Hey there, friends! Let me tell you something—fans of The Carol Burnett Show are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to picking their favorite sketch. There were hundreds of comedy bits over the years, but one stands out like a shining star in the comedy galaxy. It’s the legendary “Went With the Wind” sketch, a hilarious parody of the classic film Gone With the Wind. But guess what? This iconic sketch almost didn’t happen. Can you imagine that? Neither could I!
A Stroke of Genius
Now, here’s the inside scoop straight from the legend herself, Carol Burnett, who recently shared this story during an exclusive episode of “The Art of Kindness With Robert Peterpaul” podcast, which was obtained by Closer. Carol, who’s still as sharp and witty as ever at 90 years old, gave all the credit to their brilliant costume designer, Bob Mackie. “That was the genius of our costume designer, Bob Mackie,” she said with a laugh. “He came up with that idea.” And boy, are we glad he did!
From Concept to Curtain Dress
So, let’s dive into the details. In the original script, Carol was supposed to come down the stairs with the drapes just hanging off her, but Bob Mackie thought, “Hmm, that’s not funny enough.” And boy, was he right! So, when Carol went into costume fitting that week, Bob had this incredible idea brewing in his mind. “I have an idea for the curtain dress,” he told her. And oh, what an idea it was!
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Picture this: Carol walks into the fitting room, and there on a mannequin is this outrageous dress made entirely out of curtains. “I walked in, and he had it on a mannequin,” Carol recalled, her voice filled with laughter. “I fell on the floor laughing. I said, ‘This is gonna be one of the greatest sight gags in the history of television.’ And it is. It’s in The Smithsonian!” Can you believe that? A piece of comedy history preserved for all time!
The Curtain Dress: A Comedy Milestone
Let me paint a clearer picture for you. In the sketch, Carol plays Starlett O’Hara, a take on the iconic Scarlett O’Hara. She throws a party at her house that’s packed with drama, love triangles, and, of course, that unforgettable curtain dress. The sketch is a masterclass in comedy timing and creativity, and it’s no wonder it’s become a fan favorite. But it almost didn’t happen without Bob Mackie’s brilliant mind and Carol’s fearless willingness to try something new.
Now, let’s talk about the incredible team behind The Carol Burnett Show. Carol and her talented castmates, including Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman, Lyle Waggoner, and others, brought joy to millions from 1967 to 1978. Even after the show ended, Carol continued to shine in her comedic roles, appearing in shows like Mama’s Family, Mad About You, and The Larry Sanders Show. Her talent truly knows no bounds!
Carol’s Dream Parody
If Carol had a variety show on cable today, there’s one famous family she’d love to parody. Can you guess? That’s right, the Kardashians! But you know what she really loved spoofing? The old movies. “Nanny and I would go to the movies when we could save our pennies,” Carol reminisced. “I grew up watching movies in the ‘40s and ‘50s. So, when I got my show, I would do take-offs on the classics like Mildred Pearce, Gone With the Wind, Double Indemnity, The African Queen, and The Postman Always Rings Twice. It was a thrill for me to be able to do those take-offs.”
