Gone With the Wind premiered on the big screen for the first time in Atlanta on December 15, 1939. This now-famous and classic film was the first of its kind and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

However, before it became so popular, the producers, director, and cast had a difficult time attempting to make the film.

The first issue was that the producer, David O. Selznick, refused to cast anyone other than Clark Gable in the role of Rhett, and the actor was not immediately available. They also had difficulty casting Scarlett O’Hara because they couldn’t find the right fit.

The screenplay had to be revised several times because it was always too long for a feature film. Along the way, the producers fired the original director and replaced him with Victor Fleming (who proved to be a great choice.)

However, the film was completed just one month before its scheduled release date, and the entire cast who worked tirelessly to make the film was soon to be rewarded handsomely.

When Gone With the Wind premiered in Atlanta on December 15, 1939, it was an immediate success. Audiences were blown away, and it quickly became the country’s favorite film.

People from all walks of life flocked to the movies to see Gone With the Wind, which went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time. Even after accounting for inflation, it remains the highest-grossing film of all time!

Not only the audience was captivated; critics were as well, and the film was nominated for 13 Academy Awards just a few months later.

The film received ten nominations and won ten awards, setting a record for both nominations and awards at the time.

What people liked (and still like) about Gone With the Wind was that it was a love story set during World War II, but it was told in an incredibly entertaining Hollywood style.

The costumes were vibrant, the makeup was flawless, and the cinematography was truly unparalleled, and as one of the first popular technicolor films, this spectacular extravagant film was accessible to all.

While Gone With the Wind is an all-time American classic, many modern viewers find several issues in the storyline and actions of the characters, such as the treatment of African-American characters and the marital rape between Rhett and Scarlett.

Much of the culture of the time is now considered outdated, if not inappropriate. However, if you understand that the screenplay was written at a different time in history, you can still enjoy the film’s magic.