History Daily 1268: The Premiere of Gone With the Wind
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Dec 15, 2025 On December 15, 1939, the premiere of Gone With the Wind took the film world by storm. Discover how David Selznick transformed Margaret Mitchell's beloved novel into cinematic history. Uncover the chaotic casting process that led to Vivien Leigh being chosen as Scarlett O'Hara after a dramatic discovery on set. Behind the scenes, multiple directors juggled script changes and challenging shoots. The premiere itself was steeped in segregation, adding complexity to the film's legacy, including Hattie McDaniel's historic win.
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Chance Casting On A Burning Set
- David Selznick discovered Vivien Leigh on a burning set and immediately cast her as Scarlett O'Hara.
- That chance meeting solved his biggest casting crisis just before principal photography began.
Big Bet On A Massive Novel
- David Selznick bought the film rights and gambled heavily despite the novel's length and high adaptation cost.
- He prioritized vision over caution, assembling top creatives and paying premium for potential box-office payoff.
Keep Collaborators Close During Rewrites
- When hiring writers, set clear expectations and workflows to avoid long, unusable drafts.
- Keep writers close when you need iterative progress rather than isolated work.
