Where was Gone with the Wind filmed?
1939
City Locations
Northern California, Chico; Butte County
Location Types
Mansion, Colonial, Naturescapes
Location Styles
Georgian/Southern, Old Hollywood
About Gone with the Wind
Filmed in 1939, Gone with the Wind was the first epic motion picture of its kind. Based on the 1936 book written by Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind was the masterpiece of producer David O. Selznick and director Victor Fleming. The Gone with the Wind film set was primarily focused on the American South with the plotline taking place during both the Civil War and later reconstruction.
The opening Gone with the Wind film scene takes place in 1861 as the American Civil War is set to spring into action. Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) resides at Tara, a family-owned and operated cotton plantation owned in Georgia. Scarlett lives at Tara with her parents, her two sisters, and several slaves.
The war turns sour for the Confederacy following the Battle of Gettysburg, and many of the young men residing near Scarlett die in combat. The Union Army seizes Scarlett’s city eight months later. Melanie delivers her first child with Scarlett by her side for assistance. Rhett uses his connections to help the ladies, their servants, and the baby to safely leave the city.
Rhett and Scarlett are delighted with the birth of their daughter. Rhett chooses her name: Bonnie Blue. Yet, Scarlett still longs for Ashely and is upset that she is struggling to regain her figure. Her vanity causes her to decree that she will not have any further children, and she will no longer allow her husband to join her in bed. One day during working hours at Frank’s mill, Scarlett and Ashley are caught hugging and the rumor of the indiscretion is spread throughout the town.
Rhett hears the rumors and returns home, insisting Scarlett face her accusers at a birthday celebration for Ashley. Melanie loyally shows her support for Scarlett. Following the party, Scarlett discovers Rhett inebriated, and they being to argue. Rhett forces Scarlett to kiss him and tells her that he will join her in bed that evening and takes her to their bedroom.
Melanie is pregnant and suffering from complications as a result of her pregnancy. Rhett and Scarlett pay a visit to her, and it becomes clear that Melanie will not survive the birth of her child. Scarlett tries to comfort a devastated Ashely, and Rhett, realizing he will never win his wife’s affections, sets his sights on returning to Atlanta. Scarlett, finally cognizant that she does love Rhett, begs him to say, but Rhett is determined to leave. Rhett departs for Atlanta, leaving a destroyed Scarlett to return to Tara and with a firm resolve to try to win Rhett’s heart again.
Gone with the Wind Locations
The filming locations for Gone with the Wind are numerous. Though the vast majority of the filming for this movie was done in Northern California at Selznick International Studios, other locations where footage was shot include Agoura, Malibu Lake, Simi Valley, and San Bernadine National Forest in California, and North Little Rock. Ironically, though the film takes place nearly entirely in Georgia, not a single frame of the movie was shot there. If you are a true movie buff with a desire to visit Gone with the Wind Locations, check out list of spots where some of your favorite scenes occurred.
Fun Fact:
Vivien Leigh was given the role of Scarlett O’Hara after filming had already started. Early scenes requiring a body double were filmed prior to her receiving the job.
Scarlett and Rhett meet at the library at Twelve Oaks scene in Gone with the Wind
Busch Gardens, Pasadena
In one of the best scenes in Gone with the Wind, Rhett and Scarlett meet after Scarlett throws a temper tantrum in the library. Having arranged to meet an unsuspecting Ashley in the library to declare her undying love, Scarlett is rejected by her paramour, resulting in her throwing a glass bowl against the wall, narrowly missing a hiding Rhett Butler’s head. Rhett emerges from behind the sofa with a chuckle at her anger which further offends Scarlett. The following dialogue ensues: Scarlett: Sir, you should have made your presence known. Rhett: In the middle of that beautiful love scene. That wouldn’t have been tactful, would it? Filmed on a set constructed at Pasadena’s Busch Gardens, this iconic scene has become a well ingrained part of movie history. To visit Busch Gardens, you have a couple of transportation options. You can take the bus lines 258, 260, or DASH or board the Light Rail’s L LINE GOLD.
