Gone with the Wind

Considering the iconic status that this film enjoys, there wasn't any better occasion to see it for the first time than on the big screen in celebration of its 75th anniversary. The digital restoration was impressive I must say but having grown up long after it was first released, it doesn't connect with me as much as it will for others. My upbringing also varies from that of those characters in the film. I won't deny the legacy of "Gone with the Wind" though. It is the quintessential epic film of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

If there is one thing I can relate to in this movie, it is Scarlett's love for Tara. Having grown up on a cattle ranch, I have so much love for that place despite that I don't like the idea of ranching as a career. This movie would have been a waste of time for me if it had not been for two characters: Melanie and Rhett. The establishing shot of Rhett was well handled and adds to his romantic charm. I also love his first scene with Scarlett, especially the way he reveals that he was in the room and overheard everything. Rhett is a much better character in the first half of the show: smooth and sharp. He can see right through Scarlett. Melanie is the exact opposite of Scarlett: kind, forgiving and Christ-like. If I were Ashley, I would have also preferred Melanie to Scarlett. I think the story would have been a lot better if it had centered on Melanie but that is not what the original author penned so I can't argue my case. The more deception that Scarlett undertook in the movie, the more I despised her. I liked the ending of "Gone with the Wind" because even though Scarlett has done away with her manipulation in the wake of Melanie’s death, it is too late. She must suffer the consequences of her actions. Bonnie Blue's death was spoiled to me only a week before I saw the movie and that bugged me but at least Melanie's death was a surprise to me. The whose story is from the perspective of white southerners and the opening text makes this clear. I am not the only one to say that I am uncomfortable in how the film praises slavery as romantic practice. The idea of the old south being a place of royalty and servants isn't accurate. I can't understand some scenes in the movie such as when slaves are going to dig trenches for the Confederates because they want to. Reconstruction is also shown in a negative light. I don't think this was intentional as one might assume however. The 30's were still a time of inequality. For example, when the film premiered in Atlanta, Georgia, the black actors could not go because of Jim Crow laws. Clark Gable, upon hearing this, almost didn't attend himself and I wouldn't have blamed him. Thankfully, the movie did begin the process of changing how African Americans are portrayed in Hollywood. The cinematography in some scenes is quite noteworthy such as the extreme close-ups while the women sew and the dolly shot moving in on Scarlett when she comes to Ashley's birthday party. The use of silhouette against a red sky is probably the most iconic element visually in "Gone with the Wind". Because each part of the movie begins with nothing but musical score, I was able to take note

As one might expect, the making of this movie has also become part of Hollywood folklore. There were only two names in the opening credits that I recognized right away from other movies: director Victor Fleming and actor Cliff Edwards (the voice of Jiminy Cricket). The story of directing this film resembles that of "The Wizard of Oz". In fact, Fleming was working on that film when he was first approached to direct "Gone with the Wind". He went straight from "Wizard" to "Wind" and he wasn't able to finish directing the "Gone with the Wind" understandably because of fatigue. While watching the film, I tried to keep my eyes out for Cliff Edwards but missed recognizing him. He plays a "reminiscent soldier" apparently. Producer David O. Selznick labored for two years to cast the lead roles. It took that long because Clark Gable was under contract in another studio and Selznick wouldn't consider anyone else for the role of Rhett. Another reason was the extensive & publicized search for the actress who would perform opposite Gable. This publicity did much in making the movie a smash hit. After interviewing 1400 women, it came down to Paulette Goddard and Vivien Leigh. Goddard seemed to be favored over Leigh but the controversy of Goddard's marriage to Charlie Chaplin is what ended the contest. Olivia de Havilland, who plays Melanie, was in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" the year before "Gone with the Wind" came out. I knew I recognized her from somewhere. She would later win two Oscars for other roles but her first should have been for this movie. At least she was nominated. Another name in this movie I should have recognized is George Reeves, who plays one of the Tarleton twins. In the 50's, he would become even more famous for playing another set of "twins": Clark Kent and Superman. Rhett's famous last line in the movie was the first time that particular word was spoken in a Hollywood production. An amendment to the Production Code of the MPA only a month before the film's release made it possible. The fine that was supposedly imposed on the producers is still part of Hollywood legend. "Gone with the Wind" was first previewed to an audience by surprise. They had just finished seeing a double feature and it was announced that the audience could stay, if they wanted, to see a third film. After agreeing to some secrecy rules, the doors were sealed and a cheer went up when the title appeared.

Oscar nominations for this show include Best Actor (Gable), Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score (lost to "The Wizard of Oz" thankfully) and Best Sound Recording. "Gone with the Wind" also had two nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category. My choice would have been Olivia de Havilland but her cast member, Hattie McDaniel, won instead. That made her the first African American to win an Oscar (unfortunately, she had to sit separate from her cast members at the ceremony in the back of the room). This movie garnished many other wins at the Academy Awards such as for Best Picture, Director, Actress (Leigh), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing and Art Direction. "Gone with the Wind" also won an honorary Academy Award for the advancement of color in a dramatic movie. The movie is also found all over the lists of the American Film Institute. It #6 on the list of the greatest movies of all time, #2 for romantic movies with "Casablanca" taking top spot, #2 for film scores with "Star Wars" being #1, #4 for epic films and #43 on the list of the most inspiring films. Most notably, on the AFI list of the greatest movie quotes, "Gone with the Wind" is included three times: "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again." (#59), "After all, tomorrow is another day!" (#31) and Rhett's final line is the greatest movie quote of all time.

If you adjust for inflation, "Gone with the Wind" is the most successful movie in history. It was the "Titanic" of its time because it cost a fortune to make and the publicity preceding the film's release caused the show to be overhyped. It is a well made film but made for a different kind of moviegoer than myself.

3 Stars