Third time lucky
The production of the epic romantic drama was nothing short of disastrous. The film’s first director, George Cukor, would be unceremoniously fired after less than three weeks. Rumors made the rounds that Gable believed the director was an unfit choice for the job, while Cukor and producer, Selznick, struggled to agree on the film’s script. Victor Fleming was next to take a seat in the director’s chair but would temporarily leave production after suffering a nervous breakdown. Sam Wood would then take over the director’s role during Fleming’s absence.
Hattie makes history
Hattie McDaniel played the role of Mammy, Scarlett’s scolding and golden-hearted house servant. In 1939, McDaniel would become the first African American to win an Academy Award- she was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The 12th Academy Awards were held at the Coconut Grove Restaurant of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Though the hotel had a strict policy against allowing African Americans on the premises, an exception was made so the actress to attend the event.