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...

A Long Work Day for Vivien Leigh

Wednesday, June 14, 1939 proved to be another long work day for Vivien Leigh, as Gone With the Wind’s filming continued: She was on the set at 8 a.m. for director Victor Fleming’s retake of the “Scarlett Curses Melanie and Her Baby” scene. After Dr. Meade tells her...

Getting Ready for Bonnie’s Last Ride

On Monday, June 12, 1939, Gone With the Wind’s action was on the terrace of Scarlett and Rhett’s Atlanta home in the sequence leading up to “Bonnie’s Last Ride.” In the terrace scene, Scarlett and Rhett argue about the state of their marriage. Rhett wants her to give...