Based on the 1936 best-selling novel by Margaret Mitchell Producer David O. Selznick (United Artists) secured the film rights to the novel in 1936 for $50,000, a record amount for an unknown author w/ a first-time novel Tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, the strong-willed daughter of a cotton plantation owner in Georgia Set during the American Civil War (1861- 1865) & Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) A Romantic Melodrama – a genre characterized by sensational and romantic plots, strong and often violent appeals to the audience’s emotions, exaggerated characters, and happy endings Gone with the wind

Gone with the wind Casting for the film took over 2 years to complete, largely due to 1,400 actress auditions Over 30 actresses made the cut to read for the part of Scarlett O’Hara Producer David O. Selznick was first introduced to Vivien Leigh when his brother, an agent, came to the set during the ”Burning of Atlanta” scene and said “David, meet your Scarlett O’Hara” Vivien Leigh, a young English actress who was not well known in America at the time, was officially cast as Scarlett O’Hara on January 13, 1939 Just before filming, Selznick informed a newspaper columnist “Scarlett O’Hara’s parents were French and Irish. Identically, Miss Leigh’s parents are French and Irish.

Gone With The Wind Clark Gable was cast as Rhett Butler after Selznick struck a deal with MGM chief Louis B. Mayer: Mayer would provide Gable (who was under contract with MGM) and pay $1.25 million (half of the movie’s budget), but Selznick would have to pay Gable’s weekly salary and MGM would receive half of the film’s profits Gable was paid $120,000 for 71 days of work on the “Gone With the Wind” set Gable’s role in “Gone With the Wind” earned him the nickname “The King of Hollywood” as he was as he was viewed as a symbol of masculinity, admired by men and adored by women

Gone with the Wind ”Gone With the Wind” was the 1st film adaptation to be completely storyboarded out prior to production

Gone With The Wind The Burning of Atlanta scene was the first scene that was shot & cost $22,500. This scene was shot first so if something went wrong, the film could be scrapped completely. After three weeks of shooting, the film’s original director was replaced by Victor Fleming, who was across the MGM Studio lot directing “The Wizard of Oz”

Gone With the Wind ”Gone With the Wind” premiered in Atlanta, Georgia on December 15, 1939 after a 3 day celebration The film’s premier was not without controversy. Due to Georgia being a Jim Crow state (segregated), African-American actors were not allowed to sit with white actors for the premiere. Clark Gable was so angry at this slight, particularly towards Hattie McDaniel who portrayed Mammie, he threatened to boycott the premiere. McDaniel diffused the situation by saying she would be unable to attend the premiere due to prior commitments.

Gone With the Wind ”Gone With the Wind” set a record for both Academy Award nominations (13) and Academy Award Wins (8) Won Academy Awards for: Best Picture (1st color film to win Best Picture) Best Actress – Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara Best Supporting Actress – Hattie McDaniel as Mammie Best Director – Victor Fleming Best Screenplay Best Cinematography Best Art Direction Best Editing Also won 2 special Academy Awards Outstanding Achievement in the use of color for the enhancement of dramatic mood Technical Achievement Award for pioneering in the use or coordinated equipment

Gone With the Wind Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American Academy Award Nominee & the first African-American winner for her portrayal of “Mammie” McDaniel accepted her Academy Award in an upscale, segregated hotel in L.A. In her career, McDaniel played the “maid” role 30+ times. She said of the role, “I’d rather be paid $700 a week to play a maid than earn $7 a day being a maid.”

Gone With the Wind ”Gone With the Wind” set attendance records everywhere Capitol Theater in New York City averaged 11,000 admissions per day in late December 1939. Within 4 years of its release, “Gone With the Wind” had sold an estimated 60 Million tickets in the United States “Gone With the Wind” is the highest grossing film of all time, earning nearly $3.4 Billion (Adjusted for Inflation)