“Gone With the Wind," a timeless piece of cinematic history, was released on December
15, 1939.
This epic historical romance was set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and
Reconstruction era.
The film was directed by Victor Fleming and featured an iconic cast led by Vivien Leigh,
who played the headstrong Southern belle Scarlett O'Hara, and Clark Gable as the roguish Rhett
Butler.
It also included notable performances by Olivia de Havilland and Leslie Howard.
The movie's cultural resonance was profound; it shaped the world's understanding of a key
period in American history, advanced the art of storytelling through film, and set high
standards for cinematic quality that helped establish Hollywood as the film capital of
the world.
With its sweeping narrative, groundbreaking technical achievements, and compelling performances,
"Gone With the Wind" has thus earned its status as one of the greatest films of all time.
Shifting our gaze behind the glamour and magnificence of "Gone With the Wind," however, we prepare
to set out on a journey of unexpected revelations.
Despite its status as a cinematic classic, the film is not without its fair share of
quirks and blunders that, over the years, have remained hidden beneath its sprawling
epic canvas.
Even the most revered masterpieces have their imperfections, and our beloved "Gone With
the Wind" is no exception.
Going forward, we'll delve into some surprising mistakes, bloopers, and goofs that somehow
slipped past the keen eyes of the editors and made it onto the big screen.
We’ll also be taking some time to reveal several little-known-facts about this iconic
film’s production, casting, and screenplay.
So, buckle up as we dissect this celebrated film in an entirely new light, offering an
engaging and fun-filled exploration that will, without a doubt, deepen your appreciation
of this monumental piece of cinema.
Facts Verse Presents: Gone with the Wind Mistake was Left in the Movie, It's So Obvious Now
"The Vanishing Oak Tree of Tara"
The grandeur of the film is set from the very beginning with the display of a majestic oak
tree located right outside Tara's entrance.
However, its conspicuous absence post the Yankee invasion only to reappear in all its
glory towards the end of the war leaves the audience slightly puzzled.
"The Eleventh-Hour Scarlett"
David Selznick, the film's producer, was still undecided on who would be the best fit for
Scarlett as filming began.
It wasn't until the massive "Burning of Atlanta" scene was being shot that Vivien Leigh, introduced
to Selznick through his brother, joined him on the director's platform, eventually leading
to her legendary screen test.
"The Teleporting Hat"
During an intimate goodbye scene before Rhett enlists, he drops his hat on the ground but
mysteriously retrieves it from atop a fence post post-kiss.
This momentary teleportation of Rhett's hat surely raises eyebrows.
“Leigh's Near Miss with Scarlett"
Despite being an accomplished actress on the London stage, Leigh, an Englishwoman, almost
lost her chance at the role due to her unchanged accent during her first reading.
A rather unconventional approach from director Cukor - a startling strike on the face - set
Leigh back on track and sparked a lasting friendship.
"The Reel Mix-Up"
The Virginia Reel line-up scene encounters a dress switch error.
Initially, Scarlett stands next to a lady in a blue dress, but seconds later, she's
seen standing beside a woman in a light orange dress, with the lady in blue moved further
down.
"The Unwanted Scarlett"
The United Daughters of the Confederacy from Ocala, Florida were quite upset about a British
actress playing an iconic southern character.
Their protest, however, ended abruptly when it was suggested that Katharine Hepburn, a
Yankee, might take up the role instead.
"The Parade of Scarletts"
Archival footage from the screen tests reveals a fascinating array of actresses, each interpreting
Scarlett differently as they profess love for Ashley in the library scene.
"Margaret Mitchell's Unconventional Rhett"
Rhett Butler, as described by Margaret Mitchell in her memoir, was a darker and more nefarious
character compared to Clark Gable's interpretation.
Overwhelmed by the press and the public since selling the film rights to her novel, Mitchell
humorously suggested that comedian Groucho Marx, or even Donald Duck, better represented
Rhett's qualities.
"The Directorial Carousel"
"Gone with the Wind" saw the involvement of three directors.
The original director, George Cukor, was replaced 18 days into shooting due to disagreements
with the producer over filming pace and level of detail.
He was succeeded by Victor Fleming, who later took a break to combat exhaustion, during
which Sam Wood took over.
The final film was the product of all three directors' contributions.
"The Hidden Behind-the-Scenes Footage"
A treasure trove of behind-the-scenes footage from the filming of the film's iconic barbecue
scene lay hidden inside the Brucemore Mansion for decades.
