SHEARER TO STAR IN ‘GONE WITH WIND’

Microfiche-New York Times archives | 6/24/38 | No byline

[Homer_J_Simpson]

SHEARER TO STAR IN ‘GONE WITH WIND’

Selznick Casts Her in part of Scarlett O’Hara, With Gable as Rhett

GEORGE CUKOR TO DIRECT

Roles Listed for Margaret Tallichet, Maurice Murphy and Walter Connolly

Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. HOLLYWOOD, June 23. – The long-delayed “Gone With the Wind” will go before the cameras at Selznick-International in December with Clark Gable as Rhett Butler and Norma Shearer as Scarlett O’Hara, it was learned authoritatively today. By the transaction through which David O. Selznick acquires the two Metro stars the picture will be made under the MGM banner and released by that concern.

The casting, which will be officially announced within a few days, has ended one of Hollywood’s major controversies. Virtually every star of any prominence has been mentioned for the top roles and for a time Selznick conducted a search for an unknown to play Scarlett.

The picture will start after Miss Shearer and Gable complete “Idiot’s Delight” at Metro, and the others thus far selected or the film are Walter Connolly as Gerald O’Hara, Maurice Murphy as Charlie Hamilton and Margaret Tallichet as Careen O’Hara. George Cukor will direct.

Bought for $50,000

The Margaret Mitchell novel of the South was purchased by Selznick before publication for a reputed $50,000. Since then an additional $250,000 expense has been incurred in preparation and tests. It is expected that the total budget will approach $1,500,000. Distribution by Metro of this single film will not affect Selznick-International’s arrangement with United Artists, which will continue to handle the other products of the studio.

[Larry Lucido]

You mean it’s not gonna be Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Another movie that should have been aborted was the Greer Garson, Laurence Olivie version of Pride and Prejudice.

I'll make it a point to miss it. I wouldn't want to see anything that reflected badly on Greer Garson. I kind of conflate her, Myrna Loy and Claudette Colbert as an idealized model of the American woman in film.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Actresses tested for the role of Scarlett:

http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/web/gwtw/scarlett/girltest.html

[CougarGA7]

1.5 million to make the movie. I did a little spit balling and thats around 25 million in today’s dollars. I guess that’s relatively cheap compared to what some movies cost these days.

[grey_whiskers]

Al Franken Michael Moore would be a perfect choice to play the lead role in The Blob.

There, all fixed! :-)

Cheers!