Gone with the Wind

1. In class we discussed Hollywood and Black Cinema. We talked about the use of black actors in film such as Bill Robinson in musicals and comedies with Shirley Temple. We also talked about early black filmmakers such as Oscar Micheaux. Then we discussed Margaret Mitchell and how she wrote the novel Gone with the Wind. It was the only novel she had published; it took her 10 years to write it; and she sold the rights of it to Selznick. We also discussed the amazing cast of the film that included Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, Hattie McDaniel, Butterfly McQueen, Olivia De Havilland, and Leslie Howard. The film won 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Hattie McDaniel was the first African American actress to be nominated and win an Academy Award. Gone with the Wind is ranked 4th in American Film Institute's Top 100 Best American Films of All Time. Gone with the Wind is also the highest grossing movie of all time. It's also the first movie to use a curse word; "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," most famous line from the film.

2. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/414427/Gone-With-the-Wind/articles.html#02
The article I found written by Frank Miller and Roger Fristoe talked about David O. Selznick and the success of Gone with the Wind. It talked about how it was called "Selznick's Folly," while it was still in production and how when it premiered in December in 1939 it amazed many Hollywood reporters and audiences. It also talked about all of the Oscars the film was nominated for and won and how it was up against many other major films that came out that year such as Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Chips, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. It also discussed the major effect it had on Selznick's career, the breakthrough it had in the use of color on screen, and the big blow it had on the production code.

3. After reading the article my perception of the film changed a little bit. Gone with the Wind was a very impressive film that went up against many other great films in the Academy Awards as discussed in the article and came out on top with 8 Oscars including Best Picture. The article helped me realize the great effect Gone with the Wind had on Hollywood films. It was the first film to use a curse word and it was also a breakthrough in the use of color on screen. The article also helped me realize the great effect the film had on independent producers.

4. In my opinion, Gone with the Wind was not only a great film but a very impressive film. Gone with the Wind is one of the most important films in film history. The film was a breakthrough in many areas of film. It is the highest grossing film of all time. It was the first film to use a curse word which led to use of adult material and la

nguage in future films. The film had a great effect on independent producers. The film also came out in 1939 which was the most competitive year in the Academy Awards. The film went up against many major titles and came out with 8 major Academy Awards including Best Picture. Hattie McDaniel was also the first African American to be nominated and win an Oscar. Gone with the Wind is also ranked 4th in AFI's Top 100 Best American Films of All Time.