Quotable quotes: Smart people do dumb things (1)
August 24, 2008 by Miki Saxon
We’ve all had experience with hindsight and learned up close and personal that it’s usually 20/20. But how many knowledgeable people would be wrong about the same project at each stage of its evolution?
More than you’d think. Gone With the Wind is a great example judging by these comments.
“A period novel! About the Civil War! Who needs the Civil War now—who cares?” –Herbert R. Mayes, Editor of the Pictorial Review, when turning down a prepublication offer to serialize Margaret Mitchell’s novel (Just shows that you should ignore rejection letters, keep on writing and you, too, may win a Pulitzer.)
“Forget it, Louis, no Civil War picture ever made a nickel.” –Irving Thalberg’s warning to Louis B. Mayer. (Good thing Mayer didn’t listen.)
“I’m just glad it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling on his face and not Gary Cooper” –Gary Cooper on turning down the lead. (Coop as Rhett? I just can’t see it.)
“Now I am happy I did Gone With the Wind. I wasn’t when I was 28, but it’s part of black history.” –Butterfly McQueen (Part of all history.)
What’s your favorite bit of hindsight?
Your comments—priceless
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Image credit: ☆Andagi☆ CC license