.....Ending with a puddle of tears on the floor around me, four hours later. A veritable Pool Of Tears, like "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland."
The reason viewing "Gone With The Wind" is such a draining,and visceral experience for those of us devotees is that, while doing so, two separate sets of lives are being lived. One is the story of the characters on screen, as well as those of us devotees in the audience, whom, through watching Scarlett's experiences, relive, with her, some of our most difficult and trying times. And in the process enables us to somehow get through them. Of course, I am speaking for myself here; this is why I keep coming back to it--and only on the screen, which is where it can only be fully appreciated. Those who have never seen this film on the screen have never seen it at all.
The sad thing for me to realize is this could be my last viewing of the film. Prior to yesterday's screening, at the Film Forum, I saw it there nine years before, in 2006. There was not a single observation in Manhattan or elsewhere of the film's 75th Anniversary, last year--same for "The Wizard Of Oz." While the house was filled, it was not sold out. Nor was the audience what I would call a "Gone With The Wind" audience; viewers who are impolitely named "Windies," but who I would think would be better labeled as "Plantation Princesses," "Daughters Of The South," or "Scarlett's Sisters."
Because a true audience for this film knows rules for viewing it And,with altogether too few exceptions, none of these rules were observed.
What are they? Well---
1. As the title flashes across the screen, there is spontaneous applause.
2. When Vivien Leigh's name is first credited, there is applause.
3. The same with Olivia De Havilland.
4. You must applause when it says "Produced by David O. Selznick.
5. There is thunderous applause when the credits read "Music by
Max Steiner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
6. When the camera first zeroes in on Vivien Leigh as Scarlett, there
is applause.
7. Applause is also required of Hattie McDaniel's first appearance
as Mammy, from the upstairs window.
8. Tremulous sighing and sobbing as Gerald (Thomas Mitchell)
intones the value of the land to Scarlett, as the camera
pulls back, and the music swells.
9. Sighing with tremulous recognition at the first appearance of
Olivia De Havilland as Melanie.
10. Spontaneous applause over the track in shot to Clark Gable
as Rhett Butler.
11. Empathizing with Scarlett's fiery nature, during her first
encounter with Rhett, after the vase is broken.
12. Recognizing ourselves in Scarlett when everyone runs down the
stairs, to the war, and she walks away from it, in that incredible
camera sweep.
13. Trembling with anguish as Melanie clings to Ashley, as he rides off
to war.
14. Spontaneous applause at the first appearance of Aunt Pittypat (Laura
Hope Crewes).
15. Tears as the crowds wait and receive results in the Casualties List scene.
17. Applause at Aunt Pittypat fleeing town with her hat box.
18. Suffering with anguish as Scarlett lives through the birth of Melanie's
baby. Not to mention Melanie.
19. The panoramic railroad station scene, beginning with a close-up of
Scarlett, and the horror on her face, as she realizes Dr, Meade
cannot help.
20. The journey back to Tara, sobbing as Scarlett beats the horse dead.
21. Tears as the moon shines on the still standing Tara.
22. Tears as the audience realizes all is not right with Gerald, as he
answers the door.
23. Tears during Mammy's speech as she relates what happened to Miss
Ellen, Scarlett's mother.
24. Scream with Scarlett, as she faints at the sight of her mother.
25. At the first shot of Scarlett in the fields at dawn, get out the tissues.
26. As Scarlett slowly arises to the music, begin sobbing. When she
finishes her speech, and the music swells, unleash all the sobbing
that has been held in these past two hours. This what true devotees
do.
27. Relate to Suellen in the fields, with her broken back.
27. Applaud Scarlett as she coolly appraises the Yankee, then shoots him.
28. Applaud Melanie, who stands ready to kill, then lies for Scarlett.
29. When Emmy Slattery arrives, intone those words with Scarlett--
"Get off these steps, you trashy wench! Get off this land!"
30. Applause when Scarlett throws the dirt in Jonas Wilkerson's
(Victory Jory) face.
31. Visual awe of the matte painting in the background, and that shot, as
Melanie runs to the path to meet Ashley.
32. Tears as the music swells during Ashley's and Melanie's reunion.
33. Swoon when Rhett proposes to Scarlett.
34. Tears throughout the marriage, Scarlett thoughtlessly treats Rhett.
35. Melanie's party--the look on Olivia De Havilland's face, where
she could either choke Scarlett or embrace her. And that
dress Scarlett is wearing. I want it, and the green Twelve
Oaks dress.
36. Applause during Mammy's petticoat scene.
37. Sadness on the look at Belle Watling's face after Rhett leaves.
Brilliant acting by Ona Munson. Is Belle's boy, by Rhett?
38. Bonnie wanting to go home, indicating the future importance
of the land to her, and that she WOULD have been
Scarlett's daughter.
39. Sobbing at Bonnie's death. From the moment she appears on
the pony, what is coming is made clear, and so sob all
throughout.
40. Melanie's fainting after talking to Rhett, signalling more tears.
41. Tears as Scarlett and Melanie say goodbye. One of the saddest
deaths in film.
42. Rhett walking out on Scarlett. She has broken him, and one sobs
in sorrow for them both.
43. Rhett leaves, Scarlett sobs, then rallies, as we know she will return
to Tara and survive, and so will we.
44. As Scarlett stands in the sunset, with Tara behind her, and "The
End" appears, mounting sobs letting out emotional
tension, as we know that we must struggle to survive.
45. Try to gather your senses, and have someone with you,
to carry you out, so you do not faint during this emotional
experience.
This is my journey, as I watch "Gone With The Wind," and I am sure many echo my sentiments. Just a few minor things to wrap up.
I would have slapped Prissy, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When Scarlett finally realizes that Gerald is unstable, it is heartbreaking.
That scene with Melanie and Mammy walking up the stairs, as the latter explains what has been going on in the house, since Bonnie's death. Let your tears out here, darlings, and know, that, in addition to everything else, THIS scene is what won Hattie McDaniel her Oscar!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a way to end a Thanksgiving vacation. Hopefully, I will live to see another viewing! With a more appreciative audience.
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