Classic film star’s work included progressive film detailing mental illness

With Olivia de Havilland’s passing on Sunday, Tuesday Newsday would like to remember her and her work, particularly in “The Snake Pit” (1948).

This film adaptation of Mary Jane Ward’s groundbreaking novel put Olivia de Havilland in the role as the seemingly schizophrenic Virginia. Ms. de Havilland showcases the vulnerability and fear of encroaching mental illness. The film would be the first to, at the time, showcase what a mental institution actually looked like and, for 1948, was progressive in its detailing of mental illness as affecting anyone.

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