A book to celebrate GWTW’s 75th Anniversary!
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 photography, Selznick, director Victor Fleming, Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland issued an invitation to the crew and other cast members:
“In gratitude for your unfailing efforts and courtesy during the siege of Atlanta and in celebration of the conclusion of the damn thing, we request the pleasure of your company at a little party to be given on Stage 5 immediately after Tuesday’s shooting.”
But additional work needed to be done. Selznick ordered the reshooting of certain scenes. The special effects unit was still at work, and other fill-in sequences had to be filmed. Gone With the Wind’s filming had ended, sort of.
Happy 75th Anniversary, Gone With the Wind!
Blog Bio: Pauline Bartel is the author of The Complete GONE WITH THE WIND Trivia Book (2nd edition) and an expert on the film and its history. Visit the website (www.paulinebartel.com/resources/books/books-available) for further information. Follow her on Twitter @PaulineBartel and “like” her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheCompleteGWTWTriviaBook).