Producing Gone With the Wind

[Sid J.]

I visited this exhibition last week (it is scheduled to close Jan 4) at the Harry Ransom Center at UT-Austin. It was really very interesting, though more for cinematic and Hollywood history than for Civil War era history. It was very crowded (Free Admission) and featured Scarlett O'Hara's wardrobe, some original some recreations. Sorry for the low quality of my phone photography:

 

[Sid J.]

More dresses:

 

[Sid J.]

Story Boards for the "Burning of Atlanta" scenes:

 

[Sid J.]

The exhibition also had a lot of correspondence regarding actresses/actors for the leading roles, and various interest groups getting their .02 in:

 

[Sid J.]

 

[Sid J.]

The shows primary sponsor was Turner Classic Movies (surprise!!) and they offered some souvenirs as well:

 

[Billy Yank]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jgoodguy]

Thanks!

 

[AndyHall]

That's neat. I'm sorry I'll miss that one.

IIRC, the Burning of Atlanta scene was shot first, as it was done by burning down a good bit of the MGM backlot to accommodate the new sets. It was filmed before the role of Scarlett had been cast, so it was shot from angles that didn't show her face clearly. They had to go back later and shoot the close-ups with Vivien Leigh later, and put them together in the editing room.

 

[MRB1863]

Story Boards for the "Burning of Atlanta" scenes:View attachment 55639 View attachment 55640

Eric,
Interesting post about the exhibition! Some time ago, at an estate sale, I found and bought a book entitled "The Road to Tara". It was published in 1996 and is about the making of "Gone With the Wind". The book covers script and set changes, character selection, set design and many illustrations that resemble the storyboards and scenes you've shared. Reading the book has re-sparked my interest in the movie. Thanks for your post.

 

[Cilla]

I visited it there too a week and a half ago and also got to see the world's oldest photograph The dresses blew my mind! I loved it.

 

[civilwarincolor]

OK, so not exactly from the movie, but this is my favorite GWTW dress. I had the chance to see it a few years ago at the Smithsonian, brought back so many memories, one of the funniest moments in TV.

Carole Burnett: "I saw it in the window and just couldn't resit it!"

 

[Northern Light]

Thanks for posting this! I would have liked to see it, although Gone with the Wind is not one of my favourite books or movies.

 

[Patrick H]

This is a very interesting thread and it appears you saw a wonderful exhibit. Thanks especially for including shots of the story boards. Wow. What a bit of cinematic history that is!

 

[Rebel_Giratina]

I want that "Frankly, my dear..." T-shirt. Is it available on TCM's website?

 

[FarawayFriend]

... I would prefer a T-Shirt that makes me look like Scarlett in her ballroom dress from the beginning of the movie ...