News Release — September 15, 2014

"Films of 1939" Series Celebrates Golden Year in Hollywood Filmmaking

EVENT: The Harry Ransom Center screenings of films released in 1939 in conjunction with the current exhibition "The Making of 'Gone With The Wind'."

WHEN: Various dates throughout the fall.

WHERE: Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin, 21st and Guadalupe streets.

BACKGROUND: 1939 is widely considered by film historians to be one of the most outstanding years in filmmaking. In conjunction with the Harry Ransom Center's exhibition, "The Making of 'Gone With The Wind'," which marks the 75th anniversary of the film, the Ransom Center will screen three other films released in this prolific year: "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," "Idiot's Delight" and "The Wizard of Oz."

Events are free and open to the public. The Ransom Center's Charles Nelson Prothro Theater has limited seating. Line forms upon arrival of the first person, and doors open 30 minutes in advance.

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
Thursday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
Mickey Rooney and Rex Ingram star as Huck and Jim in this adaptation of the Mark Twain classic. Daring boy Huck (Rooney) sails down the Mississippi River with Big Jim (Ingram), an enslaved man running away from being sold. Ingram turned down the role of Big Sam in "Gone With The Wind" to play Jim. Film run time is 91 minutes.

"Idiot's Delight"
Thursday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
Starring Clark Gable and Norma Shearer in their third film together, "Idiot's Delight" follows disparate travelers stranded at an Alpine hotel when the borders are closed with war imminent. MGM hoped to reunite Gable and Shearer as Rhett and Scarlett in "Gone With The Wind," but the negative public response to rumors of Shearer's casting ensured that it would not happen. Film run time is 107 minutes.

"The Wizard of Oz"
Thursday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m.
In in this early Technicolor classic directed by Victor Fleming, Judy Garland stars as Dorothy Gale, who is swept away to a magical land by a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the wizard who can help return her home. After completing work on "The Wizard of Oz," Fleming took over as director of "Gone With The Wind" after George Cukor left the production. Film run time is 102 minutes.