Why not in color?


Selznick intended to make this an expensive epic on the level of Gone with the Wind, and also make it a showcase for his girlfriend, Jennifer Jones. So for all
the effort he put into this film, why did he stick with black and white instead of
shooting it in lush color?


I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

Hewwo.

reply

i've always thought the very same thing.
not sure if the war restrictions had anything to do with the actual production although 20th century fox was producing great Technicolor musicals for Betty Grable around the same time of Since You Went Away.

reply

You bring up a very good point. This would have been gorgeous in color!

reply

I always assumed that the B&W is what was intended. I absolutely love the cinematography. Look at those shots at the dance where the couples waltz together and you see the shadows...... Again, where Jennifer Jones is finally standing alone after the train is gone. You see that long shadow.... She is so alone.....
This had to be meant to be done in B&W. Personally, I loved what they did with this. It set a mood.
I think it was beautifully done. Color doesn't always mean quality.

"Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night"

reply

We know that color doesn't mean quality, and I agree the B&W cinematography is beautiful here. But being a big-budget film that intended to be the next big thing, that usually meant color back then. Think Gone With the Wind (I believe some trailers even announced this as the next GWTW).

reply