Gone With the Wind celebrates 70th anniversary

November 17, 2009 by Jane Boursaw

I wasn’t around when “Gone With the Wind” was released in 1939, but thankfully, I had an opportunity to see it on the big screen, as our downtown theater — the State Theatre in Traverse City, Michigan — played it when I was in high school. That same theater is playing it again to celebrate the film’s 70th anniversary.

On Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, Warner Home Video staged their own Flash Mob, as 70 couples in period costumes celebrated the film’s anniversary by dancing “The World’s Largest Virginia Reel” in the historic Marietta Georgia Town Square.

And get this. Four original cast members were there: Ann Rutherford (“Carreen O’Hara”), Mickey Kuhn (“Beau Wilkes” at age 7), Patrick Curtis (“Baby Beau Wilkes”) and Greg Geise (infant “Bonnie Blue Butler” & infant “Beau Wilkes”), along with Gina Miller who was an extra.

Robert Osborne, Turner Classic Movies’ primetime host, was also present. “Gone With the Wind” will air on TCM on Dec. 15, the actual anniversary of the film’s original premiere in Atlanta. Check out this cake – it’s Tara!