Shot by business tycoon and film enthusiast Howard Hall, the footage was discovered when
the estate was turned over to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
"Ashley's Reluctant Portrayer"
Leslie Howard, portraying Ashley Wilkes, openly despised his role.
Having already played numerous weak characters, Howard found it challenging to play the young
and attractive Ashley.
His dissatisfaction extended to the film itself, which he described as a "terrible lot of nonsense."
"The Soldier's Shifting Burden"
As Scarlett and Rhett make their escape from Atlanta, interspersed scenes of wounded soldiers
marching paint a grim picture.
An intriguing inconsistency is noticed when a bearded man seen assisting a fallen comrade
later swaps his duties, handling a rifle instead, only to be seen carrying the fallen soldier
again.
"The Dramatic Script-Writing Ordeal"
The process of transforming Mitchell's dense novel into a compelling screenplay was so
chaotic and hilariously challenging that it inspired its own stage comedy, "Moonlight
and Magnolias."
It narrates the story of Selznick, Fleming, and script doctor Ben Hecht being locked in
an office for a week, subsisting on nothing but bananas and peanuts, as they worked on
the screenplay.
This intense session resulted in Selznick collapsing from exhaustion and Fleming bursting
a blood vessel in his eye.
"The Preemptive Appearance of Rhett Butler"
A curious goof can be spotted right before Dr. Meade announces Rhett's arrival at the
bazaar.
Rhett and Scarlett can already be seen in the background, moving away from the platform
where Dr. Meade is making the introduction.
"The Oscillating Door at the Hospital"
Scarlett's escape from her morbid duty at the hospital brings about a strange occurrence
with the door she uses for exit.
Initially closing it behind her, a wider shot reveals it to be mysteriously open, while
subsequent close-ups show it to be closed again.
"The Disappearing Accessories"
During the barbecue, Scarlett seems to have misplaced her coral necklace that was previously
on her, and the cord on her hoop appears untied when she rushes out of her bedroom, despite
Mammy just having fastened it.
"The Absent Porch Pillow"
A forgotten pillow disappears from the porch scene where Scarlett converses with the Tarleton
twins.
As she hastily leaves to meet her father, the pillow on which she was sitting is nowhere
to be found.
"The Mystery of Scarlett's Bonnet"
When Scarlett flees from Atlanta, she is without a bonnet.
However, as she and Rhett ride through the depot, she is suddenly seen with a black bonnet,
only for it to disappear in the next scene on the road to Tara.
"Vanishing Figures at Twelve Oaks"
An interesting inconsistency occurs during Scarlett's entrance to the Twelve Oaks stairs.
For a brief moment, Rhett Butler can be spotted in the background, but he inexplicably vanishes
in the very next shot.
"The Magically Disappearing Tarleton Twins"
The scene where Scarlett learns about Ashley's marriage plans from the Tarleton Twins witnesses
a magical disappearance.
When she runs down the driveway in despair, the twins seem to have vanished from the porch
in the wider shot.
"Questionable Afterlife Treatment"
Upon Scarlett's return to Tara, her mother's body is seen in the parlor.
Considering Ellen O'Hara succumbed to typhoid, a quick burial would have been the norm due
to the contagious nature of the disease post-death.
"The Invisible Coat"
When Ashley prepares to head back to the battlefront, Scarlett greets him with his coat at the bottom
of the stairs.
This coat mysteriously disappears in the following shots.
"The Unaided Hat"
A perplexing appearance of Rhett's hat happens when they prepare to leave for Tara.
Despite Scarlett standing on the opposite side of the room holding a lamp, Rhett is
seen wearing a hat that no one else in the room could have helped him put on.
"Prissy's Last Appearance"
In a scene where Mammy, Pork, and Prissy admire their new mansion in Atlanta, Prissy excitedly
comments on their newfound wealth.
However, after this, Prissy never makes an appearance again.
"The Missing Reflections"
As India and Suellen observe Scarlett's interactions with their suitors, they stand in front of
a large mirror that captures the staircase and landing.
Yet when Scarlett meets Frank Kennedy, their figures surprisingly don't appear in the mirror's
reflection.
We hope this deep dive into the history, bloopers, and little-known facts of "Gone with the Wind"
has sparked your interest and brought a new perspective on this cinematic masterpiece.
Now it's your turn to join the conversation!
We'd love to hear your thoughts and reflections on the film.
Did any of these revelations surprise you?
Do you have your own intriguing facts, goofs, or bloopers to share?
Perhaps there's a moment in the movie that stood out to you or a character you feel differently
about now?
Let us know in the comments section down below.
And as always, thanks for watching!