After 75 Years, Frankly, We Still Give a Damn

From the Dec. 2014/Jan. 2015 AARP Magazine by Bill Newcott.

The movie "Gone With the Wind" sits at the halfway mark between us and the Civil War at 75 years.  Atlanta went up in flames at its premier in Atlanta on December 15, 1939.  Most will say it is the most popular film of all time (even bigger than "Avatar") and in adjusted box office receipts has taken in as much at $5.4 billion.

Yet it remains the topic of discussion.  Some have nothing but breathless praise, others fiery condemnation.

Praise is easy.  David O. Selznick brought Margaret Mitchell's novel to life in a huge way, had Clark Gable at the peak of his suavity and Vivien Leigh able to break the hearts of young suitors and even middle aged men.

But, GWTW comes out just months after "12 Years a Slave," which pummels GWTW's fantasy of contented slaves.

Hollywood was a different place in 1939.

But, Miss Scarlett.  --Cooter