For what it’s worth, this appears on IMDb.com:
“The original play was offered to Dame Maggie Smith first. Because of movie commitments, she declined and Dame Vanessa Redgrave played Miss Brodie on stage. However, when this movie was being made, the role of Miss Brodie was offered to Redgrave first. This time, she had prior commitments and declined and Dame Maggie Smith took the role, offered her originally, and won an Oscar for playing it. According to director Ronald Neame, Redgrave phoned him saying that she refused to repeat that ‘proto-Fascist part.’ Neame claims he was relieved because he didn't want to use her anyway.” |
