The search for Scarlett was born out of necessity as before he could make a deal with MGM for the loan of Clark Gable David Selznick had to fill his contract with United Artists for a number of films so he was unable to begin production on 'Gone With the Wind' for 2 and a half years after he'd bought the rights. Ever the showman he conceived the idea of a search for the right person to play Scarlett. At one time he employed over 100 talent scouts to cover small theatres, drama schools and universities to find the right girl. Hundreds were flown to Hollywood for a screen screen tests, one was a Brooklyn girl Edythe Marrenner, who was spotted as a model in a New York millinery show by Irene Mayer Selznick. Although she failed to become Scarlett she went on to fame as Susan Hayward. While Selznick was insistant on casting an unknown he also tested known actresses such as Paulette Goddard and Frances Dee who made an excellent tests. Selznick estimated the search cost $92,000 and after 2 years he'd still failed to find 'Scarlett' so he decided to start shooting with the burning of Atlanta, in actual fact burning old sets on the studio back lot so as to enable the building of Atlanta. During the burning Selznick's brother Myron arrived with a woman who he introduced as Scarlett. It was Vivien Leigh.

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