SCARLETT'S PA AND HIS HOLLYWOOD HORSE!

 SCARLETT'S PA AND HIS HOLLYWOOD HORSE!

Here's a wonderful photograph of Thomas Mitchell as Gerald O'Hara, posing with his magnificent white horse during the production of Gone With the Wind.
But here's something you might not know!
Thomas Mitchell was reportedly terrified of horses! 
Despite playing the fearless, fence-jumping Gerald O'Hara, Mitchell reportedly had an agreement that he wouldn't have to perform the riding scenes himself.
Instead, stunt rider Carey Harrison handled the dangerous riding sequences.
And the horse? His name was Silver Chief, a Hollywood veteran who also played the Lone Ranger's famous horse, Silver, in the 1939 movie serial The Lone Ranger Rides Again!
Remember Gerald's first appearance, when Scarlett catches him jumping fences despite his promise to Ellen?
That seemingly playful scene becomes heartbreaking when Gerald later dies following another dangerous jump.
And there's an even sadder connection.
Years later, Scarlett's daughter Bonnie Blue suffers her own fatal riding accident, echoing the tragedy that took her grandfather's life. 
Did you ever notice the heartbreaking connection between Gerald and Bonnie's riding accidents?