It is December 15, 1939. She is 18 years old. She has lived in Atlanta her whole life, but there has never been anything like this to see here. She makes her way through the crowds on Peachtree street until she reaches the Fox Theatre. She picks a good place on the street to watch the parade. She knows they will be coming right in front of her. The waiting is unbearable until finally - Here they come! There is Clark Gable! And Vivian Leigh! This is the parade in celebration of the premier of the movie, Gone With the Wind. Actual Hollywood movie stars here in her own home town. The cast stayed last night in the Georgian Terrace Hotel across the street, where a big premier party was held. But today, they are out here on Peachtree street for everyone to see up close. They make their way down the street to the Loew's Grand Theatre for the premier of the grand film.The girl was my Mom, yes she did see Clark Gable that day and all the cast in the parade, a very exciting day. The Georgian Terrace Hotel is still a great landmark in Atlanta. Georgian Terrace
In the 1990s the Georgian Terrace was converted to upscale apartments (overseen by my favorite construction superintendent, my husband!).
The Fox Theatre is the oldest theatre in Atlanta and is still a grand place to go for all kinds of shows. Fabulous Fox Theatre
The promo for the movie went:
"There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South... Here in this pretty world Gallantry took its last bow... Here was the last ever to be seen of knights and their ladies Fair, of Master and of Slave... Look for it only in the books, for it is no more than a dream remembered. A Civilization gone with the wind..."
