The brilliant star screen-tested for the role of "Scarlett O'Hara."

One of many actresses considered for the part of Scarlett.

Bankhead was considered to play Scarlette but the producers were reluctant to hire her.

Diana Barrymore was tested for the part of Scarlett O'Hara.

Was considered to play Dr. Meade.

Tested for the role of Mammy.

The popular and vivacious star screen-tested for "Scarlett."

Bryan was considered for the role of Melanie Hamilton.

Was the first choice for Aunt Pittypat Hamilton, but was considered to be too thin and would have had to be padded even in her face. Instead she played Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz that year.

Marguerite Churchill was another actress considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

Claudette Colbert was considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

A favorite contender for the role of "Rhett Butler."

Gary Cooper was seriously considered for the part of Rhett Butler.

One of many actresses considered for the part of Scarlett.

George Cukor left the production as director. There are numerous versions as to why, including Cukor's friction with producer David O. Selznick, and star Clark Gable.

Bette Davis was considered to play Scarlett O'Hara but Warners would not allow it.

Tested for "Scarlett."

The star nicknamed the "The American Beauty" reportedly declined an offer to play Belle Watling.

Ellen Drew was another actress considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

Irene Dunne was considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

The great star was a prime contender to play "Rhett Butler." Bette Davis refused to play "Scarlett" if Flynn were cast.

According to her 1978 autobiography, Miss Fontaine was offered the role of Melanie but turned it down, suggesting her sister, Olivia De Havilland who played the role and was Oscar nominated for her performance.

Judy Garland was briefly considered for the role of Scarlet O'Hara's youngest sister Careen. the role would eventually be played by Garland's co-star from the Andy Hardy films, Ann Rutherford.

Gaynor was considered for the part of Melanie Hamilton, but she would not reduce her salary requirements.

Lillian Gish was one of a few actresses considered for the role of Ellen O'Hara, Scarlet's mother.

The smart, sexy Goddard tested for the role of "Scarlett O'Hara."

Jean Harlow was considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

Julie Haydon tested for the role of Melanie Hamilton.

The fiery redhead tested for the role of "Scarlett O'Hara."

Katharine Hepburn was considered to play Scarlett but producers felt that she didn't fit the role at that time.

Miriam Hopkins was an early contender to play Scarlett O'Hara.

Hunt was one of the many actresses considered for Melanie Hamilton. However, de Havilland was always the first choice.

Priscilla Lane was considered for the part of Melanie Wilkes.

The Oscar nominated actress tested for the role of Melanie Hamilton.

Carole Lombard was considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

The beautiful and elegant Louise screen-tested to play "Scarlett O'Hara."

Boots Mallory was another actress considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

Margeret Mitchell, the author of the book, felt that Groucho would be perfect as Rhett Butler. She was ignored.

Victor Mature auditioned for the roles of Brent and Stuart Tarleton at a time when it appeared likely that the twins would be played by a single actor, using trick photography. Eventually this was deemed impractical and the producers sought a pair of actors who could believably play brothers.

O'Sullivan was one of many starlets considered for the pivotal role of Melanie.

20th Century Fox head Darryl F. Zanuck foolishly and selfishly denied the makers of this Civil War classic epic the chance to borrow Power from Fox so that he could play Ashley Wilkes.

Vincent Price said on a TV interview that he had tried out for the role of Ashley Wilkes. It's speculated that they wanted someone smaller and less masculine so viewers would wonder what she saw in Ashley Wilkes.

Margret Mitchell was quoted as saying Basil Rathbone was her ideal choice for the role of Rhett Butler.

Jo Ann Sayers was another actress considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

Several fan polls chose Randolph Scott as the favorite to play Ashley Wilkes, but producer David O. Selznick was concerned that Scott had recently appeared in another Civil War film, "So Red the Rose," which had flopped.

Norma Shearer turned down the role of Scarlett O'Hara.

One of the numerous actresses screen-tested for the part of Melanie.

Margaret Sullavan was considered to play Scarlett O'Hara.

She was considered for the role of Bonnie Blue Butler.

The major MGM star screentested for the role of "Scarlett O'Hara."

According to her daughter's biography, the one role Young most wanted and did not get was that of Melanie Hamilton.