Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American epic-historical romance film adapted from Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel Gone with the Wind. It was produced by David O. Selznick of Selznick International Pictures and directed by Victor Fleming.
Set in the American South against the backdrop of the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, the film tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, the strong-willed daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, from her romantic pursuit of Ashley Wilkes, who is married to his cousin, Melanie Hamilton, to her marriage to Rhett Butler. The leading roles are portrayed by Vivien Leigh (Scarlett), Clark Gable (Rhett), Leslie Howard (Ashley), and Olivia de Havilland (Melanie).
The production of the film was difficult from the start. Filming was delayed for two years due to Selznick’s determination to secure Gable for the role of Rhett Butler, and the “search for Scarlett” led to 1,400 women being interviewed for the part. The original screenplay was written by Sidney Howard, but underwent many revisions by several writers in an attempt to get it down to a suitable length. The original director, George Cukor, was fired shortly after filming had begun and was replaced by Fleming, who in turn was briefly replaced by Sam Wood while Fleming took some time off due to exhaustion.
Here’s a collection of 37 rarely seen photos taken behind-the-scenes during production of Gone With the Wind.
Victor Fleming looking at Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, who is standing in doorway, wearing red gown.Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, walking with Thomas Mitchell as Gerald O’Hara. Replaced director George Cukor walking alongside, cameras and technicians all around. Scene will be re-shot, when Cukor leaves production.Clark Gable and director Victor Fleming, seated, reading script notes.Director Victor Fleming, holding Mickey Kuhn as Beau Wilkes.Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara laying in bed, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, director Victor Fleming and man holding light meter.Susan Myrick, technical adviser, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, smoking pipe, director Victor Fleming, all seated and laughing.Director Victor Fleming looking at Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, who is standing in doorway, wearing red gown.Director Victor Fleming, looking through camera.Olivia De Havilland as Melanie Hamilton, with Ric Holt as Beau Wilkes (11 months) seated on her lap. Seated alongside is Phillip Trent as a hungry solider, and director Victor Fleming.Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, seated at dressing table, with lighting man leaning over sholder.Cast and crew celebrating the birthday of Olivia de Havilland as Melanie Hamilton, who is cutting cake. Director Victor Fleming, script girl Lydia Schiller (in striped shirt), and unknown others are present.Director Victor Fleming, seated next to Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara.Producer David O Selznick, director Victor Fleming, Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, on the set for final scene of the film.Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, Clark Gable who plays Rhett Butler, and director Victor Fleming, on the Atlanta evacuation set.Vivian Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, wearing red gown, talking to producer David O. Selznick and director Victor Fleming, between takes of Ashley’s birthday party.Director Victor Fleming seated on construction crane, mounted with a camera. Producer David O. Selznick stands alongside with technicians.Director Victor Fleming standing and laughing with Ona Munson as Belle Watling while Olivia De Havilland as Melanie Hamilton and Leona Roberts as Mrs. Meade look on from behind.Marcella Martin as Cathleen Calvert on staircase at Twelve Oaks, talking to Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara. Director Victor Fleming stands on stairs back to camera. Technicians, crew, and extras surround.Nap sequence during the barbecue at Twelve Oaks. Director Victor Fleming can be seen with camera on right of bed.Crew filming Peachtree Street scene; director Victor Fleming works with Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara and William Bakewell as mounted Officer.Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, dancing. Both are standing on a movable floor, being watched by dancers and director George Cukor, before he left production.Replaced director George Cukor, standing with Clark Gable who plays Rhett Butler.Director Victor Fleming leaning against bed post, technical advisor Susan Myrick, and crew members looking at girls in bed.Make up still of actress Vivien Leigh in the role of Scarlett O’Hara.Make up still of George Reeves (L) and Fred Crane, who played the The Tarleton Twins.Make up still of actress Vivien Leigh in the role of Scarlett O’Hara.Make up still of actress Vivien Leigh in the role of Scarlett O’Hara.Make up still of actor Eddie Anderson, in the role of Uncle Peter, the coachman, on the set of Gone With The Wind, 1939.Make up artist Monte Westmore applies make up to actor Leslie Howard in the role of Ashley.Make up still of actress Vivien Leigh in the role of Scarlett O’Hara.Make up still of actor Carol Nye in the role of Frank Kennedy.Make up still of actress Laura Hope Crews in the role of Aunt “Pittypat” Hamilton.Vivien Leigh touches up her make up as the crew and actors Fred Crane and George Reeves prepare to film the final version of the porch scene.Actors waiting to begin the filming of the “Feeding Soldiers” scene.Behind the scenes of the hospital sequence.Director Victor Fleming and Vivien Leigh discuss the scene at hand, on the set of Gone With The Wind.
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