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Gone with the Wind (1939)

Director(s) Victor Fleming, George Cukor (uncredited), Sam Wood (uncredited)
Producer(s)

David O. Selznick

Top Genres Drama, Epic, Film Adaptation, Romance, War
Top Topics Book-Based, Civil War, Romance (Drama), Old South

Gone with the Wind Overview:

Gone with the Wind (1939) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by Victor Fleming, George Cukor and Sam Wood and produced by David O. Selznick.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Margaret Mitchell published in 1936.

SYNOPSIS

One of the great cinematic achievements, technically as well as in enduring appeal, this is a movie that keeps finding an audience with every successive generation (it was restored - somewhat controversially - and re-released theatrically in 1998). The story and characters are familiar to even the most casual moviegoer: an indomitable southern belle (Leigh) loves and loses and loves again a slyly dashing war profiteer as she struggles to protect her family and beloved plantation, Tara, from the ravages of the Civil War. Based on Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel, which at the time of the film's release, had surpassed 1.5 million copies sold. Selznick paid $50,000 for rights to the book and brought in a number of screenwriters in addition to Sidney Howard to help him shape the material. Among them were Edwin Justin Mayer, John Van Druten, Ben Hecht, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Jo Swerling. For the part of Scarlett O'Hara, Selznick conducted a national talent search that has in itself become Hollywood legend and the basis of a movie.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Gone with the Wind was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1989.

Academy Awards 1939 --- Ceremony Number 12 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorClark GableNominated
Best ActressVivien LeighWon
Best Supporting ActressOlivia de HavillandNominated
Best Supporting ActressHattie McDanielWon
Best Art DirectionLyle WheelerWon
Best CinematographyErnest Haller, Ray RennahanWon
Best DirectorVictor FlemingWon
Best Film EditingHal C. Kern, James E. NewcomWon
Best PictureSelznick International PicturesWon
Best WritingSidney HowardWon
Special AwardTo William Cameron Menzies for outstanding achievement in the use of color for the enhancement of dramatic mood in the production of Gone with the Wind.Won
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Gone with the Wind BlogHub Articles:

GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) Temporarily Pulled From HBO Max To Allow For Proper Context–A History

By Lara on Jun 11, 2020 From Backlots

When HBO Max announced that it would temporarily remove Gone With the Wind from its platform, in order to place a statement in front of it putting the film’s content into the proper context, it set off a firestorm of controversy online and in the media. Some decry the decision as censorship. O... Read full article


Ticklish Business: Episode #19 – Gone With the Wind (1939)

on Mar 30, 2017 From Journeys in Classic Film

After several weeks of hype pop culture writer Terence Johnson joins me to talk about Rhett and Scarlett (and how much we hate Leslie Howard as Ashley) in 1939’s Gone With the Wind. Please consider leaving the podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or visit my Patreon page to find out more abo... Read full article


Gone with the Wind: Missed Opportunity

By Franchot Tone Fan on Jan 5, 2017 From Finding Franchot: Exploring the Life and Career of Franchot Tone

Like Old Acquaintance, here's another one of those "what might've been" posts for you. Did you know that Franchot was considered for the two male lead roles in Gone With the Wind?  Clark, Joan, Leslie, and Franchot in one photo. Source: https://inafferrabileleslie.wordpress.com On Novemb... Read full article


The Costumes of Gone With the Wind: Scarlett O'Hara's Red Ballgown

By Amanda Garrett on Aug 3, 2016 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, I'm taking a behind the scenes look a the red ballgown Scarlett O'Hara wears in Gone With the Wind (1939). This article is the fourth in a four-part series. Go here for part one, part two, and part three. One of Gone With the Wind costume designer Walter Plunkett's greatest challenges ... Read full article


The Costumes of Gone With the Wind: Scarlett O'Hara's Curtain Dress

By Amanda Garrett on Jul 27, 2016 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, I'm taking a behind the scenes look at the dress made of curtains that Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) wears in Gone With the Wind (1939). This article is the third in a four-part series. Go here for part one and part two. The curtain dress that Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) wears to vis... Read full article


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Gone with the Wind Quotes:

Scarlett: If I said I was madly in love with you you'd know I was lying.

Scarlett: Oh, Rhett, Rhett please don't say that. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry for everything.
Rhett Butler: My darling, you're such a child. You think that by saying, "I'm sorry," all the past can be corrected. Here, take my handkerchief. Never, at any crisis of your life, have I known you to have a handkerchief.

Scarlett: He looks as if... as if he knows what I look like without my shimmy.

Rhett Butler: There's one thing I do know... and that is that I love you, Scarlett. In spite of you and me and the whole silly world going to pieces around us, I love you. Because we're alike. Bad lots, both of us. Selfish and shrewd. But able to look things in the eyes as we call them by their right names.
Scarlett: (struggles) Don't hold me like that!
Rhett Butler: (holds her tighter) Scarlett! Look at me! I've loved you more than I've ever loved any woman and I've waited for you longer than I've ever waited for any woman.

Mammy: She says she's comin'. I don't know why she's comin', but she's a-comin'.
Rhett Butler: You don't like me, Mammy.
Mammy: Hmph!
Rhett Butler: Now don't you argue with me. You don't. You really don't.
[laughs]
See more quotes from Gone with the Wind...
Gone with the Wind Facts
Olivia de Havilland's salary for Gone With The Wind (1939) was $25,000.

David O. Selznick asked Alfred Hitchcock for help with the scene in which the women wait for the men from the raid on Shantytown and Melanie reads "David Copperfield". Hitchcock delivered a precise treatment, complete with descriptions of shots and camera angles. Hitchcock wanted to show Rhett, Ashley, etc. outside the house, dodging the Union soldiers. He also wanted an exchange of meaningful glances between Melanie and Rhett inside the house. Virtually nothing of this treatment was used.

Pictured on one of four 25¢ US commemorative postage stamps issued 23 March 1990 honoring classic films released in 1939. The stamp featured Stagecoach, Beau Geste, The Wizard of Oz, and Gone with the Wind.

Although Scarlett and Charles' son Wade Hamilton was omitted from the movie the letter Scarlett receives informing her of Charles dying is signed Wade Hampton. In the book, the character of Scarlett's first child was named after Charles' commanding officer and thus named Wade Hampton Hamilton.

Female costumes were made complete with petticoats, although they wouldn't have been missed had they not been there.

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