than Leslie Howard. No woman on their right mind would obsess over a man like Leslie for over a decade.

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Re: Would've made a better Ashely in GWTW


No woman on their right mind would obsess over a man like Leslie for over a decade.


Actually, in the real world Leslie Howard had a reputation as a ladies man if not an outright womanizer.

Read the book, which depicts Ashley Wilkes as the wishy-washy character that he is, despite some redeeming qualities.

The strongest argument against casting Howard as Wilkes, IMHO, is that he was simply too old for the part -- and I'm sure that's the main reason that Howard, himself, was reluctant to take the role. But otherwise, I think Howard's acting was spot on in GWTW.

Henry Fonda would have been a worthy alternative, as already noted, but MY pick would have been James Stewart as Ashley Wilkes. Nevertheless, nothing was wrong with Howard other than being at least 15 years too old.



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