Scarlett’s return to a devastated Tara scene in Gone with the Wind
Lasky Mesa, Calabasas
The Gone with the Wind filming location that inspires the most nostalgia in movie lovers everywhere is the scene where Tara returns to discover the ravaged remains of her beloved Tara. Backed by a heartrending film score and standing against the backdrop of a setting sun and a single oak tree, Scarlett stands with a fist full of barren red earth and proclaims: “As God is my witness, they are not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this, and when its all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat, or kill, as God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again.” The location for this scene is Lasky Mesa, Calabasas, a spot that lies to the north of Los Angeles and is nestled in the heart of the Simi Valley. A popular hiking trail, you can enjoy an invigorating walk or stroll through the grounds channeling your own Scarlett O’Hara here. To reach this destination, take the 101 freeway to the exit for Valley Circle. Make a right here and follow along for 2.1 miles until you reach Victory Boulevard. At the intersection for Victory Boulevard, make a left and travel 0.6 miles to the end of the road where you can park on the street or in the on-site parking lot.
Rhett visits Scarlett during the reconstruction scene in Gone with the Wind
Culver City Studios, Culver City, California
During the reconstruction efforts, Rhett pays a call on Scarlett who has recently lost her husband. He brings her a beautiful bonnet from Paris, and she flirtatiously pretends to misunderstand how to wear it to get him to assist her with it. The banter continues with Rhett insisting he has given her the gift with an expectation in mind. Scarlett informs him she will not marry him. When Rhett tells her he is not the marrying kind, she retorts that she will not give him a kiss for his gift either though this is precisely what she has in mind. Scarlett leans in and closes her eyes in anticipation of a kiss. Rhett looks at her in an amused fashion and utters this classic line, “No, I don’t think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” This Gone with the Wind location is actually a mansion that is featured in most David O Selznick films. Located at 9336 Washington Boulevard, this building sits between Ince and Van Buren in the silver screen locale known as Culver City. Though the façade of the building is a painting made on glass and captured on film via a camera shoot, later effects were enhanced through the use of CGI technology. Travel to this studio is easily achieved by taking either the 33 or CC1 bus or the Light Rail E LINE (EXPO).
Melanie and Ashley are reunited scene in Gone with the Wind
Bidwell Park Chico, CA
One of the most poignant scenes in the film, the reunion of Melanie and Ashley after the war always tugs at the heartstrings. After spending the day trying to feed wounded soldiers, Melanie spies a gentleman in torn clothing limping down the driveway to Tara. She stops for a moment, and her eyes fill with tears as she realizes the man is Ashley. As Melanie races to greet her husband, Scarlett attempts to run towards Ashley as well. Mammy stops her with this simple phrase, “He's her husband, ain't he?"
Set on the steps of the Tara plantation and the road leading to the mansion, this scene was filmed at the same Washington Boulevard mansion where several other critical sequences were shot. Other exterior shots were also taken in Chico, a region that is approximately 80 miles away from Sacramento. The set locations included Bidwell Park, Pentz Road, and the Paradise Apple Orchard.
Rhett leaves Scarlett scene in Gone with the Wind
9336 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
One of the most memorable scenes in the film, Scarlett returns to her Atlanta mansion to discover Rhett has packed his bags and is leaving her. Having finally realized that Scarlett’s heart will always belong to Ashley, Rhett determines to start a new life on his own. As Scarlett begs him to stay and asks him what she will do without him, Rhett shares the line that has become the most famed quotation in the entire film, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
Scarlett vows to return to Tara and win back Rhett scene in Gone with the Wind
9336 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Left standing alone on the front porch of her Atlanta mansion, Scarlett begins to piece together a plan for her life. She vows to return to Tara and to do all in her power to win back the love of Rhett Butler, the one man who truly owns her heart. In the final scene of this legendary film, Scarlett tells us, “I can't let him go. I can't. There must be some way to bring him back. Oh I can't think about this now! I'll go crazy if I do! I'll think about it tomorrow. But I must think about it. I must think about it. What is there to do? What is there that matters?... Tara!...Home. I'll go home, and I'll think of some way to get him back! After all, tomorrow is another day!”
Conclusion
Gone with the Wind is truly an epic film that will live on in our hearts and in movie history. The movie was and always will be a legend with iconic scenes and popular quotes. With quotations that are as memorable as its stunning landscapes, Gone with the Wind is an epic movie filled with richly developed characters and a spellbinding plot. If you’re one of Gone with the Wind’s biggest fans, consider a trip to visit some of the locations where your favorite scenes were filmed.