September 10, 2014, Filed Under: Exhibitions + Events, Film, Research + TeachingDatabase of fan mail documents emotional response from “Gone With The Wind” fans, detractors As part of the recently launched web exhibition Producing Gone With The Wind, the Ransom Center has launched a new database of fan mail from the David O. Selznick collection. Researchers now have the opportunity to explore a selection of letters sent to Selznick International Pictures in the 1930s through this database of fan mail correspondence, preview questionnaires, and protest letters. Letters in the database demonstrate the public’s engagement with the film production of Margaret Mitchell’s novel, Gone With The Wind. Emotions ranging from enthusiasm and sorrow to optimism and disdain surface from individuals who wrote in to solicit auditions, submit opinions, and, in some instances, protest the film’s production. Visitors to the site can browse the database by type of mail and search by name of correspondent to see if relatives’ letters are within the database. Please click on the thumbnails below to view larger images. Alberta Carter of Chicago, Illinois, writes in January 1938 to “Gone With The Wind” producer David O. Selznick, asking him to consider her for the role of Mammy in the film. Alberta Carter of Chicago, Illinois, writes in January 1938 to “Gone With The Wind” producer David O. Selznick, asking him to consider her for the role of Mammy in the film.
