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Posted by Faye Bell on June 15, 2001 at 19:48:44:
What is the title of the "other" authorized sequel to Gone With the Wind, who was its author, and why wasn't it ever published?
Hint: This question is not being asked about "My Beloved Tara".
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ANSWER:
THE ONLY OTHER AUTHORIZED SEQUEL TO GONE WITH THE WIND WAS A 600-PAGE (according to Cynthia Marylee Molt), UNPUBLISHED NOVEL CALLED "TARA: THE CONTINUATION OF GONE WITH THE WIND" AND IT WAS WRITTEN BY MARGARET MITCHELL'S FIRST BIOGRAPHER, ANNE EDWARDS, AUTHOR OF "ROAD TO TARA: THE LIFE OF MARGARET MITCHELL".
The project began life as a movie sequel authorized by Margaret Mitchell's brother, Stephens Mitchell. The project began as a movie sequel purchased by Richard Zanuck and David Brown for production by a partnership consisting of MGM and Universal Pictures. According to author Anne Edwards (writing in the preface to 'ROAD TO TARA'), "Tara: The Continuation of Gone With Wind" was completed and was approved by Richard Zanuck and David Brown in the fall of 1978.
James Goldman was assigned to write the screenplay. Unfortunately, the film never came to fruition. According to author Pauline Bartel, writing in "The Complete 'Gone With the Wind' Trivia Book", the book that Edwards submitted was 775 pages long and was supposedly set in 1872-82 and contained a divorce for Scarlett and Rhett. Scarlett remarried in the book and created more intrigue between the former Mrs. Butler and her "ex". According to Bartel, MGM was not pleased with either the book nor James Goldman's screenplay and the "book was shelved and the deal collapsed". There is no information found as to whether or not this authorized sequel was considered when "Scarlett" was being negotiated.