David O. Selznick, a renowned film producer, was born into a family of cinematic heritage as the son of Lewis J. Selznick, a prominent silent movie producer. David's academic pursuits took him to Columbia University, where he studied diligently until his father's financial fortunes began to dwindle in the 1920s.
Undeterred, David embarked on a career in the film industry, starting as a script reader at MGM, where he swiftly rose through the ranks to become an assistant to the esteemed Harry Rapf. This stint was followed by a brief sojourn at Paramount, after which he joined the ranks at RKO.
However, David's journey eventually led him back to MGM, where he found a sense of belonging and purpose. This was largely due to his marriage to Irene Mayer Selznick, the daughter of the illustrious Louis B. Mayer, in 1933.
As his professional stature grew, David's entrepreneurial spirit prompted him to establish his own production company, Selznick International, in 1936. This marked the beginning of a new era in his illustrious career, which would eventually culminate in the production of the iconic film, Gone with the Wind, in 1939.
The journey to this iconic milestone was not without its challenges, as David navigated the complex world of filmmaking, working with three esteemed directors and fifteen talented scriptwriters to bring his vision to life.
