We found a cool collection of 23 rarely seen photos taken behind-the-scenes during production of David O. Selznick’s Gone With the Wind (1939), starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh and directed by Victor Fleming and George Cukor.
The film has been criticized as historical revisionism glorifying slavery, but nevertheless, it has been credited for triggering changes to the way African-Americans are depicted on film. It was re-released periodically throughout the 20th century and became ingrained in popular culture. The film is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time; it has placed in the top ten of the American Film Institute’s list of top 100 American films since the list’s inception in 1998, and in 1989, the United States Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry
Clark Gable and director Victor Fleming, seated, reading script notes.
Clark Gable as Rhett Butler and Vivien Leigh, dancing. Both are standing on a movable floor, being watched by dancers and director George Cukor, before he left production.
Crew filming Peachtree Street scene; director Victor Fleming works with Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara and William Bakewell as mounted Officer.
Director Victor Fleming leaning against bed post, technical advisor Susan Myrick, and crew members looking at girls in bed.
Director Victor Fleming looking at Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, who is standing in doorway, wearing red gown.
Director Victor Fleming standing and laughing with Ona Munson as Belle Watling while Olivia De Havilland as Melanie Hamilton and Leona Roberts as Mrs. Meade look on from behind.
Director Victor Fleming, holding Mickey Kuhn as Beau Wilkes.
Director Victor Fleming, looking through camera.
Director Victor Fleming, seated next to Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara.
The production of the film was troubled from the start. Filming was delayed for two years due to Selznick’s determination to secure Gable for the role of Rhett Butler, and the “search for Scarlett” led to 1,400 women being interviewed for the part. The original screenplay was written by Sidney Howard, but underwent many revisions by several writers in an attempt to get it down to a suitable length. The original director, George Cukor, was fired shortly after filming had begun and was replaced by Fleming, who in turn was briefly replaced by Sam Wood while Fleming took some time off due to exhaustion.
Make up artist Monte Westmore applies make up to actor Leslie Howard in the role of Ashley.
Make up still of actress Vivien Leigh in the role of Scarlett O’Hara.v
Nap sequence during the barbecue at Twelve Oaks. Director Victor Fleming can be seen with camera on right of bed.
Olivia De Havilland as Melanie Hamilton, with Ric Holt as Beau Wilkes (11 months) seated on her lap. Seated alongside is Phillip Trent as a hungry solider, and director Victor Fleming.
Producer David O Selznick, director Victor Fleming, Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, on the set for final scene of the film.
Replaced director George Cukor, standing with Clark Gable who plays Rhett Butler.
Susan Myrick, technical adviser, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, smoking pipe, director Victor Fleming, all seated and laughing.
Victor Fleming looking at Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, who is standing in doorway, wearing red gown.
Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara laying in bed, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, director Victor Fleming and man holding light meter.
Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, Clark Gable who plays Rhett Butler, and director Victor Fleming, on the Atlanta evacuation set.
Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, seated at dressing table, with lighting man leaning over shoulder.
Vivien Leigh touches up her make up as the crew and actors Fred Crane and George Reeves prepare to film the final version of the porch scene.
All photos by Harry Ransom Center
