Moonlight and Magnolias

Synopsis

Movie mogul David O'Selznick has just shut down production of Gone With The Wind. Determined to rewrite the script, he engages the reluctant services of 'script doctor' Ben Hecht, who has never read the book, and director Victor Fleming, poached straight from the set of The Wizard of Oz. His reputation on the line, and with nothing but a stockpile of peanuts and bananas, Selznick locks the three men into his office and a marathon creative session begins...

Our Review:

11 July 2008

Was Gone With the Wind the biggest flop ever? No, I’m not talking about Trevor Nunn’s musical, but rather the epic 1939 Hollywood screen adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s novel. It seems an incredible question to pose about the highest-grossing film in Hollywood history, an eight-time Oscar winner, but when producer David O Selznick shut down production three weeks into filming, epic failure seemed all but guaranteed.

Ron Hutchinson’s comedy is set over five days in Selznick’s office where the desperate producer has locked himself in with director Victor Fleming and journalist-turned-screenwriter Ben Hecht (who also wrote the stage play The Front Page) to churn out a new, workable script. Close quarters, sleep deprivation, food rations (banana and peanut “brain food” excepted) and fragile egos – not to mention studio boss (and Selznick’s father-in-law) Louis B Mayer on constant phone hold - add to the pressure for the men and Selznick’s super-efficient secretary...

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Latest User Review

Rob in Maida Vale - 18 July 2008:

The best comedy I have seen in year! Took a group of 11 for the 1st preview. Loved it so much, 3 are going again tomorrow with our partners...

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