Gone With the Wind’s Filming Ends — Sort Of

On Tuesday, June 27, 1939, producer David O. Selznick sent a telegram to John Hay Whitney, chairman of the board of Selznick International Pictures: “Sound the siren. Scarlett O’Hara completed her performance at noon today.” To celebrate the end of principal...

Filming the Porch Scene for the Fourth Time

On Monday, June 26, 1939, Victor Fleming directed Vivien Leigh, Fred Crane and George Reeves in the fourth version of the porch scene. Leigh, dressed in white, listened as the Tarletons told her that Ashley was engaged to marry his cousin Melanie. But Leigh’s face...

Third Time is the Charm for Paddock Scene

On Saturday, June 24, 1939, Victor Fleming directed Vivien Leigh and Leslie Howard in the third attempt at filming the paddock scene. Needing $300 to pay the taxes on Tara, Scarlett seeks advice from Ashley whom she finds splitting rails in the paddock area. He has no...

Gable Knocks Off Early While Leigh Soldiers On

On Friday, June 23, 1939, Victor Fleming directed Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable and a troop of extras in the pivotal scene following Scarlett and Rhett’s escape from Atlanta. Rhett witnesses a young soldier collapsing on the road, and that fuels his decision to join the...

Anyone for Seconds?

On Thursday, June 22, 1939, Gone With the Wind’s action took cast and crew to a soundstage replica of a New Orleans café. There, a chorus line of can-can dancers kicked up their heels and rustled their skirts with gusto for the amusement of the dining patrons. The...