|
FILMING - sneak preview |
|
The idea was to get a genuine audience reaction without the press and the critics knowing about it. David Selznick let Hal Kern arrange everything for the preview (he himself would not have kept his mouth shut for long). On September 9th, 1939 Hal Kern, David Selznick, James Newcom, Jock Whitney, and Irene Selznick, got in a car with 54 cans of film and soundtrack and drove for 2 hours eastward of Los Angeles. They got to the town of Riverside, and parked their car in front of the Fox Theater.
They were about to show "Beau Geste" with Gary Cooper; it was a very hot afternoon and the theater was air-conditioned so there was a good crowd inside. The manager came out and had a talk with D. Selznick. After that he was allowed to make one phone-call to his wife - he told her to come down to the theater, but did not say what for. They sat in the back of the theater; A man came up on the stage and announced to the audience that instead of the movie planned, they were going to see a major studio preview. When people started asking about the film and who was in it, he said that he could not tell them anything. He said that the movie was rather long, so those who wanted to call home should do so at this moment, because once the movie started all doors would be locked and no one would be allowed into the theater. The titles were not made yet and the music was not done so they used the soundtrack from "The Prisoner of Zenda". Hal Kern: "When Margaret Mitchell's name came up on the screen, you never heard such a sound in your life. And when Gone With the Wind came up on the screen it...it was just thunderous. They just yelled, they stood up on the seats. I had that music wide open and you couldn't hear a thing. Mrs. Selznick was crying like a baby and so was David. And so was I! Oh what a thrill." Irene Selznick: The lights darkened and the studio trademark appeared on the screen. The audience's hopes soared. When the main title came on, the house went mad. I fell apart and sobbed as though my heart would break. I couldn't bear to see the first scenes. I was crouched down in my seat, protesting wildely...The film took over and the hours sped by. The applause was enormous, and when the lights came on, everyone stood up, but most of them didn't move. It was as though something wonderful or terrible had happened. Half an hour later there were still people standing around". Later on, audience members were asked to fill out a questionaire; their sample answers: "...I don't seem to be able to find any fault with the picture..." "...It is the best picture that ever was or will be produced..." "...I would like to say that Vivien Leigh is one of the most super-collosally great actresses I've ever seen..." "...Every adult man and woman should be required to see it..." There was another preview, at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, on October 8th, 1939. It was also a huge success. |
