
1939 Best Picture: Cast: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Haviland, Leslie Howard, Hattie McDaniel, Butterfly McQueen
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Behind the Scenes: Gone With the Wind is jam packed full of behind the scenes dirt. At least three directors worked on this film, although Victor Fleming was credited with pulling it all together. The role of Scarlet O'Hara was the most sought after role in Hollywood, eventually going to the then unknown, Vivian Leigh.
See Also12th Academy Awards (1939): Nominees and Winners15 Things About "Gone With the Wind" and the Oscars - Vivien LeighClark Gable was the unanimous choice to play Rhett Butler, at least by the fans. He said, of being nominated for Best Actor, that this would be his last chance at winning another award. He was right.
Based on the somewhat racy novel by Margaret Mitchell, the Production had some serious doubts about allowing it to be produced. Assault, black stereotypes, childbirth and brothels were important plot points. Among the scenes that were toned down were the childbirth scene. In the book it described Melonie's pain as being like an 'animal dying in a trap'. For the film, the focus for that scene was on Prissy and Scarlett. The character of Rhett Butler was taken down a notch, given more of a gentlemanly demeanor, than the womanizer described in the book.
For the record, here is the entire title!
Gone With the Wind is available on both VHS and DVD!
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So big a picture, they couldn't fit the title into one cel! |
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Fiddle-dee-dee! Scarlett O'Hara, as played by Vivian Leigh. |
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With eyes on Ashley (Leslie Howard), Scarlett isn't impressed with his fiance, Melone (Olivia de Havilland). |
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Hattie McDaniel was the first black actor to ever win an Oscar, a feat that would be repeated for over twenty years. |
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Scarlett and Melonie are relieved that Ashley is not on the list of the dead soldiers. |
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Madame Belle, played by Ona Munson, tries to give money to the hospital. |
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Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, and Scarlett try to escape the burning of Atlanta. |
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'As God is my witness!' Leigh gives the performance of a lifetime! |
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In need of fast cash, Scarlett surveys her looks, while planning a visit to Rhett Butler. |
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It's something she saw in the window and couldn't resist. Scarlett uses the drapes to make herself up. |
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Rhett warns Melonie of a trap set for Ashley by the Yankees. |
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Rhett proposes marriage. |
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Rhett and Mamie share a drink whilst Scarlett delivers a baby. |
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Scarlett takes one last shot at Ashley. |
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Scarlett wears a red dress to the party where she expects to be brandished by the guests. |
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Poor Melonie remains Scarlett's faithful friend, despite it all, right up until her death. |
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"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." |