Trivia Tuesday: Hattie McDaniel

Born on this date in 1892 in Wichita, Kansas

The first African American to win an Academy Award, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role as "Mammy" in Gone With The Wind

Wanted to be buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery, but was denied because of her race and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery instead. A cenotaph was dedicated to her in Hollywood Forever in 1999 on October 26th, the anniversary of her death.

Unable to attend the Atlanta premiere of Gone With The Wind because of segregation in the south, but attended the Hollywood premiere of the film

Has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for radio and one for film

Upon her death, she left her Oscar to Howard University, but it was lost in the sixties during the race riots and has never been found.

Often opened up her own home to African American actors who couldn't find decent accommodations in Hollywood because of their race.

Actively participated in USO shows during World War II

Appears on a US postage stamp released in 2006 as part of the Black Heritage series.

Her father was a former slave, who also fought in the Civil War.

Trivia Tuesday: Gary Cooper

Died on this date in 1961, only six days after his 60th birthday

Had several affairs with high profile actresses including Clara Bow, Lupe Velez, Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelly, Tallulah Bankhead, and Patricia Neal.

The only actor that Alvin York would allow to play him in the film based on his life

Inducted to the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Heritage Museum in 1966

Won an Oscar for his roles in Sergeant York and High Noon

Turned down the role of Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind, The Ringo Kid in Stagecoach, and Norman Maine in A Star is Born

Founded his own production company with Samuel Goldwyn, International Pictures, in 1944. He sold it to Universal in 1946 and they changed the name to Universal-International.

Had a full face lift in 1958, which many people said left him looking very different from before.

Originally buried at Holy Cross cemetery in Los Angeles, his widow had his body moved and reburied under a three ton boulder in 1974 in Southampton, New York 

Was close friends with Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Bing Crosby, and James Stewart

Trivia Tuesday: Gone With The Wind

Gary Cooper was considered for the role of Rhett Butler but turned it down, believing it would be a huge flop! Others considered for the role were Basil Rathbone, Ronald Coleman, and Errol Flynn.

Billie Burke was considered for the role of Aunt Pittypat, but was thought to be too thin. Instead she played the iconic role of Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, released that same year.

For a time, Vincent Price was considered for the role of Ashley Wilkes. Others considered were Melvyn Douglas, Randolph Scott, and Tyrone Power.

One of the sets used for the burning of Atlanta was the "great wall" from King Kong.

The bulk of the film was directed by Victor Fleming, who replaced George Cukor. Fleming also directed the another big hit of 1939, The Wizard of Oz, and had been the replacement for Cukor on that film as well!

This was the first color film to win the Best Picture Oscar and also the longest running film to win the honor.

The first posthumous Oscar was awarded to Sidney Howard for this film for best adapted screenplay.

A few titles Margaret Mitchell first considered for her novel were Tomorrow Is Another Day, Bugles Sang True, Tote The Weary Load, and Ba! Ba! Black Sheep.