List No. 022

FRANKLY, MY DEAR…

Selznick International Pictures

1939

Few lines in cinema history are as famous as Gone with the Wind’s “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” – a response given by Rhett Butler to Scarlett O’Hara’s question, “Where shall I go? What shall I do?” – and in 2005, the American Film Institute named it the Greatest Movie Quote of All Time. But, it could have been so different. Two months prior to the film’s release, American censors deemed the word “damn” to be offensive and asked for it to be removed. The decision was only reversed weeks later due to a quick amendment to the Production Code by the board of the Motion Picture Association. Before that change was made, however, with the word “damn” temporarily banished, the film’s producers prepared a list of alternatives.

GONE WITH THE WIND – LEWTON

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“- - - Frankly, my dear, nothing could xxxxx interest me less - - - -“ Bowie

, I don’t care - - - - -” Anon.

, it leaves me cold - - - - -” Ibid.

, it leaves me cold - - - - -” Ibid.

, it has become of no concern to me - - - -” Ibid.

, I don’t give a Continental - - - -” Ibid.

, I don’t give a hoot!” Ibid.

, I don’t give a whoop!” Ibid.

, I am completely indifferent - - -” Ibid.

, you can go to the devil, fora ll of me - - -” Ibid.

, you can go to the devil for all I care - - -” Ibid.

, I’m not even indifferent - - I just don’t care - -” L

, I’ve come to the end - - -” Millington

, I just don’t care - - -” L.

, my indifference is boundless - - -” Ibid.

, I don’t give a straw

, It’s all the same to me

, it is of no consequence

, the devil may care- - - I don’t!

, I’ve withdrawn from the battle

, the whole thing is a stench in my nostrils

,it makes my gorge rise