Friday the 13th in January 1939 was lucky for Vivien Leigh: It was the day that David O. Selznick announced her selection as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind. Leigh signed her contract in Selznick’s office at 5:50 p.m. After the signing, Selznick formally announced to the media his principal cast:
- Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara
- Clark Gable as Rhett Butler
- Olivia de Havilland as Melanie Wilkes
- Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes
Selznick’s studio then released the news first to Atlanta-based GWTW author Margaret Mitchell in three long Western Union telegrams that arrived in segments at 15-minute intervals. The first wire announced Leigh’s casting as Scarlett, the second detailed the casting of Olivia de Havilland and Leslie Howard, and the third was a lengthy biographical sketch of Leigh.
Mitchell wanted her former colleagues at the Atlanta Constitution to get this scoop of the year, so she ran back and forth between the telegraph office and the newspaper office carrying the pages of the wires as they arrived.
The newspaper, a morning edition, was about to go to press, so the editor tore out a portion of the front page. File clerks scurried around to find a photograph of Leigh, which was placed on the front page alongside the text of the wires as they were received and typeset.
After the long-awaited announcement was released to all media, the news was carried by almost every newspaper and radio station from coast to coast.
The following day the Atlanta Constitution published the telegram that Leigh sent to Mitchell:
“If I can but feel that you are with me on this, the most important and trying task of my life, I pledge with all my heart I shall try to make Scarlett O’Hara live as you described her in your brilliant book.”
2023 Twin Year: The 2023 calendar matches the days of the 1939, making 2023 a twin year to 1939. That’s the premise of Pauline’s new book Gone With the Wind: 1939 Day by Day. In that book, she chronicles the production, premieres and reception of GWTW from January 1, 1939 to December 31, 1939. Fans will love following the drama and intrigue of GWTW’s production on each event’s exact day and date.
Blogger Bio: Pauline Bartel is the author of Gone With the Wind: 1939 Day by Day, The Complete GONE WITH THE WIND Trivia Book, and an expert on the film and its history. Follow Pauline on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Request a personally inscribed bookplate by sending a request to PaulineBartel@cs.com. Visit her Amazon.com Author Page and leave a review telling other GWTW fans why you love Gone With the Wind: 1939 Day by Day.
Probably one of the best made movies of ALL times! And to get to spend it each day from 1/1/39 thru 12/31/39 Day to Day is enlightening with fully detail of each event that occurred during the making and filming of such a powerful movie. It gives one the sense of being right there. Fantastic read to all,and the Author puts it to life in this book.
Thank you, Betty! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the journey through 1939. Keep reading Gone With the Wind: 1939 Day by Day!