GONE WITH THE WIND
Thanksgiving is the number one day for movie going. And this holiday season there is a chance to take a little road trip to see the number one movie of all time worldwide.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of Gone With the Wind, Gadsden State history professor George W. Terrell Jr. organized the largest display of GWTW memorabilia ever mounted in the United States which is on view at Gadsden’s Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts.
So you can you get up to Gadsden and see the memorabilia which includes original costumes, a copy of the origianl script and extensive displays of the collectibles created in conjunction with the first non-children’s movie, when it came out in 1939, to be the subject of extensive merchandising. So it is the origin of your Spider Man sleeping bag.
In addition to the museum displays, there is an opportunity to see the film shown on the big screen in a vintage theatre the way it was meant to be seen. That will occur at 2 pm on December 15, the anniversary of the movie’s Atlanta premiere at Lowe’s Grand. The film, popcorn and a drink are free. Donations are welcome at the Pittman Theatre in the 600 Block of Broad Street, near the arts center.
Another great resource for the exhibition is Terrell himself who has a vast knowledge of all trivia surropunding the film, the book, its cast and characters.
To mark the 111 Birthday of Margaret Mitchell and to give thanks to George W. Terrell Jr for his hard work and talents, November 8, 2011 was proclaimed “Happy 111th and Thank You George Terrell Day” in Gadsden.
Terrell can walk you through all the hush-hush sleeping arrangements for the stars at the Atlanta premiere, as well as all the changes that occurred to the ending of the original copy of the script that is on display. Terrell can even delve into the deriva- tion of the title in minute detail, with period items that represent Margaret Mitchell’s original sources, as well as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s contribution to the original lan-guage of the novel.
This follows prior shows organized by Terrell. The first was “Frankly My Dear” in 1991, and the second in 2001 was “Gone With the Wind Remembered” a farewell showing of many items from the Herb Bridges Collection prior to their sale at Christie’s. The planning of this exhibition took more than two years and includes items drawn fromleading GWTW collections across the country. By borrowing items from many collectors, the exhibition shows numerous pieces that have never been seen by the general public, or even by die-hard GWTW fans While the exhibition marks the Diamond Jubilee anniversary of the book, much of the material on display relates to the famous 1939 movie version and features original costume pieces, furniture and props from the movie. Also on view are original artwork and production materials used in the preparation of the film, along with the merchandising memorabilia collectibles; many of these treasures are believed to be the only surviving example of their kind.
Included are rare promotional pieces created for the movie’s world premiere in Atlanta in 1939, as well as the most complete collection of Gone With the Wind books ever assembled.
Included in the Margaret Mitchell section are signed first editions, original letters, cards and personal items. And a copy of the novel in every language and from every country in which it has been published, including almost 100 different editions from China alone. Original costume pieces include Scarlett’s hat that Rhett Butler brought her from Paris and the outfit worn by Bonnie Blue, Rhett and Scarlett’s daughter.
One of the most impressive parts of the display are the original movie posters from around the world, which have become valuable auction items in their own right. In particular, the French posters are works of art.
Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation Mary G Hardin- Center for Cultural Arts 501 Broad Street/ PO Box 1507 Gadsden, AL 35902-1507 256 543 2787 www.culturalarts.org
Photos courtesy of the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation.
