Atlanta 15, 1939, Atlanta hosted the premiere of "Gone with the Wind", the epic film based on the best-selling novel by Atlanta's Margaret Mitchell. The gala event at Loew's Grand Theatre was attended by the film's legendary producer, David O. Selznick, and the film's stars Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, and Olivia de Havilland, but Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel, an African American actress, was barred from the event due to racial segregation laws and policies. Atlanta played a vital role in the Allied effort during World War II due to the city's war-related manufacturing companies, railroad network and military bases, leading to
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