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...

Scarlett’s Return to Tara

On Saturday, May 6, 1939, Sam Wood directed Vivien Leigh in “Scarlett’s Return to Tara.” Realizing that her mother is dead, Scarlett screams her shock and grief and collapses at Ellen O’Hara’s bier. A parallel to this heartbreaking scene...

Sam Wood to the Rescue

In April 1939, producer David O. Selznick recognized that the grueling pace of filming Gone With the Wind was taking a toll on his cast and crew, especially director Victor Fleming. On April 14, Selznick confided in a memo to executive staff that Fleming “is so...

January 25, 1939: Principal Filming Begins!

On Thursday, January 26, 1939, director George Cukor yelled “Action,” and Gone With the Wind‘s principal photography began. The opening scene he shot that day turned out to be one of Gone With the Wind‘s jinxed scenes. Vivien Leigh in her green sprig silk muslin dress...

January 13, 1939 is Lucky Day for Leigh

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...