Gone with the Wind

DECEMBER 15, 1939, "GONE WITH THE WIND" MOVIE PREMIER AT LOWES GRAND THEATER, ATLANTA

The film version of Margaret Mitchell’s novel, “Gone with the Wind,” made its debut at Loew’s Grand Theater at the corner of Peachtree and Forsyth Streets with approximately 18,0000 Atlantans gathered outside on December 15, 1939.

The movie would go on to be huge hit across the nation and earned 8 Academy Awards.

The premier consisted of three days of parades, appearances, parties, and then the screening of the much-anticipated movie!

Did you know the film was completed in 140 days with 5 directors and several screenwriters including F. Scott Fitzgerald at one point?

Did you know that the film’s producer, David O. Selznick, did not want to pay $50,000 for the movie rights to the book saying Civil War movies always bombed at the box office? At the time, it was the highest price ever paid for a first novel.

Did you know that absolutely none of the movie was filmed in Atlanta? The breathtaking scene of the burning of Atlanta in the movie is considered one of the most expensive scenes to have been shot at that time, but it didn’t happen here in Atlanta.

Did you know the “Burning of Atlanta” scene was the first scene filmed for the movie? This was because it would be the most expensive and they only had one shot to make it work. Several old Hollywood sets on the backlot were burned to the ground during this part of the film.

Fun Fact: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was at the premier singing with one of the choirs that performed during the opening ceremonies.

Sad Fact: Most of the film’s major white actors attended the premier in Atlanta except Leslie Howard—but none of the black actors were invited. Some sources say Hattie McDaniel who played the role of Mammy refused to attend because the Loew’s Grand had segregated seating. Either way Hattie McDaniel did receive the Academy Award for her role as Mammy…rightly so! However, even in Los Angeles in the 1930s she sat at a segregated table at the side of the room during the Oscars ceremony. Hattie McDaniel was the very first African American actress to win an Oscar!