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FLASH FRIDAY: GONE WITH THE WIND Breezes Back To Movie Theaters

By: Sep. 26, 2014
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Today we are saluting one of the most celebrated and acclaimed films of all time in honor of its Fathom & TCM 75th anniversary re-release next week, GONE WITH THE WIND.

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Based on Margaret Mitchell's 1936 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of love and war, the film adaptation of GONE WITH THE WIND virtually defines the word epic. Utilizing no less than three directors of major import to bring the grand story of the South, slavery and the Civil War to the screen, GONE WITH THE WIND is just about as iconic and identifiable as cinematic endeavors can possibly get - and understandably so. Originally slated to be helmed by versatile director George Cukor, he was soon replaced by THE WIZARD OF OZ mastermind Victor Fleming - with Hollywood history dictating that the twosome would also collaborate on THE WIZARD OF OZ that same year, as a matter of fact. During the tumultuous shoot, Fleming fled filming citing exhaustion and was briefly spelled by Sam Wood. Subsequently, the combined efforts of Cukor, Fleming and Wood collectively created the cinematic masterpiece coming back to movie theaters nationwide in the form of the Fathom presentation of the Turner Classic Movies re-release of GONE WITH THE WIND in honor of its 75th anniversary.

What precisely is it about GONE WITH THE WIND that has entranced four generations of viewers from all around the world? First of all, the romance. Perhaps never before onscreen had viewers been introduced to such a combustible and endearing pairing as that of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. A Southern belle with strength and sass found her match in the suave and swarthy Southern gentleman - with each fully realized in grand cinematic fashion by silver screen superstars Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. Add in the chemistry all too apparent in the actors' performances and it is clear to see why this is one of cinema's most unforgettable match-ups, if not the actual apotheosis itself. So, too, did the supporting cast add immeasurably to the relatability and veracity of the film, making it entertaining and engrossing while telling the pot-boiler of a historically-accented tale. Without a doubt, the story is what sold the studio on the film and what necessitated the gargantuan budget for the awe-inspiringly elaborate production, yet without that massive scope and shrewd, painstaking attention to detail and overall accuracy, GONE WITH THE WIND would lack the incomparably sweeping and hypnotic sway that it continues to possess to this very day, even in comparison to films made 75 years after the final film reel hit the can.

Winning 10 Academy Awards at the 12th annual festivities, GONE WITH THE WIND took home Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDonald), Best Director (Victor Fleming), Best Adapted Screenplay and more, setting a record for the most nominations - 13 - and the most wins for any film in history up until that time, as well as becoming the first color film to win Best Picture. Additionally, GONE WITH THE WIND became the highest-grossing film of all time in its original release and still holds that mantle when figuring in inflation - and, it is also the longest Best Picture, as well, clocking in at over 235 minutes total. A runaway blockbuster in its own time, GONE WITH THE WIND was undoubtedly the very first tent-pole release of the modern era and ushered in the ever-popular cinematic genre now commonly referred to as event movies. Surely, if nothing else, the original release of GONE WITH THE WIND was an event - and then some. Subsequently, the first TV showing of the film in 1976 was the highest rated single program in history, estimated to have been watched by 65% of television viewers at the time of its airing. And, the legend and lore lives on to this very day.

While Rhett Butler may have famously once stated, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," there is every reason in the world to revisit GONE WITH THE WIND next week and remember a time when movies were the most popular entertainment in the world - and some of them, like GONE WITH THE WIND, for damn good reason.

More information on Fathom's presentation of the Turner Classic Movies re-release of GONE WITH THE WIND on September 28 and October 1 in movie theaters nationwide is available at the official site here.

Take Heart

So, now, let's take a look at some of the most memorable clips available pertaining to GONE WITH THE WIND in honor of next week's 75th anniversary re-release.

First, view the trailer for the Fathom presentation of TCM's 75th anniversary re-release of GONE WITH THE WIND.

Next, take in the original trailer for GONE WITH THE WIND.

Now, view some rare screentests for the many actors considered for parts in GONE WITH THE WIND.

Peruse a scene from MOONLIGHT & MAGNOLIAS, a play centered around the real-life incident of Ben Hecht composing a draft of the script.

Preview a series of behind the scenes images captured onset.

Also, sample some home movies of GONE WITH THE WIND shot onset.

See Vivien Leigh accept her Best Actress Academy Award.

Take a look at this extensive documentary on the making of GONE WITH THE WIND.

Plus, Brit comedy team French & Saunders parody GONE WITH THE WIND.

Lastly, view the classic CAROL BURNETT SHOW homage, WENT WITH THE WIND.

As a special bonus, check out this documentary tracing the recent West End musical adaptation of GONE WITH THE WIND.

Of all the many cinematic classics often labeled the greatest of all time or the best ever made, it is particularly instructive to point out that GONE WITH THE WIND unquestionably has them all beat on at least one front - it is the biggest. Also, GONE WITH THE WIND portrays the most iconic cinematic romance in history, as well as depicts some of the most spine-tingling and gasp-inducing mise en scene ever seen on film - in bright, bold Technicolor, to boot. Revisit the many reasons why GONE WITH THE WIND is as good as movies get next week with the 75th anniversary TCM re-release courtesy of Fathom - and prove that you, too, give a damn.




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