Scarlett Letters: The Making of the Film Gone With the Wind

Margaret Mitchell sold the movie rights to her novel Gone With the Wind for fifty thousand dollars one month after its publication. She initially distanced herself from the film, fearing Hollywood would alter her story. However, her maternal interest and Southern manners led her to engage with the production. This collection of letters provides a front-row seat to Mitchell's observations of filmmaking and interactions with Hollywood figures. She corrected errors, dealt with fans, and maintained her sense of humor throughout the process. The letters offer a fresh perspective on the iconic film as it celebrates its seventy-fifth anniversary.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 536 pages
\n Publication date: 01 May 2018
\n Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
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Margaret Mitchell's novel Gone With the Wind was published one month after its release, and she sold the movie rights for fifty thousand dollars. The author was initially hesitant to involve herself in the film due to concerns about the studio's potential changes to her story. She jokingly expressed her fear that Hollywood might portray Scarlett O'Hara seducing General Sherman. Despite her reservations, Mitchell's maternal interest in her literary creation and her Southern manners compelled her to respond to every fan letter she received.

In this collection of letters, readers gain a front-row seat as Mitchell observes the workings of the Dream Factory firsthand. She delves into the intricacies of filmmaking, gaining insights into the industry and the peculiarities of the movie-crazed public. Mitchell's storytelling prowess, evident in Gone With the Wind, is captivating in her correspondence with a who's who of Hollywood. She interacts with producers David O. Selznick, George Cukor, and screenwriter Sidney Howard, as well as cast members such as Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, and Hattie McDaniel.

Mitchell also wrote to thousands of others, including aspiring actresses, fellow Southerners, movie fans, and creators of songs, dolls, and Scarlett panties. These individuals sought her involvement in the film, hoping to gain fame and fortune through association with her. During the film's production, Mitchell corrected erring journalists and the producers' over-the-top publicist, who fed the gossip mills with inaccurate information. Once the movie finished, Mitchell faced challenges dealing with friends and strangers who resorted to extreme measures to obtain tickets, including fighting and trampling children and breaking lifelong friendships.

Overall, this collection of letters provides a unique perspective on the making of the 1939 motion picture classic Gone With the Wind, offering insights into Mitchell's thoughts, interactions, and the impact of the film on her life and the public's perception of her.

\n Weight: 724g\n
Dimension: 143 x 222 x 33 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781493033546\n \n