For her performance as "Mammy" in Gone with the Wind, Hattie McDaniel becomes the first African American to win an Academy Award.

Step back in time to 1939, a pivotal year in cinematic history that saw the release of Gone with the Wind, an epic American historical romance film that swept audiences off their feet. This cinematic masterpiece drew its compelling narrative from Margaret Mitchell's best-selling 1936 novel, meticulously brought to the screen by producer David O. Selznick of Selznick International Pictures and helmed by director Victor Fleming. The sprawling saga unfolds against the tumultuous backdrop of the American South, spanning the devastating American Civil War and the subsequent challenging Reconstruction era. At its heart is Scarlett O'Hara, portrayed with unforgettable fire by Vivien Leigh, a headstrong daughter of a Georgia plantation owner whose romantic pursuits drive much of the story. We follow her unwavering, though unrequited, affection for Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), who is wed to his gentle cousin, Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland), before her eventual, tempestuous marriage to the charismatic and roguish Rhett Butler (Clark Gable).

The Tumultuous Journey to the Silver Screen

The creation of Gone with the Wind was, in itself, a dramatic tale rife with challenges and delays, echoing the very turmoil depicted in the film. Production was notoriously troubled, with the start of principal photography pushed back by two full years until January 1939. This significant delay was largely due to Selznick's unwavering determination to secure the iconic Clark Gable for the pivotal role of Rhett Butler, a casting choice that would become legendary. The search for Scarlett was equally arduous, a quest that saw an astonishing 1,400 unknown women interviewed, a testament to the character's demanding nature. The original screenplay, penned by Sidney Howard, underwent countless revisions by various writers, all striving to condense Mitchell's expansive narrative into a manageable length for the screen. Creative differences and intense pressure also led to directorial changes; George Cukor, the initial director, was dismissed shortly after filming began, with Victor Fleming stepping in. Even Fleming briefly stepped away due to sheer exhaustion, necessitating a temporary takeover by Sam Wood. Despite these immense hurdles, post-production wrapped up remarkably swiftly in November 1939, just a month before its grand theatrical debut.

A Cinematic Phenomenon and its Enduring Legacy

Upon its much-anticipated release in December 1939, Gone with the Wind garnered widespread critical acclaim, though it wasn't without its detractors. The casting, particularly of Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, was universally lauded for its brilliance. However, its considerable running time often drew criticism from some corners. At the prestigious 12th Academy Awards, the film made history, receiving an astounding ten Academy Awards (eight competitive and two honorary) from thirteen nominations. This included highly coveted wins for Best Picture, Best Director (for Fleming), Best Adapted Screenplay (awarded posthumously to Sidney Howard), Best Actress (for the mesmerizing Leigh), and a groundbreaking Best Supporting Actress for Hattie McDaniel, who etched her name into history as the first African American to ever win an Oscar. The film set new records for the total number of wins and nominations at the time, solidifying its place in Hollywood lore.

Beyond its critical accolades, Gone with the Wind was an unparalleled popular success. It instantly became the highest-earning film ever made up to that point, a record it proudly held for over a quarter of a century. Even today, when adjusted for monetary inflation, it remains the highest-grossing film in cinematic history, a true testament to its enduring appeal. The movie was re-released periodically throughout the 20th century, cementing its status as a permanent fixture in popular culture. While undeniably a masterpiece of filmmaking, the film has faced significant criticism, particularly in modern times, for its perceived historical negationism and for romanticizing slavery and the "Lost Cause of the Confederacy" myth. Yet, paradoxically, it has also been credited with inadvertently triggering crucial changes in the way African Americans were depicted cinematically, opening a door for future representation. Regardless of its complex legacy, Gone with the Wind is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, and its cultural significance was formally recognized in 1989 when it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

Hattie McDaniel: Breaking Barriers with Brilliance

Hattie McDaniel (June 10, 1893 – October 26, 1952) was much more than just an actress; she was a vibrant American singer-songwriter and comedian whose talent transcended the rigid racial barriers of her era. Her unforgettable portrayal of Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939) earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first African American to ever win an Oscar – a monumental achievement in a segregated Hollywood. Her enduring impact is recognized with two stars on the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1975, she was rightfully inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, and in 2006, she made history again as the first Black Oscar winner to be honored with a U.S. postage stamp. The Colorado Women's Hall of Fame welcomed her in 2010, further cementing her legacy. Beyond her prolific acting career, McDaniel was a talented musician, recording 16 blues sides between 1926 and 1929. She was also a pioneering radio performer and television personality, notably becoming the first Black woman to sing on radio in the United States. Despite appearing in over 300 films, a stark reality of the times meant she received on-screen credit for only 83 of them.

McDaniel's career was a constant battle against the pervasive racism and racial segregation of the era. A stark example of this prejudice was her inability to attend the glittering Atlanta premiere of Gone with the Wind because the event was held at a whites-only theater. Even at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles, where she was being honored, she was relegated to a segregated table at the side of the room, a painful reminder of the systemic discrimination she faced. Her life, though marked by immense achievement, was cut short when she died from breast cancer in 1952. In a final poignant injustice, her dying wish to be buried in Hollywood Cemetery was denied because the graveyard was restricted to whites-only at the time, underscoring the racial divides that tragically persisted even beyond her passing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gone with the Wind and Hattie McDaniel

When was Gone with the Wind released?
The epic historical romance film Gone with the Wind premiered in December 1939.
Who directed Gone with the Wind?
Victor Fleming is credited as the primary director of Gone with the Wind, although George Cukor began the project and Sam Wood briefly stepped in during production.
Who played Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler?
The iconic roles of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler were portrayed by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, respectively.
What is Gone with the Wind famous for?
The film is famous for being one of the highest-grossing films of all time (adjusted for inflation), its record-breaking Academy Award wins (including Best Picture), its cultural impact, and its controversial depiction of the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.
Who was Hattie McDaniel?
Hattie McDaniel was an American actress, singer-songwriter, and comedian, best known for her Academy Award-winning role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. She was the first African American to win an Oscar.
What Oscar did Hattie McDaniel win?
Hattie McDaniel won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind at the 12th Academy Awards ceremony.
Did Hattie McDaniel face discrimination?
Yes, Hattie McDaniel experienced significant racial discrimination and segregation throughout her career, including being barred from the Atlanta premiere of Gone with the Wind and being seated at a segregated table at the Academy Awards.
Is Gone with the Wind considered historically accurate?
While a historical romance, Gone with the Wind has been widely criticized for its historical negationism, glorifying slavery, and perpetuating the "Lost Cause of the Confederacy" myth, thus it is not considered an accurate historical account.