Name: On Screen | Gone with the Wind (1939)
Start: 2024-11-10T11:00:00-05:00
Location: The Ambler Theater

Our Fashion in Film Series continues with one of the most iconic films of all time GONE WITH THE WIND. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 at amblertheater.org/fashion
In celebration of the film’s 85th Anniversary, the movie will be preceded by a Turner Classic Movies pre-recorded intro from Film Historian Leonard Maltin, who will address the film’s legacy and controversial history.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲: In this iconic American Epic, spoiled southern belle Scarlett O’Haral learns to navigate life before, during, and after the Civil War. She does whatever it takes to keep her home and win over her childhood sweetheart, casting aside countless societal norms in her wake. Featuring one of the best cinematic ensembles of all time led by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, an unforgettable Technicolor palette, and a sweeping score by Max Steiner. GONE WITH THE WIND won eight Academy Awards including the first Oscar given to an actor of color, Hattie McDaniel. This is a film that demands to be experienced on a big screen.
GONE WITH THE WIND will be presented with an intermission.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻: The costumes in GONE WITH THE WIND are some of the most memorable designs in Hollywood History, and the work of costume designer Walter Plunkett is a large reason for the film’s lasting legacy. Plunkett designed historical costume dramas almost exclusively, working on over 150 period films throughout his career including LITTLE WOMEN (1933) and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952). But designing for this film was no easy feat; in addition to Scarlett O’Hara’s 36 on screen looks, he oversaw the composition of over 5,500 costumes for the film’s cast members and thousands of extras. Scarlett O’Hara’s character’s evolution is advanced by the different clothing she wears, and the pre-war tight corsets, frilled accents, and light colors of O’Hara’s youth become a thing of the past as her character is toughened and disillusioned by the reality of war. Including the famous velvet curtain dress, the color green is present in O’Hara’s wardrobe throughout the film, reminding the viewer that Scarlett’s eternal envy is the driving force behind all of her decisions. The curtain dress inspired an entire generation of women experiencing the reality and rationing of World War II to use unconventional materials to reimagine their old clothing pieces.
The studio capitalized on the public’s obsession with the movie by merchandising the most notable looks and releasing a number of dress patterns inspired by the film through the Hollywood Pattern Company. These patterns and department store copies often were made shorter and without hoop skirts, ushering in some of the most desirable looks of the early 1940s.
𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿: Walter Plunkett
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 From Marilyn's iconic white halter dress to Brando's leather jacket, it's no secret that some costumes make a lasting impression both in a viewer’s mind and in their closet. Throughout the year we will delve into cinema’s greatest style hits and explore how clothing and fashion can be woven together to propel a film’s story. Not only will we highlight the work of iconic designers like Edith Head and Coco Chanel, but we will also exhibit films where the costumes are given a starring role. Check out the whole series at amblertheater.org/fashion
Warning to the Viewer: This film is a product of its time. It depicts racial prejudices that, unfortunately, were commonplace in American society. These negative stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. The harmful depictions in this work do not represent the values of our nonprofit theater. We elected to present the film as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed. We acknowledge the film’s harmful impact and hope it can serve as an educational tool to spark a conversation and raise awareness about the outdated cultural depictions in classic cinema with modern viewers.