 In 1938 Olivier joined Richardson to film the spy thriller Q Planes , released the following year . Frank Nugent , the critic for The New York Times , thought Olivier was " not quite so good " as Richardson , but was " quite acceptable " . In late 1938 , lured by a salary of $ 50 @,@ 000 , the actor travelled to Hollywood to take the part of Heathcliff in the 1939 film Wuthering Heights , alongside Merle Oberon and David Niven . In less than a month Leigh had joined him , explaining that her trip was " partially because Larry 's there and partially because I intend to get the part of Scarlett O 'Hara " — the role in Gone with the Wind in which she was eventually cast . Olivier did not enjoy making Wuthering Heights , and his approach to film acting , combined with a dislike for Oberon , led to tensions on set . The director , William Wyler , was a hard taskmaster , and Olivier learned to remove what Billington described as " the carapace of theatricality " to which he was prone , replacing it with " a palpable reality " . The resulting film was a commercial and critical success that earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor , and created his screen reputation . Caroline Lejeune , writing for The Observer , considered that " Olivier 's dark , moody face , abrupt style , and a certain fine arrogance towards the world in his playing are just right " in the role , while the reviewer for The Times wrote that Olivier " is a good embodiment of Heathcliff ... impressive enough on a more human plane , speaking his lines with real distinction , and always both romantic and alive . " 
 In 1938 Olivier joined Richardson to film the spy thriller Q Planes , released the following year . Frank Nugent , the critic for The New York Times , thought Olivier was " not quite so good " as Richardson , but was " quite acceptable " . In late 1938 , lured by a salary of $ 50 @,@ 000 , the actor <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>travelled</mark></a> to Hollywood to take the part of Heathcliff in the 1939 film Wuthering Heights , alongside Merle Oberon and David Niven . In less than a month Leigh <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> joined him , explaining that her trip was " partially because Larry 's there and partially because I intend to get the part of Scarlett O 'Hara " — the role in Gone with the Wind in which she was eventually cast . Olivier did not enjoy making Wuthering Heights , and his approach to film acting , combined with a dislike for Oberon , led to tensions on set . The director , William Wyler , was a hard taskmaster , and Olivier learned to remove what Billington described as " the carapace of theatricality " to which he was prone , replacing it with " a palpable reality " . The resulting film was a commercial and critical success <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>that</mark></a>earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor , and created his screen reputation . Caroline Lejeune , writing for The Observer , considered that " Olivier <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>dark , moody face , abrupt style , and a certain fine arrogance towards the world in his playing are just right " in the role , while the reviewer for The Times wrote that Olivier " is a good embodiment of Heathcliff ... impressive enough on a more human plane , speaking his lines with real distinction , and always both romantic and alive . " 
In 1938 Olivier joined Richardson to film the spy thriller Q Planes , released the following year . Frank Nugent , the critic for da New York Times , thought Olivier was " not quite soo good " as Richardson , but was " quite acceptable " . In late 1938 , lured by a salary of $ 50 @,@ 000 , the actor traveled to Hollywood to take the part of Heathcliff in tda1939 film Wuthering Heights , alongside Merle Oberon and David Niven . In less than a month Leigh done joined em , explaining that her trip was " partially cuz Larry 's there and partially because I intend to get thdaart of Scarlett O 'Hara " — the role in Gone with thedand in which she was eventually cast . Olivier did not enjoy making Wuthering Heights , and his approach to film acting , combined witt a dislike fir Oberon , led to tensions on set . The daector , William Wyler , was a hard taskmaster , and Olivier learned to remove what Billington described as " the cdapace of theatricality " to which he was prone , replacing it with " a palpable reality " . The resulting film was a commercial and critical success earned him a nomination fa the Academy Award ffaBest Actor , and created his screen reputation . Caroline Lejeune , writing fofirhe Observer , considered dat " Olivier  dark , moody face , abrupt style , and a certain fine arrogance towards the world in his playin r just right " in the roda, while the reviewer fofahe Times wrote tdatOlivier " is a good embodiment of Heathcliff ... impressive enough on a more human plane , speakin his lines w/ real distinction , and always both romantic and alive . "