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...

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...

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,...

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...