Gone With the Wind: 70th Anniversary Festivities Begin!

The year 1939 is considered one of the most outstanding in Hollywood history. There was an unusual amount of critical and audience favorites that have maintained their esteem these 70 years removed. Dark Victory, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Destry Rides Again, Wuthering Heights, Beau Geste, Ninotchka, Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Of Mice and Men, Only Angels Have Wings, The Women, Young Mr. Lincoln, Drums Along the Mohawk and the perennial favorite, The Wizard of Oz are just some of the films that came out that year. However, with the arguable exception of The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind certainly came out on top as one of the all-time box office champs and the recipient of 10 Oscars (8 competitive, 1 technical and 1 honorary). The film set a box office record that would not be surpassed until The Sound of Music was released in 1965 and was the first film ever broadcast on TCM. Every major anniversary of both The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind have brought about major reissues and home video releases, so it's expected that the same will apply this year. The festivities for Gone with the Wind start next month at the Atlanta Film Festival (a focal setting of the novel and film, and also where the film had its world premiere). I don't know about you, but I would love to see this film on the big screen.

Gone With the Wind: A 70th Anniversary Celebration
With Special Guests Turner Classic Movie's Robert Osborne, Baltimore Sun Critic Michael Sragow and Author/Critic Molly Haskell
April 18-19, 2009

Sunday, April 19 at 12:30pm
70th Anniversary Screening of Gone With the Wind
with Pre-Screening Talk-Back with Robert Osborne

"Gone With the Wind" will be shown at the Fox Theatre. Doors will open to the public at 11:30am. This is a reserved seating event. Tickets are $10 and $15 and will be available at the Fox Theatre Box Office or online at ticketmaster.com and at Ticketmaster outlets beginning February 16, 2009.

PURCHASE MOVIE TICKETS!
THIS IS A RESERVED SEATING EVENT.
TICKETS ARE $10.00 AND $15.00

Support the Atlanta Film Festival at an EXCLUSIVE Fundraiser: A Southern Breakfast
Mint JulepSunday, April 19th at 10:00am: Join the Atlanta Film Festival for an exclusive private brunch at the home of board member Scott Benson (director, The Race to Save 100 Years). Guests will "never be hungry again" as they enjoy a fantastic Southern Breakfast buffet accompanied by mint juleps and sweet tea. Mr. Osborne, Ms. Haskell and Mr. Sragow will be in attendance--and guests will all be treated to gift bag which includes a signed copy of each of their books.

Guests will be conveniently shuttled to the screening, where their VIP reserved seats await. Space for this event is extremely limited--$500 minimum donation required. Proceeds for this fundraiser support the Atlanta Film Festival in its mission to lead the community in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. To reserve your space and make your pledge to the Atlanta Film Festival, contact Paula Martinez at 404-352-4225.

Coffeehouse: State of Film Criticism
featuring Molly Haskell and Michael Sragow

Saturday, April 18th at 4:00pm: An intimate discussion at the new Starbucks on Monroe at the Midtown Promenade with a host of critics and bloggers from all over the U.S.

The Gone With the Wind Legacy:
A discussion with Robert Osborne, Michael Sragow and Molly Haskell

Gone With the Wind, Saturday, April 18th at 8:00pm: Atlanta History Center's The Literary Center at Margaret Mitchell House will host a very special author program for film lovers. Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne will lead a discussion with Michael Sragow, movie critic of The Baltimore Sun, and Molly Haskell, critic and author. Turner Classic Movies presents these film experts in a discussion about the legacy of "Gone With the Wind," its director Victor Fleming, and the Hollywood heyday of 1939.

The event will showcase new books from all three experts: "80 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards" by Robert Osborne, "Victor Fleming," a biography by Michael Sragow, and "Frankly, My Dear: "Gone with the Wind" Revisited," by Molly Haskell.

Doors open at 7:00pm; program begins at 8:00pm. Tickets are $5 for members of the Atlanta History Center and Margaret Mitchell House; $10 for nonmembers. Reservations required at 404.814.4150. For more information, visit www.gwtw.org.