Gone With the Wind – the epic Civil War saga debuted on a bitterly cold day (December 15) in 1939.  Thousands stood in line to see the film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of love and war.  The public was not disappointed, nor have legions of movie-goers who have viewed GWTW during the last 75 years.

This is the movie that defines all other movies.  It took three directors (George Cukor, Visitor Fleming, and Sam Wood) to bring this epic tale to the big screen.  Producer David O. Selznick had the enormous job of balancing being authentic and meeting public expectations.  In the end, 10 Oscars would be bestowed upon this masterpiece.  If you adjust for inflation, Gone With the Wind is the highest grossing film of all time.

It is the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the movie’s debut, and Gone With the Wind is being re-released in a theater near you.  Turner Classic Movies has fully restored the movie, and there is also a new introduction to the movie in this Fathom presentation.

I hate to tell you, but October 1, 2014 is the last day to see Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh (plus a host of others) on the big screen at this 75th Anniversary Celebration.  HERE is the official site to learn more.

Another item of note:

The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas is sponsoring a special exhibit titled The Making of Gone With the Wind.  More than 300 rare items will be shown.  The green curtain dress that Scarlet wore has been restored (at a cost of $10,000) and is on display.  This exhibit will run through January 4, 2015.

I have these events on my calendar.  See you at the movies.

Blessings to you and yours,

I also noticed that there is a Gone With the Wind Remembered Museum in Cleburne, Texas.  In the past 30 years, Vicky Rogers amassed over 6000 GWTW collectibles.  People who collect Gone With the Wind items are called “windies”.  I like that!  I think I will put this museum on my “Want to Do” list also. Normal business hours are Thursday – Saturdays 10 to 6, and Sundays noon to 5.  But hours are subject to change, and they suggest calling before you make a special trip to Cleburne just to see the museum.

I wasn’t sure about copyright of the images, so I did not include them in this post.  Go to the linked sites to see images.