A Woman to Know: Merle Oberon
Without security it is difficult for a woman to look or feel beautiful. — Merle Oberon
Without security it is difficult for a woman to look or feel beautiful. — Merle Oberon
(image via Tumblr)
There are three versions of Merle’s story: the one she told everyone, the one her agents told everyone, and then, the truth.
The official studio story said Merle was born in Tasmania to a white family and then educated in India; Merle herself claimed Tasmania as her homeland and would take “homecoming trips” to great fanfare from locals. In reality, Merle grew up in Calcutta, the biracial daughter in a half-caste family. Once she made her way to Hollywood, Merle learned to hide her true heritage and even gave interviews saying her dark complexion was merely sun worship from her frequent trips to Hawaii and beach cities.
She also used her “exotic” looks to her advantage, playing parts in “The Scarlet Pimpernel” and earning an Oscar nod for her role as “The Dark Angel.” Later, her portrayal of the passionate Cathy in 1939’s “Wuthering Heights” cemented her Hollywood status. But as her star rose, Merle grew ever more terrified of her secret being revealed. When her mother would visit her, Merle told her to pretend she was the maid.
Eventually, the lie proved too much for her to bear. She married five times, terrified each new husband would expose her to the press. She delayed childbirth for fear her baby would reveal her dark secret. When she died at age 68 in 1979, she maintained the established story of her Tasmanian childhood, which wouldn’t be revealed until a tell-all biography hit shelves four years after her death.
Add to your library list:
Queenie (Michael Korda)
Princess Merle: The Romantic Life of Merle Oberon (Charles Higham and Roy Moseley)
Read more:
Merle Oberon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (The Los Angeles Times)
The Fascinating Old Hollywood Story (Vanity Fair)
The Trouble With Merle (Variety)
Green-Eyed Legend Returns to Hollywood (The New York Times)
Asian Performers Are Worthy of Oscar Recognition, Too (The Hollywood Reporter)
Hear more:
Passing for White: Merle Oberon (You Must Remember This)
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