Classic Movies - Fabulous Films of 1939: Gone With The Wind

Fabulous Film of 1939
Directed by Victor Fleming


Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara
and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler









Olivia de Havilland as Melanie Hamilton

Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes

Hattie McDaniel as Mammy







Today, let’s talk Classic Civil War Epic-GONE WITH THE WIND! We have saved the biggest and best 1939 blockbuster for last. Gone with the Wind, based on Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize winning saga of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, was the winner of an incredible 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and nominated for several more. It is considered by many to be the greatest movie of all time and we heartily agree. It is a beautifully-filmed motion picture with fine performances by the fabulous ensemble cast of Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Hattie McDaniel, Thomas Mitchell, Butterfly McQueen, Ona Munson, Harry Davenport, and the list goes on. Victor Fleming was credited as the director of the picture although several directors, including George Cukor and Sam Wood, were involved in the making of the film. The majestic musical score, by our favorite film composer, Max Steiner, is superb and lends magnificence to this sweeping tale of the Old South.

There were, of course, many concessions made when bringing the massive novel to the screen. Many beloved characters were omitted from the film, most notably Scarlett’s other two children, Wade (fathered by Charles Hamilton) and Ella (fathered by Frank Kennedy), and Will Benteen, a one-legged soldier who stayed at Tara after the war ended, helped run the farm, and eventually married Scarlett’s sister, SueEllen (played in the film by Evelyn Keyes). Most of Will’s dialogue was given to Mammy (McDaniel) in the movie. We were disappointed by some of these omissions when we first saw Gone with the Wind, after having read the book, but now realize Sidney Howard had to make these cuts in order to move his screenplay along. We still have a problem, however, with the way the deaths of Bonnie (Cammie King) and Melanie (de Havilland) occur almost simultaneously-seemingly only days apart. It was as if the film had to be brought to an abrupt and quick end. In the book, Scarlett was actually out of town (some weeks after Bonnie’s death) when word of Melanie’s illness reached her and she hurried back to Atlanta to be with her. We just don’t understand why the two deaths had to be so rushed together.

Despite the inaccuracies with the book, Gone with the Wind is still our favorite movie and we applaud Producer David O. Selznick and Selznick Studios for even attempting to bring the Civil War epic to the silver screen. The classic love story of Scarlett O’Hara (Leigh) and Rhett Butler (Gable), set amid the turmoil of War and Reconstruction, is timeless. It is just as thrilling and romantic today as it was to audiences in 1939.

In the realm of great fictional characters, Scarlett O’Hara was indeed a formidable heroine. She saw what she had to do in order to survive and did it! For the sake of those depending on her she defied convention, took the bull by the horns, and moved forward into an uncertain future. In a day and age when women were not considered bright enough to succeed in business, she did. She paid a price for her actions and was not always liked or admired by “genteel society”. Hopefully audiences understood that she had no choice in “wearing the pants” in the O’Hara family. Once married to Rhett, she could have relinquished many of her responsibilities, but was unable to take a backseat when she was used to holding the reins. Yes, she could have been kinder in her dealings with people and in business, but that kindness fell by the wayside when she clawed her way out of war-induced poverty. She often regretted the loss of her tenderness, wanting to be more like her mother, but would not have changed a thing she had done if she could have. Like her or not, Scarlett O’Hara was a dynamic force to be reckoned with and a true woman of substance.

We highly recommend this fantastic and classic motion picture for your viewing pleasure. Better yet, read the book first to learn more about the Civil War and the interesting background stories of the minor characters. The making of the film is also interesting to read about. The “search for Scarlett O’ Hara” is Hollywood legend. We love Gone with the Wind and have ever since we first saw it in 1969 when it was only shown in theaters. We hope it is or will be one of your favorites, too.

This concludes our segment of posts about the Fabulous Films of 1939. There are still many more that we could talk about, but we’ve tried to bring you some of the very best. We hope you’ve enjoyed them and will continue to read “Let’s Talk Classic Movies” every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

**Trivia Question for Today: If British actress Vivien Leigh had not been cast as Scarlett O’Hara at the last minute, what American actress had Selznick decided to cast in the coveted role?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The song Bette Davis sang in Dark Victory was “Oh, Give Me Time for Tenderness”. The voice of Vera Van was dubbed in for Ms. Davis.

Classic Movies - Fabulous Films of 1939: Dark Victory

Fabulous Film of 1939



Starring Bette Davis and George Brent

Today, let’s talk Classic Tearjerker-Dark Victory! This dramatic film, starring Bette Davis, was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar of 1939, but lost the award to Gone with the Wind. Ms. Davis was also nominated for Best Actress, but did not win either, losing to Vivien Leigh in that category. The film, though a fine one, could quite easily have been just another “melodrama” if not for the tremendous performances of its stellar cast. The combined efforts of Bette Davis, George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Ronald Reagan, and Henry Travers make Dark Victory the enduring classic and audience favorite that it still remains today.

