The “Damn” Resolution

Will H. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association of America and the enforcer of the Motion Picture Production Code, issued a stern warning to his board of directors at its meeting in late October 1939. Waiving the profanity rule and...

Difficult “Damn” Negotiations

When David O. Selznick received the letter from the Hays office, outlining the strongest reasons for its refusal to permit the use of “damn” in Rhett’s exit line, the producer decided to appeal the decision to the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association...

That Damn Word “Damn”

On October 20, 1939, producer David O. Selznick penned a letter to Will H. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association of America, and the enforcer of the Motion Picture Production Code. The Code barred from the screen, among other...

Gone With the Wind’s Second Sneak Peek

On Wednesday, October 18, 1939, producer David O. Selznick held a second preview of Gone With the Wind. This time the location was the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. That audience was just as wild with excitement as the September 9 Riverside audience...

75th Anniversary Offer for Gone With the Wind Fans

A book to celebrate GWTW’s 75th Anniversary!In honor of Gone With the Wind’s 75th anniversary, I’m gifting fans with a special offer: Those purchasing The Complete GONE WITH THE WIND Trivia Book (2nd edition) can obtain from me a personally inscribed...