Oh Rhett!

If you haven't seen GONE WITH THE WIND lately, rent it. It's really something. One quote I liked particularly is at the bottom of the page.

The scene is a big charity ball, with Scarlett in widow's weeds -- dressed in black -- and furious that she has to be on the sidelines and can not dance, as that would be very improper for a new widow. She's only a widow because she married the brother of her rival, Melanie, right after Melanie marries Scarlett's true secret love, Ashley (a girly boy's name to be sure, played by Leslie Howard, who ironically ALSO had a girly boy's name). She couldn't care less for Charles Hamilton and did it only to spite Ashley.

The two guys go off to war immediately and Scarlett's unfortunate husband dies -- good for Scarlett actually. Does he die in an heroic battle? Nah -- he dies of pneumonia, which is even more pathetic. She is a rich, spoiled, self-indulgent girl who Rhett Butler meets and sizes up right away. They are a match made in heaven -- both of them are ruthless, selfish, charming, cunning survivors. Rhett knows and admits this about himself. He's also quick to tell Scarlett she's the same animal, but she will not accept this. She finds him arrogant and obnoxious.

Scarlett hasn't seen Rhett for months until he shows up at the charity ball, much to her disgust. He teases her about what a lousy widow she makes and how it's clear all she wants to do is dance and flirt.

At the charity ball, someone proposes that the men bid for the women as dance partners, giving the money to "the Cause" and Rhett offers the stunning sum of 150 gold Confederate dollars. The room falls silent to hear his choice of partner. He says "Mrs. Charles Hamilton" and no one even knows who he means. Of course this is Scarlett's married and now widowed name. It's obvious no one else knows her in this role or name either. He repeats the name. Finally they get it and they are all shocked. The man running the event says she would never agree, she is in mourning.

Scarlett corrects him and says she'd be happy to dance with Rhett. More shocked faces, dropped jaws and fainting ladies ensue. They do the Virginia reel and Scarlett's striking black dress and Rhett's black dandy suit cut a figure against the rest of the colorful ball gowns.

She tells Rhett, "Another dance and my reputation will be ruined forever. "

And he says, my favorite line, "If you've enough courage, you can do without a reputation."