- Olivia de Havilland, The Strawberry Blonde, 1940. According to the LA Times, August 31, 1940, Brenda Marshall was tested for Amy – James Cagney’s co-star. She was married to William Holden during 1941-1971.
- Mary Astor, The Maltese Falcon, 1940. Who didn’t want to be Brigid O’Shaugnessy: “I’ve been bad, worse than you could know.” She was the film noir Scarlett O’Hara and three of the potential Scarlett women were in the mix: Marshall, Joan Bennett, Paulette Goddard. Also delighted at being seen were: Ingrid Bergman, Olivia de Havilland, Betty Field, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Janet Gaynor, Rita Hayworth. The rest were livid about not being good enough for bad Brigid… and her just desserts. “If you’re a good girl, you’ll be out in 20 years,” Bogie’s Sam Spade tells her. “I’ll be waiting for you. If they hang you, I’ll always remember you.”
- Susan Peters, The Big Shot, 1941. Otherwise known as Escape From Crime. Marshall was first choice for our heroine, Ruth Carter. Then, director Lewis Seiler preferred Nancy Coleman – until she took over Olivia de Havilland’s role in The Gay Sisters. A lucky break for Peters.
- Ellen Drew, The Baron of Arizona, 1949. Ten years earlier, Anatole Litvak was due to direct Marshall and Edward G Robinson in what was then called Prince of Imposters. Sam Fuller made his version with Drew and Vincent Price… as the (real) master swindler James Addison Reavis jailed for trying to steal most of Arizona by forgery. Marshall was Mrs William Holden during 1941-1971.
Birth year: 1915Death year: 1992Other name: Casting Calls: 4