Homage to the Land
In 1936 Margaret Mitchell wrote the only novel published during her lifetime, “Gone With the Wind”, and for which she received a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.” Three short years later, her novel was transformed on the big screen and has become one of the most beloved movies of all time, and one of the most grossing ones after adjusting for inflation. 
In doing some research on my most favorite movie, I could not believe that it was released in 1939. Can’t be, I thought. But sure enough, I have to believe the history books. The reason I thought it was released during my childhood was because MGM (Metro Goldwyn Meyer) would re-release this film every few years. It is said that this movie kept MGM studios in the black for many years. It received 10 Academy Awards, the most received for a long time, until Ben-Hur in 1960.
Before I loved the movie, I loved the book. This is one of those rare films that has migrated well to the screen, maybe because it is an almost four hour movie! It was among the first of major films shot in color, winning the first Academy Award for Best Cinematogrophy.
For me, this great movie relates to real estate in three very important ways:
- It portrays the fierce love of the land by many of our previous caretakers
- It is inspirational in showing that despite many obstacles, from the burning of Atlanta, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction period, the place one calls home will always rise from the ashes.
- And in a funny way, the movie gave us many quips still in vogue today. One that I quote often, depending on the circumstances, and which can definitely refer to some real estate transactions is “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give damn!” (Rhett Butler to Scarlett O’Hara). :)
Many people today are still experiencing this movie for the first time. Do yourself a favor, splurge and get lost in this wonderful movie.
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