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Gone with the Wind Overview:

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

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
See More Oscar Winners

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

Photos from “THE MAKING OF GONE WITH THE WIND” exhibit at the Harry Ransom Center…

By Christy Putnam on Aug 18, 2015 From Christy Putnam

From September 9, 2014, to January 4, 2015, The Making of Gone With The Wind exhibit graced the Harry Ransom Center in Austin Texas. Christy with curator of the vast exhibit, Steve Wilson, and author of the museum exhibit book, The Making of Gone With The Wind. Banners at the entrance… Photo c... Read full article

Just for Fun: Gone with the Wind Screen Tests

By Annmarie Gatti on Jun 6, 2015 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Just for Fun: the Many ‘Potential’ Faces of Scarlett… As many of us know, the casting for Gone with the Wind was quite an endeavor. Many actresses were considered for the much-sought-after role of Scarlett, and about 30 actually screen-tested for it, including Tallulah Bankhead, La... Read full article

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Gone with the Wind Quotes:

Scarlett: Rhett, how could you do this to me, and why should you go now that, after it's all over and I need you, why? Why?
Rhett Butler: Why? Maybe it's because I've always had a weakness for lost causes, once they're really lost. Or maybe, maybe I'm ashamed of myself. Who knows?
Rhett Butler: No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.
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]
Rhett Butler: I can't go all my life waiting to catch you between husbands.
Scarlett: Rhett, don't. I shall faint.
Rhett Butler: I want you to faint. This is what you were meant for. None of the fools you've ever know have kissed you like this, have they? Your Charles, or your Frank, or your stupid Ashley.
See More Quotes from Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind Facts
The most frequently cited sketch on The Carol Burnett Show was the 1976 parody, "Went with the Wind", a send-up of Gone with the Wind. Burnett, as Starlett O'Hara, descends a long staircase wearing a dress made from a green window curtain -- complete with curtain rod! The outfit, designed by Bob Mackie, is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.
Margaret Mitchell personally approved of Vivien Leigh's interpretation of Scarlett.
Margaret Mitchell was dismayed at the scale of the Tara and Twelve Oaks sets, writing to her friend, technical advisor Susan Myrick, "I grieve to hear that Tara has columns. Of course, it didn't and looked nice and ugly like Alex Stephens' Liberty Hall in Crawfordville, Georgia." And, "I had feared, of course that Twelve Oaks would end up looking like the Grand Central Station, and your description confirms my worst apprehensions. I did not know whether to laugh or to throw up at the TWO staircases.... God help me when the reporters get me after I've seen the picture. I will have to tell the truth, and if Tara has columns and Twelve Oaks is such an elegant affair I will have to say that nothing like that was ever seen in Clayton County, or, for that matter, on land or sea.... When I think of the healthy, hardy, country and somewhat crude civilization I depicted and then of the elegance that is to be presented, I cannot help yelping with laughter... "
During the casting, Erin O'Brien-Moore was suggested for the role of Scarlett, although she was ultimately never auditioned or given a screen test.
At nearly four hours long, this is longest running of all movies to win the Best Picture Academy Award.
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