Casting Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind was a no-brainer, unlike the laborious quest for Scarlett O’Hara, and 75 years later Clark Gable still seems like the perfect choice.
Many people were certain the “King of Hollywood” had inspired the Margaret Mitchell character, but she swore that wasn’t the case. It’s unlikely she had Gable in mind even subconsciously since she started writing the novel in 1926. It was four years later that MGM signed the aspiring actor, who had done little beyond extra work, and kick-started his career.
By the time the book was published and attained blockbuster status, Gable was a superstar, an Oscar winner and the near-unanimous choice to play the profiteer who woos the willful Southern belle against the backdrop of the Civil War.
One of the few dissenting opinions came from Gable, who couldn’t see himself as the dashing renegade and was especially leery after flopping badly in another costume drama, Parnell. He also was afraid he couldn’t meet the expectations of Gone with the Wind’s devoted fan base.
Once Gable declined the role, producer David O. Selznick was forced to look elsewhere. His short list included Ronald Coleman, Errol Flynn and Gary Cooper. The latter took himself out of the race, however, predicting the film would be the biggest bomb in history.
Flynn came nearer to playing the role although how close he actually got is still debated. He and Bette Davis were under contract to Warner Brothers, which offered to loan them as a pair to play Scarlett and Rhett. According to some accounts, Selznick accepted and the deal was struck but then Davis backed out, refusing to do the film opposite Flynn.
While she was determined to play Scarlett, Davis insisted only Gable could do justice to the part of Rhett. The public agreed; in a nationwide poll, Gable and Davis emerged as the clear favorites.
When questioned about her preference, Mitchell suggested Groucho Marx. The public assumed she was kidding although the two had several traits in common: sardonic wit, cheerful self-interest and an affinity for the wrong side of the law. Not to mention the black moustache. Another time when the topic came up, she proposed Basil Rathbone.
Meanwhile, Selznick realized fans wouldn’t accept anyone but Gable and tried again to secure him. After learning the actor needed money to divorce his wife and marry Carole Lombard, he offered a $50,000 bonus and Gable signed up.
Despite his misgivings, Gable turned in a brilliant performance that more than satisfied critics and filmgoers alike and earned him an Oscar nomination.
When Timothy Dalton was cast in the miniseries Scarlett, the 1994 sequel, GWTW lovers seemed as lukewarm to him as they were to the entire project. Reviews were mixed, and many critics noted the story gave him little to work with. Charismatic Tom Selleck, my first choice, had been approached but hesitated to pursue it without seeing a script. It was a wise move; he’d have been wasted in this watered-down, largely humorless incarnation of Rhett.
If the beloved epic were brought to the big screen today–not as a remake or another pallid sequel but for the first time–who could play Rhett? Weigh in by taking the following poll.
Frankly, my dear, I can’t wait to see who wins.
Hollywood Castaway 