Pivotal Paddock Scene

On Wednesday, May 24, 1939, Victor Fleming directed Vivien Leigh and Leslie Howard in the pivotal paddock scene also known as the “Orchard Love Scene.” To recap: Needing $300 to pay the taxes on Tara, Scarlett seeks advice from Ashley, whom she finds splitting rails...

Common Theme in Films With Howard and Leigh

Turner Classic Movies (www.tcm.com) offers two films this afternoon, each featuring a pre-Gone With the Wind performance from Leslie Howard and Vivien Leigh. Each film has a similar outcome. At 3 p.m. (Eastern Time), TCM presents Berkeley Square from 1933. Leslie...

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...

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...

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...