The story revolves around the carefree world of rich socialite, Judith Traherne (Davis) who seems to divide her time between raising horses with trainer, Michael O’ Leary (Bogart), and partying with friend, Alex Hamm (Reagan), and others. All is right with her world until she begins experiencing headaches and double-vision. When she takes a nasty spill from her horse followed by a fall down a flight of stairs, her friend and secretary, Ann King (Fitzgerald), insists she see her doctor. Dr. Parsons (Travers) immediately refers her to a specialist-Dr. Frederick Steele (Brent). Upon observation and through testing, Dr. Steele diagnoses a brain tumor and makes arrangements to perform surgery on Judith.

During the operation, Dr. Steele discovers that only part of the tumor can be removed, giving Judith less than a year to live. He feels it best to keep that information to himself and tells Judith and Ann that surgery was successful, but Ann is suspicious and confronts the doctor, who admits the truth to her. She agrees to keep silent about the prognosis. By this time Dr. Steele and Judith have fallen in love and plan to marry, but when she accidentally discovers her case file and finds that she is dying, she breaks off the engagement and reverts back to her “hard-living” lifestyle (she had reformed after meeting Dr. Steele). When she turns to Michael O’Leary (who has loved her from afar) and reveals her condition, he helps her to see what she should be doing with the time she has left. She soon apologizes to Dr. Steele, the two are wed, and move to Vermont where he continues his scientific research of brain cell growth.

The time the newlyweds share together is happy and content. A few months later, Ann comes to visit. On the afternoon Dr. Steele is preparing to go to New York to present his latest research findings, Judith and Ann are planting in the garden when Judith notices that it is getting darker even though she can feel the sun on her face. Realizing the end is near, she convinces her husband to go to the conference without her. Though Judith can no longer see, with Ann’s help, she is able to send Dr. Steele on his way. She then bids Ann farewell and goes into her bedroom to lie down. Her housekeeper, Martha (Virginia Brissac), comes in to cover her up, quietly leaving the room as Judith passes away.

Dark Victory is indeed a remarkable motion picture and classic tearjerker. Don’t watch it without some tissues at hand. It is another Fabulous Film of 1939! Read “Let’s Talk Classic Movies” every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more classic movie presentations and trivia.

**Trivia Question for Today: What was the name of the song that Bette Davis sang in Dark Victory and did she do her own singing?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Child-actor Donnie Dunagan of Son of Frankenstein was the voice of “young Bambi” in Walt Disney’s classic animated feature, Bambi (1942).

Classic Movies - Fabulous Films of 1939: Son of Frankenstein

Fabulous Horror Film of 1939

Basil Rathbone as Baron Wolf von Frankenstein

Boris Karloff as the Frankenstein monster

Bela Lugosi as Ygor

Today, let’s talk Classic 1939 Horror Movie-Son of Frankenstein! As the third in the Universal Studios series about the man-made monster, Son of Frankenstein was Boris Karloff’s last portrayal of the creature that had made him an overnight sensation back in 1931. In this film, however, much of the pathos of the first two films is missing and the monster is no longer a misunderstood, pitiable character for whom the audience can feel sympathy, but a cold-blooded killing machine seeking revenge on the village of “Frankenstein”. It has long been said that Karloff did not want the monster to become a mere creature of violence and decided to bow out of any future sequels when he realized the direction the series was headed in Son of Frankenstein.

As the movie begins, the people of “Frankenstein” are up in arms to hear that another despised Frankenstein will soon be arriving from America to take over his late father’s estate. Baron Wolf von Frankenstein (Basil Rathbone), a scientist and college professor, hopes to make amends for the havoc his father’s creation once brought upon the village, but mysterious deaths have recently been occurring that are oddly similar to those of the past and Inspector Krogh (Lionel Atwill), whose arm was once torn off by the Frankenstein monster, is intent on finding the truth behind those deaths.

With only good intentions, Wolf, his wife, Elsa (Josephine Hutchinson) and small son, Peter (Donnie Dunagan) move into Castle Frankenstein, but find they are unwelcome and could be in danger of mob violence. Wolf soon meets Ygor (Bela Lugosi), an amusingly sinister villager whose neck was broken when he was once hanged for grave-robbing. Ygor has a secret to share with the unsuspecting Frankenstein-the monster is still alive, but very sick. Never dreaming that the creature survived the explosion that destroyed his father’s laboratory many years before, Wolf becomes obsessed with restoring the monster to health and rectifying his father’s mistake by giving him a “normal” brain. Ygor, the mastermind behind the recent murders, has different plans for the monster once he’s strong again. Having no interest in giving him a new brain and in total control of the creature, Ygor sends his “partner in crime” to kill a few more villagers, all former jury members who sentenced Ygor to hang. While the monster is out “hunting”, Ygor sits in the tower window, eerily playing his shepherd’s horn.

