10 surprising facts about Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind, published 81 years ago today, has to be one of the most epic, classic books in history. Running for close to four-hours long, the movie adaptation was released in 1939 and has been capturing hearts (over and over) ever since. Here are 10 lesser-known facts about Gone with the Wind.
1. Scarlett wasn’t cast until after filming started
With many leading actresses at his disposal, producer David Selznick still hadn’t decided who was best to play Scarlett when filming commenced. He used a stand-in to start shooting the “Burning of Atlanta” scene. It wasn't until after the fire blazed in the background on the scene that Vivien Leigh wangled an introduction to Selznick from the director’s brother. As legend has it, she was called in for a screen test immediately.
2. Groucho Marx was the author’s preferred choice to play Rhett
The Rhett Butler that author Margaret Mitchell described in her book by the same name was darker and more nefarious than the one portrayed by Clark Gable. Mitchell said Groucho Marx best inhabited the qualities she’d given Rhett.
3. Leigh almost lost the part after her first test reading
As a popular actress on the London stage, during her first informal reading Leigh didn't change her accent from her native English. Director Cukor said, “She began reading this thing very sweetly, and very, very clipped.... So, I struck her across the face with the rudest thing I could say. She screamed with laughter. That was the beginning of our most tender, wonderful friendship."
4. The Daughters of the Confederacy campaigned against Vivien Leigh
The fact that Vivien wasn't a southern American girl ruffled many feathers. The Ocala, which is the Florida chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, was expressed that they were offended and tried to stop her playing the part. When they were found that the role could go to Katharine Hepburn, however, they stopped their protest as they though better an English woman than a Yankee.
5. Leslie Howard despised playing Ashley.
After playing many roles of weak men before Gone with the Wind, a thin Howard only agreed to portray the handsome, 21-year-old, Ashley Wilkes, because Selznick offered him a producer credit in an upcoming film.
6. Vivien Leigh brought a copy of the book to set every day to annoy director Fleming
When Cukor was replaced by the boorish Fleming, Vivien disagreed with much of his direction and was very unhappy. In protest, she carried a copy of the book to the set each day, reading each scene, to remind Fleming that she found the original source far superior to his interpretation.
7. Gable begged not to be shown crying on camera
There’s a scene near the end of the film where Melanie tells Rhett that Scarlett has miscarried after Scarlett fell down the stairs. The scene is written with Rhett crying but afraid it would ruin in image, Gable threatened to walk off set at having to cry. Known for working well with male leads, Fleming shot two versions - one with Rhett crying and one with him not crying. Fleming was able to then convince Gable that the version with tears would actually endear him to the audience rather make him appear weak.
8. There weren’t enough extras in the entire Screen Actors Guild to shoot the Confederate Wounded scene
To portray the dead and wounded Confederate soldiers toward the end of the war, Selznick insisted that no less than 2500 extras were needed to lie in the dirt. At the time, however, the Screen Actors Guild only had 1500 to offer. Selznick saved money by ordering 1000 dummies to round out the epic suffering he wanted to portray.
9. Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Oscar, but was banned from the premiere
Sadly none of Gone with the Wind’s African-American actors were allowed to attend the premiere in Atlanta. Hattie McDaniel, who plays Mammy, won a Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance. Not only is it said that her speech - which contains a cringe-worthy reference to being “a credit to her race” - was written by the studio, it’s also reported that she sat at a segregated table at the back of the venue before and after her acceptance.
10. One of the most beautiful shots in the film came down to advanced mathematics
In an early shot in the film, Scarlett and her father stand before a fading sun, surveying the beauty of Tara. Interestingly, though, nobody could figure out how to capture the shot. Back in those days technology wasn't advance enough to synch the actors, the sunset effect and two different matte paintings. The Math Department at UCLA were consulted and they came up with a way to fit everything together using advanced calculus.