LITTLE was known of Tasmania, a little island off New Zealand, until two beautiful people from that isle were put under contract by Hollywood studios.

The lady was considered one of the silver screen?s loveliest faces, while the gentleman was reputed to be the Tasmanian devil incarnate?at the very least, he was certainly a rogue.

Merle Oberon entered the film capital via London. A petite, dark-eyed beauty, she was courted by many, well-heeled suitors before she wisely gave her heart to producer Alexander Korda, who got her to act in British movies before she conquered Hollywood.

Chemistry

Oberon was noted for her exotic looks and is best remembered alongside the youthful Laurence Olivier in ?Wuthering Heights.? The duo is considered one of cinema?s most romantic pairs, although it is said that the two hated each other during the shooting of the film?their onscreen chemistry didn?t exist after ?Cut!? was called.

Oberon exhibited wrathful strains of the Tasmanian devil when rubbed the wrong way. The future Sir Olivier obviously did. He referred to his costar as ?pockmarked.? Ironically, ?Wuthering Heights? is considered one of the most romantic products of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Soon after Oberon retired from a colorful film career, it was alleged that her Indian maid, who was her constant companion?was her mother!

Practical jokes

Errol Flynn was always a gentleman onscreen, but was reputedly a rogue and reckless daredevil out of camera range. He was allegedly involved in prohibited drugs, underage sex partners and playing practical jokes at the expense of his costars.

It is said that the actor would force ?French kisses? on his hapless, constant costar, Olivia de Havilland, despite the Hays office?s rules on such matters. He professed his love for her, but she never gave his advances any encouragement.

It?s also said that, while starring opposite Bette Davis in ?Essex and Elizabeth,? naughty Errol would purposely eat onions before their romantic scenes. Naturally, the imperious actress loathed him?but Flynn enjoyed ?humanizing? the drama queen!