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...

Shooting Short Scenes for Gone With the Wind

On Wednesday, June 21, 1939, Victor Fleming directed Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in a series of short Gone With the Wind scenes: “Walk Down Peachtree Street” featured Mr. and Mrs. Butler strolling the thoroughfare with Bonnie in her baby carriage while, for his...

Rhett Proposes

On Tuesday, June 20, 1939, Victor Fleming directed Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in the scene in Aunt Pittypat’s house when Rhett visits after Frank Kennedy’s funeral. Watch for this Gone With the Wind goof: After leading Rhett into the parlor, Scarlett tearfully...

Seeing Double on Gone With the Wind’s Set

On Monday, June 19, 1939, producer David O. Selznick fired off a memo to Gone With the Wind’s production units, advising them to schedule any required close-up shots and scene retakes involving Vivien Leigh for that week and to use doubles for the actress whenever...

Let’s Try This Gone With the Wind Ending Instead

When Vivien Leigh arrived at the studio on Thursday, June 15, 1939, she learned that producer David O. Selznick had written a new ending for Gone With the Wind, one that would provide more hope that Scarlett would get Rhett back. With the addition of that new scene,...

Lumber Mill Scene Reveals the Fear Driving Scarlett

On Friday, June 16, 1939, Sam Wood directed Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Carroll Nye (Frank Kennedy) and J.M. Kerrigan (Johnny Gallegher) in the scene “Scarlett Hires Convicts.” After ordering Frank to return to the store, Scarlett argues with Ashley about her...