Meaning: This quote by Olivia de Havilland sheds light on the dynamics of the Hollywood film industry during the Golden Age. When she refers to being "like a stock company at Warners," she is alluding to the system of studio contracts that was prevalent during that era. In the 1930s and 1940s, major studios like Warner Bros. had actors and actresses under exclusive contracts, effectively making them part of a stable of talent that the studio could cast in various projects.

The phrase "We didn't know any of the stars from the other studios" reflects the insular nature of the studio system. The actors and actresses under contract with a particular studio often worked predominantly with the same group of people, including directors, writers, and fellow performers. This created a sense of familiarity and camaraderie within the studio, but it also meant that they had limited interaction with performers from other studios.

The studio system not only controlled the careers of actors and actresses but also heavily influenced the types of roles they played and the public personas they cultivated. Under the studio contract system, performers were often typecast in specific roles that suited the studio's image and market demands. This limited their opportunities to explore a diverse range of characters and genres.

Olivia de Havilland herself was a prominent figure in the studio system, having been under contract with Warner Bros. during the 1930s and 1940s. She starred in numerous films for the studio, including the iconic role of Melanie Hamilton in "Gone with the Wind." Despite her success within the studio system, de Havilland later challenged the restrictive practices of the industry through a landmark legal battle that altered the contractual rights of performers. Her lawsuit against Warner Bros., which resulted in the "De Havilland Law," played a significant role in dismantling the studio contract system and empowering actors to have more control over their careers.

In today's film industry, the studio system of the Golden Age has largely given way to a more decentralized and fluid model. Actors and actresses have greater freedom to work across different studios and production companies, and they are not bound by long-term exclusive contracts. This shift has allowed performers to pursue a wider array of roles and projects, leading to a more diverse and dynamic cinematic landscape.

In conclusion, Olivia de Havilland's quote offers a glimpse into the insular and structured nature of the Hollywood studio system during the Golden Age. It reflects the unique dynamics and limitations that characterized the careers of actors and actresses under studio contracts. Her own experiences within this system, as well as her subsequent legal battle, have left an indelible mark on the history of the film industry, contributing to the evolution of actors' rights and the dismantling of the studio contract system.