GONE WITH THE WIND: BEHIND-THE-SCENES DRAMA

 GONE WITH THE WIND: BEHIND-THE-SCENES DRAMA
THE DIRECTOR WHO WAS FIRED FROM GONE WITH THE WIND 

The drama surrounding Gone With the Wind wasn’t limited to what happened on screen.

George Cukor, the film’s original director, had spent roughly two years preparing for the enormous production. But only weeks after principal photography began in 1939, Cukor was suddenly out. He was replaced by Victor Fleming, who ultimately received the directing credit.

So what happened?

That’s where things get interesting. 

Cukor and producer David O. Selznick had serious creative disagreements, and Cukor also had difficulties with Clark Gable. Over the decades, numerous stories have circulated claiming that Gable played a major role in getting Cukor removed. However, some of the more sensational versions of that story remain Hollywood gossip rather than firmly established fact.

What we do know is that Cukor was replaced by Fleming—and even that didn’t end the directing turmoil.

Fleming eventually became so exhausted during the grueling production that he temporarily stepped away, and Sam Wood was brought in to direct during his absence. In fact, three directors—Cukor, Fleming and Wood—contributed to the finished movie, although Fleming received the official screen credit.

It’s incredible to think that one of Hollywood’s most famous films was being made amid so much chaos behind the camera.

 Would you have ever guessed there was this much drama happening while Gone With the Wind was being filmed?

And stay tuned… because this is only #1 in our new Behind-the-Scenes Drama series. 

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