law set out to make GWTW  an MGM picture, initially offering to buy him out at a profit.  Although other studios, notably Warner Brothers (who had proposed  Bette Davis (qv)/Errol Flynn (I) (qv) and advantageous  financing) or Selznicks own distributor, United Artists, were  interested in providing a production financing package, none of them  had an actor capable of filling Rhett Butlers boots except MGMs  Clark Gable (qv). After much vacillating on Selzicks part, a deal  was struck with Mayer on January 19, 1938 that gave Selznick Gable  and $1.25 million toward production in return for distribution  rights and 50% of the profits, which were further shrunk by Loews  Inc.s 15% interest and requirement to pay Gables $4,500.00 per  week salary and 1/3rd of Gables $50,000 loan