“FRANKLY MY DEAR…”

Considered one of the greatest American movies ever made, experience the 1939 epic historical romance “GONE WITH THE WIND” on the silver screen as a member of the Bosque Film Society

By E. BRETT VOSS

Bosque Film Society Founding Board President

“Perhaps, I want the old days back again and they’ll never come back, and I am haunted by the memory of them and of the world falling about my ears.”

The Bosque Film Society cordially invites all members to attend its monthly members-only FILM APPRECIATION NIGHT featuring the 1939 epic historical romance “GONE WITH THE WIND” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18 at The Cliftex Theatre in Clifton with an introductory presentation by Bosque Film Society founding board member and historian Bryan Davis.

Directed by Victor Fleming and starring Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland and Hattie McDaniel, this classic epic of the American South remains considered one of the greatest classic American movies. Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era, Gone With The Wind tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, the strong-willed daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, following her romantic pursuit of Ashley Wilkes, who is married to his cousin, Melanie Hamilton, and her subsequent marriage to Rhett Butler.

At the 12th Academy Awards, Gone with the Wind received 10 Academy Awards from 13 nominations, including wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress (Leigh), and Best Supporting Actress going to Hattie McDaniel, becoming the first African American to win an Academy Award, setting records for the total number of wins and nominations at the time.

Although the film has been criticized as historical negationism, glorifying slavery and the Lost Cause of the Confederacy myth, it has been credited with triggering changes in the way in which African Americans were depicted cinematically. Gone with the Wind is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, and in 1989 became one of the 25 inaugural films selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

Every month, the Bosque Film Society hosts its members-only FILM APPRECIATION NIGHT featuring classic films chosen by its members every December. In 2023, upcoming featured showings will be Amadeus (1984) Aug. 29; Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Sept. 26; Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Oct. 24; Stagecoach (1939) Nov. 28; 4th Annual Christmas Party (film to be determined) Dec.19.

Since this will be a private showing, BYOB will be allowed, and the theatre concession stand will be open for purchases. Although the event will be closed to the public, those wishing to become Bosque Film Society members Tuesday night will be admitted.