Greer Garson’s 1940 ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Portraits Highlight Hollywood’s Creative Liberties

The article discusses a collection of 20 portraits featuring Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet in the 1940 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ The film, starring Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy, marked a significant cinematic interpretation of Austen’s work, though it took notable creative liberties from the original 1813 novel. The production opted for elaborate Victorian-style gowns from the 1830s-1840s instead of historically accurate Regency-era costumes, reportedly reusing costumes from other productions like ‘Jezebel’ to save costs during World War II preparations. Garson, who was 36 at the time of the film’s release, portrayed Elizabeth as the eldest Bennet sister rather than Jane, adapting the character to fit her mature, leading-lady presence. The screenplay was co-written by Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin, drawing heavily from a 1936 Broadway adaptation by Helen Jerome, which resulted in a condensed, fast-paced comedy of manners that omitted major characters like the Gardiners and Georgiana Darcy. Despite these alterations, the film was a critical and commercial success, with Garson’s chemistry with Olivier and her vibrant performance earning widespread acclaim. The movie helped bridge Austen’s work to global audiences and solidified Garson’s status as a leading MGM actress, leading to her Academy Award-winning role in ‘Mrs. Miniver’ (1942). The article emphasizes the historical significance of this adaptation and its unique approach to the classic story, highlighting the creative decisions made by Hollywood during the 1940s.