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Gone with the Wednesday: 45 Atlanta Premiere Facts
1. Tickets for the premiere went on sale at Loews Grand Theater on November 18, 1939. 2. The premiere festivities lasted from December 13-15, 1939. 3. Ann Rutherford (Careen O’Hara) was the first star to arrive, on December 13. She was given the key to the city. 4. One of Ann’s first stops was at the Atlanta Journal newspaper offices, where she requested to see where Margaret Mitchell worked. She had her picture taken at the typewriter Ms. Mitchell used. 5. Vivien Leigh (Scarlett O’Hara) arrived on December 13, accompanied by Olivia de Havilland (Melanie Wilkes), Mr. and Mrs. Selznick and Laurence Olivier. 6. Evelyn Keyes (Suellen O’Hara) and Ona Munson (Belle…
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Gone with the Wednesday: My Film Passion
In 2013, I participated in a blogathon that asked to describe the film that peaked your interest in classic films. My choice was, of course, Gone with the Wind. Read why here!
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Gone with the Wednesday: It Pays to Advertise
Here’s just a small representation of the many kinds of posters used to promote Gone with the Wind upon it’s release and re-release:
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Gone with the Wednesday: Clark Gable Rights a Wrong
This is one heartwarming story from the set of Gone with the Wind. Lenny Bluett, a young black man playing an extra in the film, was distraught over discovering that the port-a-potties on the set were labeled for White and Colored. He brought to the attention of Clark Gable, who had a few choice words for Vic Fleming and the property manager… I just love that video. Clark was far from perfect (who is?) but it ruffles my feathers when I have heard people call him racist (don’t even get me started on Marcella Rabwin’s book!!!). I have no idea where that came from, but he was in no…
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Gone with the Wednesday: Who’s That Girl?
Many people over the years have seen the above photo of Clark clutching hands and beaming at this random brunette woman in Atlanta and wondered, WHO is that incredibly lucky girl? The answer is…Mildred Hartsfield. William B. Hartsfield was the 49th Mayor of the city of Atlanta (and yes, that airport you transfer in everytime you fly Delta is named after him). He was mayor from 1937-1962, the longest tenure of any Atlanta mayor. He was in full support of hosting the premiere of Gone with the Wind , seeing it as an oppurtunity to show off his fine city to the world and therefore pulled out all the stops. He declared…
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Gone with the Wednesday: Memorable Scenes Await You!
From Screenland magazine in December 1939, a preview of some of the scenes that were awaiting audiences!
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Gone with the Wednesday: Frankly My Dear, I Think I’ll Have a Drink
The Atlanta Convention and Vistors Bureau, to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the film, is promoting a contest among local restaurants to see who has the best Gone with the Wind-themed cocktail! Even if you don’t live in Atlanta and can’t make it out these fine restaurants to try the concoctions, you can make your own at home, per the recipes below. I’m not much of a drinker, but I’m enjoying the names–“Selfish and Shewd,” “A Bid for Scarlett,” “Courage or Reputation,” “Tara Tea,” “Don’t Call Me Sugar, “Sweet Melanie,” and “Don’t Drink Alone.” You can vote for your favorite here. Entries: ___ Aja Take Her to Bed After a long…