Fleming Finishes the Crane Shot

On May 22, 1939, director Victor Fleming completed filming “Scarlett Searches for Dr. Meade,” one of Gone With the Wind’s most memorable scenes. Known as the crane shot, the sequence begins with Scarlett’s arrival at the Atlanta depot. She...

Selznick Worries About Time and Money

On May 19, 1939, producer David O. Selznick wrote a memo to Henry Ginsberg, vice president and general manager of Selznick International Pictures, informing him about a conversation with director Victor Fleming about “speeding up on the rest of the...

Gable Kicks in Doors and Turns the Tables

On Thursday, May 18, 1939, Victor Fleming directed Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in the “No More Babies” sequence. In her bedroom, Scarlett gazes longingly at a daguerreotype of Ashley and is surprised when Rhett touches her shoulders tenderly. She...

What Shall We Name the Baby?

On Wednesday, May 17, 1939, Sam Wood directed “The Naming of Bonnie” scene with Vivian Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland and the infant playing Scarlett and Rhett’s week-old daughter. In Scarlett’s bedroom, Rhett conveys via baby talk his...

Fleming Returns and Wood Carries On

To the surprise of cast and crew who were just getting used to director Sam Wood’s style, a recuperated Victor Fleming returned to the set in mid-May. Producer David O. Selznick decided to retain Wood to maintain the filming pace and to take some of the pressure...