MANILA, Philippines?The first set of foreign recruits to Hollywood was made up of British actors. Producers decided that it was a good idea to ?import? them, since American movies were prone to telling stories that had European settings.

So, the likes of John and Lionel Barrymore competed with British actors for roles. One of the most outstanding British imports was Laurence Olivier, who had already distinguished himself onstage in the Bard?s popular plays.

Not only was Olivier an exceptional thespian, he also had dark looks that naturally lent themselves to brooding characters like Heathcliff in ?Wuthering Heights.?

Period dramas

Hollywood didn?t quite know what to do with the classically-trained Olivier. He seemed suited only for period dramas or costume epics. So, after a while, the actor returned to his homeland, where he acted in and directed Shakespearean productions. Eventually, he won an Academy Award for his film adaptation of ?Hamlet.?

In 1940, David O. Selznick discovered the diminutive British actress, Vivien Leigh, for his grand ?Gone With the Wind? production, in which another import, Leslie Howard, was also cast.

Dozens of Brits were imported by Hollywood because the film capital churned out many stories that required the use of the Queen?s language. Other stellar imports included redheads, Greer Garson and Deborah Kerr, who both proved their mettle in dramatic and comedic roles. Finding fame at about the same time was Robert Donat, who costarred with Garson in ?Goodbye, Mr. Chips.?

Footsteps

Jean Simmons also became a Hollywood regular after starring in ?Hamlet? and ?Great Expectations? with another Briton, Alec Guiness. Other notable imports were Roddy McDowall and Edmund Purdom.

As for the young and dashing Roger Moore, it took him more than two decades to achieve fame, which he did when he took over the coveted James Bond role that catapulted Welsh actor, Sean Connery, to worldwide superstardom.

Even colorful Hollywood icon, Elizabeth Taylor, was born a Brit. She only became a resident of the film capital when her family moved to Hollywood after World War II. Eventually, the spectacularly beautiful British import became one of Hollywood?s greatest film stars ever!