Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", which MGM did on June 3, 1938, from Sam Goldwyn for $75,000. Hits in 1939 included "The Wizard of Oz", "Boys Town" and "Gone with the Wind", starring Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. Although "Gone With the Wind" was produced by Selznick International Pictures, it was distributed by MGM as part of a deal for producer David O. Selznick, Mayer's son-in-law, to obtain the services of Gable as well as financial assistance to complete the film. While "The Wizard of Oz" was a critical hit, the film took 20
Cameron Mitchell (actor) In 1944, he served as a bombardier with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. His film career began with being contracted to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1945 for three years, initially with minor roles in films including "They Were Expendable" (with John Wayne and Robert Montgomery), but Mitchell quickly rose to leading man status. He co-starred with Lana Turner and Spencer Tracy in "Cass Timberlane" and with Wallace Beery in "The Mighty McGurk" (both 1947), and concluded his MGM period with two 1948 films starring Clark Gable: "Homecoming" (also with Turner) and "Command Decision". Mitchell originated the role