The film rights to Gone With the Wind were purchased by David O. Selznick in 1937 for $50,000. He immediately set out a publicized nationwide search for Scarlett O'Hara. Because Selznick was contracted to start filming with Clark Gable as Rhett Butler as soon as Clark had finished his current film, the best Scarlett that had shown up by that point would end up playing the role - they had no other choice. By December 1938 - there were four actresses left in the running: Jean Arthur, Joan Bennett, Katherine Hepburn, and Loretta Young. Vivien Leigh however, had just arrived in Hollywood and visited the set the first night of shooting…
The film rights to Gone With the Wind were purchased by David O. Selznick in 1937 for $50,000. He immediately set out a publicized nationwide search for Scarlett O'Hara. Because Selznick was contracted to start filming with Clark Gable as Rhett Butler as soon as Clark had finished his current film, the best Scarlett that had shown up by that point would end up playing the role - they had no other choice. By December 1938 - there were four actresses left in the running: Jean Arthur, Joan Bennett, Katherine Hepburn, and Loretta Young. Vivien Leigh however, had just arrived in Hollywood and visited the set the first night of shooting…
During its production, Vivien Leigh worked very hard and long hours from early morning until late evening, in addition to practicing a Southern accent for four hours each day. Her hair was not altered or cut for the film, but padding was added to enhance her bosom. Press and film articles said her parents were of French and Irish decent to connect her real life to the role of Scarlett. It took a total of 122 days on set for her to complete her part, six days of filming a week, sometimes working twenty solid hours and then returning to the set after only four hours sleep. She disliked kissing Clark Gable because of his false teeth and found much of the dialogue 'ridiculous' thinking no one would believe a lot of the scenes they shot. It was exhausting for everyone involved. One scene in particular - Melanie's death - was shot near the end of production after a long day of shooting.
The film itself was cut from 6 hours down to under 4 (the length it remains today), and received a standing ovation from crying and cheering audience members that gala night. In addition to great acclaim and press coverage worldwide, Margaret Mitchell said she was very pleased with the results, especially David O. Selznick's determination to get the perfect cast. After all the hard work - 1400 interviews, 400 readings, 90 professional screen tests, and $100,000 spent on finding her - the world had found their Scarlett in the shape of Vivien Leigh.
The film itself was a grand achievement; over 5000 items had been designed for the wardrobe, half a million feet of film shot (approximately 85 hours of raw footage), and 90 sets built (the 'City of Atlanta' set alone having over 50 buildings). 60 million people waited anxiously across the United States to see it that winter, and the book remained a consistent best-seller. A legend had been born, and in many ways, Hollywood would never again top the spectacle, excitement, or phenomenon that Gone With The Wind achieved.