All’s well that end’s well, however, when Wolf finally pumps several bullets into Ygor and then heroically saves his son by pushing the monster into a boiling hot sulfur pit that lies beneath the old laboratory. Not to worry, the monster always survives and comes back stronger in the next sequel. In fact, so does Ygor in Ghost of Frankenstein. Go figure.

Son of Frankenstein is an enjoyable motion picture, but it really doesn’t showcase Boris Karloff’s monster as well as the two prequels (Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein) do. It is actually Bela Lugosi as Ygor that steals the show from both Karloff and Rathbone. All performances are good, but Lugosi’s is outstanding-probably one of his best. Take a look at this horror classic of 1939 or any of the wonderful horror films produced by Universal Studios. Check our archives for the week of posts on the Universal Studios Classic Monsters. Another Fabulous Film of 1939 will appear in our next post, so read “Let’s Talk Classic Movies” every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

**Trivia Question for Today: Child-actor Donnie Dunagan, who played Peter in Son of Frankenstein, was also the voice of what beloved Disney animated character?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Mickey Rooney portrays Lorenz Hart in MGM’s 1948 biopic Words and Music. Actor Tom Drake portrays Richard Rodgers in this star-studded tribute to the songwriting team.

Classic Movies - Fabulous Films of 1939: Babes in Arms

Fabulous Film of 1939

as Mickey Moran

as Patsy Barton

Today, let’s talk Classic Movie Musical-Babes in Arms! Come on kids, let’s put on a show! That’s the usual exclamation of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in the string of MGM musicals that teamed them up together. This terrific twosome, though only teenagers, were box-office magic and became two of MGM’s most popular stars in the late 30s and early 40s. Under Busby Berkeley’s direction, Mickey and Judy created a number of successful and rousing musicals, but none better than the 1939 extravaganza, Babes in Arms. Along with The Wizard of Oz, Babes in Arms brought young Judy Garland a miniature “Oscar” for best juvenile performances of the year. Mickey Rooney was also nominated for Best Actor in this film, but lost the award to Robert Donat in Goodbye, Mr. Chips.

As children of former Vaudeville performers, Mickey Moran (Rooney), his girlfriend Patsy Barton (Garland), and their friends want to go on the road with their parents who are trying to make a “come-back”. Refusing their children’s help, the parents insist they remain at home and go to school. While the parents are away, Mickey “rouses the troops” in the exciting “Babes in Arms” musical number and cooks up a plan to produce a show to help make money for their struggling parents whose dream of a new Vaudeville is sadly falling flat.

With the help of Patsy, his sister Molly (Betty Jaynes), her boyfriend Don (Douglas McPhail), and the talents of all the neighborhood kids, Mickey writes, produces, directs, and stars in a whopper of a backyard musical. His financial backing, unfortunately, comes from former child-star Baby Rosalie Essex (June Preisser). She insists on starring in the production, forcing Mickey to replace Patsy with her. Patsy is terribly hurt and goes to visit her mother who is also on the Vaudeville tour. Her mother makes her understand how wrong it was to leave when the show (and Mickey) needed her most. Patsy, good trooper that she is, returns to do what she can to help Mickey. Patsy ends up starring in the show after all when Baby Rosalie’s father appears, with plans of his own for her career, and drags her away. The show goes on and is doing well until a storm blows in and ruins the finale.

What will be the fate of Mickey and the gang? Will the show bring the recognition Mickey and the kids deserve? Will they be able to help their parents? Will their parents be proud of them? You will just have to watch the film to find out the answers to these questions.

Babes in Arms includes memorable songs “Good Mornin'," “Where or When”, “I Cried for You”, “I’m Just Wild about Harry”, and “God’s Country”. Judy Garland’s singing is marvelous, Mickey Rooney’s impressions of Lionel Barrymore and Clark Gable are amusing, and June Preisser’s gymnastics are impressive. The supporting cast of Charles Winninger (as Mickey’s dad), Guy Kibbee, and Margaret Hamilton help make Babes in Arms another Fabulous Film of 1939.

**Trivia Question for Today: Babes in Arms was originally a Rodgers and Hart Broadway musical, although most of the original songs were replaced in the film version. Ironically, in what MGM musical biopic does Mickey Rooney portray composer Lorenz Hart?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Young Mr. Lincoln was released first on May 30, 1939. Drums along the Mohawk was not released until November 3, 1939.