The Scarlett O’Hara War

Author(s): Gabby
Location: NY

"The Scarlett O’Hara War"

Written by Elaine May and Directed by Mike Nichols

Principal Cast:

Geoffrey Rush as David O. Selznick, Myron Selznick, and George Cukor
Natalie Portman as Paulette Goddard, Margaret Mitchell, and Olivia De Havilland
Marcia Gay Harden as Louella Parsons

Special Cameos made by:

Kiera Knightly as Vivien Leigh
Debra Messing as Joan Bennett
Chloe Sevigny as Jean Arthur
Paul Simon as Charlie Chaplin
Drew Barrymore as Bette Davis
Hugh Jackman as Clark Gable
Kate Winslet as Katharine Hepburn

Tagline: "It was only the most anticipated film ever made"
December ‘07

Synopsis: The Scarlett O’Hara war chronicles producer David O. Selznick’s task of turning Margaret Mitchell’s 1,000 page novel into a film, and casting the iconic role of Scarlett O’Hara. The film starts with David O. Selznick hiring best friend, George Cukor to direct the picture, and to help him with the Scarlett auditions. With the search for Scarlett intensifying in the public eye, Cukor began testing every actress whose age ranged between 20 and 35, an illustrious list that included Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Paulette Goddard, Jean Arthur, Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck and Lana Turner among others. Testing of every major actress in Hollywood was obligatory for such a plum role, but from the onset, Selznick knew he had to cast an unknown.

Scarlett O’Hara had become the most talked-about woman of the decade. As sales of the novel soared, the public became obsessed with who would play the leading role. Exploiting this anticipatory talk, Selznick fed the press by dropping rumors on his casting plans. Selznick was ardently conducting the most celebrated talent hunt in Hollywood's history, a judicious combination of calculated strategy and genuine effort. During this hectic search, gossip columnist Louella Parsons kept the public aware of who was testing for Scarlett and let it be known if she was pleased. When she learned who was testing, she was so outraged that she wrote: " If any of these women get the part, I personally will go home and weep, because they are no SCARLETT O'HARA’S in my language, and if David O. Selznick gives any of them the part, he will have to answer to every man, woman, and child in America." Parson could make or break the picture.

In December, with no Scarlett O’Hara cast, Selznick decided to go ahead and start production and shoot the burning of Atlanta. It was in this dramatic context that English actress Vivien Leigh, virtually unknown in America, entered the scene. Leigh was brought to the set by Selznick's brother, Myron. They arrived after shooting began, and as the flames of Atlanta were beginning to rise Myron is reported to have tugged Selznick by the sleeve, with Leigh at his side, saying, "Hey Genius, I want you to meet your Scarlett." When David looked at the beautiful and vibrant actress, he immediately knew the long search for his leading lady was over. Within a few days, Cukor was instructed to make final full-color tests for the four finalist actresses: Joan Bennett, Jean Arthur, Paulette Goddard, and Vivien Leigh. Leigh was officially cast on January 13, l939.

What the press would say:

Director Mike Nichols, long praised as one of the greatest modern American filmmakers for his works Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?, The Graduate, Silkwood, and Angels in America, is following up his string of critically acclaimed triumphs with The Scarlett O’Hara War, another successful collaboration with Elaine May. The creative duo of May and Nichols humorously displays how Hollywood once was, and how GWTW is still the most publicized movie ever made. The film brilliantly examines the old Hollywood system; a gem of a film for nostalgic fans.

Nichols directs Geoffrey Rush and Natalie Portman to career best performances, both donning multiple roles. Rush plays maverick film producer, David O. Selznick who defies Hollywood by filming the un-filmable Gone With the Wind, and making it the most profitable film of all time. He plays the neurotic producer with perfection. He is hysterical as George Cukor, the first director of Gone with the Wind who held countless hours of auditions and must take the abuse from friend Selznick. Rush also portrays Myron Selznick, who ultimately discovers Leigh. He will not only be nominated for the Oscar, but he will win. Natalie Portman is radiant as screen icon Paulette Goddard, the actress who many believed would play Scarlett, only to have her personal relationship with Charlie Chaplin prevent her. She also brings some of the funniest moments of the film when she portrays diminutive author Margaret Mitchell, who wants absolutely nothing to do with the film. Portman also portrays legendary actress Olivia De Havilland in a brief cameo towards the end of the movie.

This picture is the event of the year. Come see the movie everyone is talking about. Watch for strong comedic performances from Geoffrey Rush, Natalie Portman, and Marcia Gay Harden as Louella Parsons, the feisty gossip columnist who can single handedly destroy the picture if she doesn’t like who is cast.

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Director – Mike Nichols
Best Actor – Geoffrey Rush
Best Actress – Natalie Portman
Best Supporting Actress – Marcia Gay Harden
Best Original Screenplay – Elaine May