First scene to be shot was the fires in Atlanta, filmed on December 10 1938. If there was a major mistake during the filming, the entire film might have been scrapped. What they actually burned were a whole lot of old sets on the studio backlot, including the ``Great Gate'' from King Kong (1933). 113 minutes of footage were shot, the cost of the blaze coming to more than $25,000. The fire was so intense that the unwarned public of Culver City jammed the telephones lines, thinking MGM was burning down. Scarlett was doubled by Eileen Goodwin and Dorothy Fargo, while Rhett was doubled by Yakima Canutt and Jay Wilsey.
The scene where Scarlett digs up a turnip then retches and gives her ``As God is my witness'' line, the vomiting sounds were actually made by Olivia de Havilland since Leigh could not produce a convincing enough retch.
This film had three directors, George Cukor being the first. Victor Fleming, (who had just finished Wizard of Oz, The (1939)) was brought in, and he was replaced by interim director Sam Wood for a few weeks while recovering from exhaustion.
Leigh worked for 125 days and received about $25,000. Gable worked for 71 days and received over $120,000.
