It’s that time of year again for my 11th graders to learn all about F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby is definitely my favorite novel to teach. Fitzgerald’s gift of language is amazing, and I love the 1974 version of the film.
Here are some pics from the film, and of course some trivia. What do you think of the novel and/or film?
–Originally, Truman Capote was the screenwriter, and his draft included making Nick a homosexual and Jordan Baker a vindictive lesbian. Capote was fired, and Francis Ford Coppola finished his draft in three weeks.
— The rights for the novel were purchased by producer Robert Evans in 1971 so that his wife at the time, Ali MacGraw, could play the part of Daisy. A shooting script wasn’t ready yet, and MacGraw agreed to star in The Getaway (1972) as filler. During the production of The Getaway (1972) MacGraw fell in love with co-star Steve McQueen and left Evans for him. Mia Farrow was then picked to play Daisy.
–Mia Farrow was pregnant during filming and the director filmed around that by including close up shots of Farrow, and having her wear a lot of flowing costumes.
–Patsy Kensit who plays the very young daughter of Mia Farrow’s character in this movie, later portrayed Mia Farrow herself in Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story (1995) (TV) which included a re-enactment of the filming of this picture.
–Many of the male extras in the party scenes were recruited from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island because military officers already wore the clean-cut hairstyles that were worn by men in the period of the film.
–According to Robert Evans in his memoirs Warren Beatty was approached to play Gatsby but wanted to direct the film and suggested Evans play the role himself. Jack Nicholson was offered but rejected the role because he didn’t believe Ali MacGraw to be appropriate casting for Daisy (she was later replaced with Mia Farrow) and Steve McQueen was also considered and rejected for the role.
–According to Robert Evans the final 5 names considered for the role of Daisy Buchanan were Mia Farrow, Faye Dunaway, Candice Bergen, Katharine Ross and Lois Chiles. Farrow eventually beat off Bergen for the role and Chiles was given the smaller role of Jordan Baker.
–Francis Ford Coppola lived in “West Egg,” aka Great Neck, former home of F. Scott Fitzgerald, at the time of writing the screenplay for The Great Gatsby (1974).
–Supposedly Natalie Wood was an early contender for the role of Daisy but she allegedly became furious when the producers insisted on a screen test since the actress hadn’t been in a movie for over 5 years. She balked and negotiations ended.
You know what, i’ve never read the Great Gatsby before, but i obviously have to! The film looks really interesting xx
I have The Great Gatsby in storage in my closets along with the entire contents of my parents’ library. I need to pull it out and reread it. If only I weren’t so lazy.
Hi Petal!
oooh I adore the great Gatsby! The garden party reminds me of an outdoor wedding that I attended in France..marquee,lakes candles like twinkly stars and floaty gowns and balmy summer nightair, classic music..think I’ll watch the movie again now!
Rainey
I LOVE The Great Gatsby. Actually Fitzgerald is one of my favorite writers, so I like most of his stuff. I’ve never seen the film, but I really want to. It looks gorgeous.
pixiedrivein.blogspot.com
Hi Gorgeous!
Sorry for my sparce visits…life is crazy for me right now! Love your new look!
I just adore this movie, the fashion the era and that gorgeous Robert Redford!! Your students are lucky to have such a great teacher!!
Hugs,
Karyn
Bonjour Lori,
I love Mia’s hair in this movie. Robert Redford is handsome but he’s not my favorite – am I the only woman in the world who thinks like this? I know I’m weird.
Your students are the luckiest to have you for a teacher, I have a feeling they learn alot.
Hope you’re having a fabulous week!
Such a great movie, RR looks so handsome in it 🙂
Mia Farrow is stunning in this movie, I like seeing it just to see her hair and clothers.
Lovely!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Nicholson or Steve McQueen – I would not have bought it. 😉
I loved this movie.
I Love anything Fitzgerald or Redford for that matter.
What interesting research ~ thanks for sharing!
I taught Gatsby in my freshman college lit classes and students found it very relevant. I had one student write a BRILLIANT comparison of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde and Gatsby, as reflections of how the class system still exists in America.
Re: the Truman Capote point about Nick–I would say that there IS a really fascinating moment in the text when there is clearly some sort of odd tension between Nick and that photographer…and then Nick talks about walking up in the man’s room and then he changes the subject. If nothing else, those sorts of moments highlight the questionability of Nick’s objectivity and honesty as a narrator (despite his claims of being above the immorality he observes in those around him). My college students latched onto to that potentially homoerotic moment in the book and would not let me dismiss it, so it’s SO interesting that Capote was completely stifled from pursuing that odd moment in the text.
Last thing: I read a BRILLIANT academic article that made the compelling argument that Gatsy was African-American!!! A far cry from Coppola’s casting of the gorgeous and perfect Robert Redford!! If I can find the link, I will send it. I showed it to my students and they thought it was really interesting. Of course, more thought Gatsby was Jewish, which fit in with part of why he was being ostracised by the bigot Tom, etc. You get the point: I just love Fitzgerald and Gatsby. Who couldn’t love a man in pink shirts? I just adore that moment when Daisy is just caressing all his glorious shirts and crying. Just fascinating…..
I loved the book,and the 1974 movie. I actually saw the movie first. I was about 12 or 13. It had come on TV,and I remember thinking how glamorous the 1920’s must have been. Wow! What an eye opener too! When we’re kids. We tend to think that adults don’t have the same peer pressure problems. Or unrequited love. Yet as we grow up. We find these same pressures,and issues translate themselves into the adult world…lol…(keeping up with the jones, divorce, unhappy relationships etc..) I did enjoy reading the book in high school. A book gives so much more attention to detail,and to the characters thoughts,and actions. I hope your kids like it as much as I did. Oh,and thanks for sharing all the movie trivia. I can’t imagine any other actors playing these wonderful characters!
Loved this movie, and Robert R. was so cute in it! Take care Kori! Martha
shes is so beautiful (:
-cris
What great images on a fabulous movie!
Fitzgerald has got to be one of my most favourite authors and The Great Gatsby is tops in my book!!
And love the new header!
Kori, I have lost your email address and need you for something. Can you drop me an email when you have a moment??
Thanks kiddo, have a great day!
The Great Gatsby is my favorite book & my favorite movie!! I didn’t know Mia Farrow was pregnant during the movie!! I love Robert Redford. This movie is such a classic. The outfits in the party scenes are beautiful!!
hey lady I’m also currently running a giveaway over at my blog! If you get a chance hop on over!
“Wine Glasses Giveaway!”