Nikki at The Scarlett Rose Garden is having a ball today to celebrate GWTW’s 70th Birthday so I thought in the spirit of my Wizard of Oz post I would share some facts on GWTW!
The movie's line "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." was voted as the #1 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100)
First colour film to win the Best Picture Oscar
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The estimated production costs were $3.9 million
For the premiere in Atlanta in December 15, 1939, the governor declared a state holiday. Ticket prices for the premiere were 40 times the usual going rate
The first scene to be shot was the burning of the Atlanta Depot, filmed on 10 December 1938. If there was a major mistake during the filming, the entire film might have been scrapped. They actually burned many old sets that needed to be cleared from the studio backlot, including the set from King Kong (1933). The fire cost over $25,000, and yielded 113 minutes of footage. It was so intense that Culver City residents jammed the telephones lines, thinking MGM was burning down
In the scene where Rhett pours Mammy a drink after the birth of Bonnie, for a joke during a take, Clark Gable actually poured alcohol instead of the usual tea into the decanter without Hattie McDaniel knowing it until she took a swig
Vivien Leigh worked for 125 days and received about $25,000. Clark Gable worked for 71 days and received over $120,000.
Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to be nominated for, and win, an Academy Award.
To add to the publicity, fans were asked to vote for the actress they think should play Scarlett. Out of hundreds of ballots cast, Vivien Leigh got only one vote
Olivia de Havilland always meticulously researched her roles. As she had not yet had a baby in real life, she visited a maternity hospital to study how various women coped with the stresses of childbirth for the scene where Melanie has her baby. Off-camera, the scene's director, George Cukor, would occasionally pinch her toes to make her feel pain
Clark Gable disliked this, his most famous film, which he regarded as "a woman's picture."
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the interesting facts about the movie. I can't believe Vivien only got $25,000!
D
Love the frocks!!
ReplyDeletePomona x
Wow! You're really a cinemaoger! This film is very famous..it's unbelievable, I've always heard about it, but never seen!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week :)))
I have never seen it either. But it is on my to see list. Together with a million other movies and that list is still growing. I'm going to see Coco avant Chanel this week. I remember that you expected 'more' of it, right? So my expectations are lowered. I'll tell you what I thought about it. Have a great week! Thanks for all facts about Gone with the wind, I won't forget the 25.000 (versus the 120.000) easy!
ReplyDeleteVictoria, wasn't the GWTW 70th Anniversary Celebration Ball grand! What fun!
ReplyDeleteYou really do your research don't you?
ReplyDeleteMy Mums favourite film so must show her this post and see if she knows all these facts!
((hugs))
Beki xxx
Darling, GWTW was my mum’s absolute favorite movie; she watched it over and over again. She had the decorative plates to the movie adoring her walls. It is so true that we each take something away from posts we read. Well, today, yours reminded me of my mum whom I terribly miss. Thank you for the post..
ReplyDeleteLove & Hugs
Duchess ♥♥♥
I enjoyed your post on GWTW. So many interesting facts!Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteColleen
I found all these facts very interesting and entertaining. Can you believe how little they made in those days in comparison to today?? And how funny that Clark Gable didn't like the film. This was great...Debbie
ReplyDeleteHow i adore the outfits. I dont think ive seen GWTW, i will have to add it to my 'to watch' list.
ReplyDeleteRose
Oh wow thanks for all that interesting information. I always like reading the behind the scenes stuff.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Even I learned a little something today. And I thought I did my research, hee-hee. Very good post for the occasion.
ReplyDeletewow you know everything!!! Thanks for sharing :) x
ReplyDeleteIt is shocking but I have still yet to see this - isn't that awful?! xxx
ReplyDeleteFiddledy dee! I love this film , I have it on DVD! But I didnt know all those wonderful facts, so thank you! Suzie. xxx
ReplyDeleteLove all the interesting facts you included in this post! I had heard most of them, but certainly didn't realize the pay differential between Clark and Vivien!! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFiddle Dee Dee,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
I love the GWTW trivia! Great post! You are invited to stop by my GWTW post.8-)
ReplyDelete~Myrna
http://daylily777-myenchantedhome.blogspot.com/2009/09/gone-with-wind-blogland-ball.html
Your posts are always so informative....great stuff that I certainly never knew.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week. Sheri
I'm ashamed to say I've never seen this all the way through! Can i borrow your DVD to remedy the situation asap!
ReplyDeleteLots of Love
Kelly xxx
Great post! Did you know that Viv refused to "gag" when eating the raddish in the "God as my witness" scene? It's actually Olivia's wretching we hear.
ReplyDeleteWow, after reading your comments to this post, I cannot believe how many have not seen the film!! Gasp!! LOL! Thank you so much for joing me for the ball, it was nice having you!
Nikki