<P> Some film scholars consider 1939 to be the high point of the golden age of Classical Hollywood, producing classics in many genres, including the Western . Warner Bros. produced Michael Curtiz's sprawling Technicolor adventure Dodge City, Flynn and de Havilland's first Western film . Set during the American Civil War, the film is about a Texas trailblazer who witnesses the brutal lawlessness of Dodge City, Kansas, and becomes sheriff to clean up the town . De Havilland played Abbie Irving, whose initial hostility towards Flynn's character Wade Hatton is transformed by events, and the two fall in love‍--‌by now a proven formula for their on - screen relationships . Curtiz's action sequences, Sol Polito's cinematography, Max Steiner's expansive film score, and perhaps the "definitive saloon brawl in movie history" all contributed to the film's success . Variety described the film as "a lusty western, packed with action". For de Havilland, playing yet one more supporting love interest in a limited role, Dodge City represented the emotional low point of her career to that point . She later said, "I was in such a depressed state that I could hardly remember my lines ." </P> <P> In a letter to a colleague dated November 18, 1938, film producer David O. Selznick wrote, "I would give anything if we had Olivia de Havilland under contract to us so that we could cast her as Melanie ." The film he was preparing to shoot was Gone with the Wind, and Jack L. Warner was unwilling to lend her out for the project . De Havilland had read the novel, and unlike most other actresses, who wanted the Scarlett O'Hara role, she wanted to play Melanie Hamilton ‍--‌a character whose quiet dignity and inner strength she understood and felt she could bring to life on the screen . </P> <P> De Havilland turned to Warner's wife Anne for help . Warner later recalled, "Olivia, who had a brain like a computer concealed behind those fawn - like eyes, simply went to my wife and they joined forces to change my mind ." Warner relented, and de Havilland was signed to the project a few weeks before the start of principal photography on January 26, 1939 . Set in the American South during the 19th century, the film is about the strong - willed daughter of a Georgia plantation owner in love with the husband of her sister - in - law, Melanie, whose kindness stands in sharp contrast to those around her . According to film historian Tony Thomas, de Havilland's skillful and subtle performance effectively presents this character of selfless love and quiet strength in a way that keeps her vital and interesting throughout the film . Gone with the Wind had its world premiere in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 15, 1939, and was well received . Frank S. Nugent of The Times wrote that de Havilland's Melanie "is a gracious, dignified, tender gem of characterization", and John C. Flinn, Sr., in Variety called her "a standout". The film won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and de Havilland received her first nomination for Best Supporting Actress . </P> <P> Melanie was someone different . She had very, deeply feminine qualities...that I felt were very endangered at that time, and they are from generation to generation, and that somehow they should be kept alive, and...that's why I wanted to interpret her role...The main thing is that she was always thinking of the other person, and the interesting thing to me is that she was a happy person...loving, compassionate . </P>

Who played melanie wilkes in gone with the wind
find me the text answering this question