{New Article} 1933: Lost–The Gable Wallop

This is one of those early 1930’s “interviews” with Clark Gable that seems utterly pointless but kept the Gable-crazed fans satiated, I suppose. We know we’re in for a real fluff piece when it starts out with:

Clark sits up through the night and thinks about himself. Has too much introspection robbed him of his force and punch?

Oh boy.

“The other night when I came home from a party, I went to bed but I couldn’t sleep. I got up and pulled on a dressing gown and went out on the porch. It was about two o’clock in the morning, and there was no traffic on the road in front of the house, nothing to be heard, no light but moon. I got to thinking about myself, wondering where I’m headed.

“I was a little disgruntled over not having been able to get away on a hunting trip. I grumbled to myself hat I’d developed into a slave. Then suddenly I realized that on the contrary Hollywood had given me courage for the first time in my life to be myself.

“I used to have an ungovernable temper. When I stop to think about it, Hollywood has taught me to control that. Not long ago I was arguing with one of the studio executives about a role. All at once I realized I was getting plenty sore. Before I completely lost my temper, I said, ‘I’m sorry. I just remembered an important engagement. I’ll see you later.’ And left before I said something I’d regret. When I’d cooled off, I went back and talked him around to what I wanted.

“To attempt to get what you want by flying into a rage in an organization the size of the average studio is not unlike a bird’s trying to reach a certain point by flying against a cyclone. Outbursts of temper antagonize not only the people against whom they are directed, but they sour your own disposition. They strain not only diplomatic relations but your voice, your face, your acting, and your general bearing.

“Another thing Hollywood has taught me is the difference between friends and acquaintances. The former are few and far between and it seems to me that, in return for their friendship, they should be given more consideration and thought than you give your acquaintances. The idea of a smile and a handshake for everybody is the bunk. A little respect and consideration impresses them and enables you to save affection for your friends.

“I know there are some very fine people out here, but I think the majority are more fickle, more changeable, than elsewhere.”

I don’t see Clark saying much of this.

“One of the swellest times I’ve ever had in my life was on my last hunting trip. My companion was a man who has never seen me on the screen.”

“Didn’t you feel hurt because he hadn’t?” I inquired curiously.

“Lord, no! I loved him for it. When I go out anywhere and people start trying to get me to talk about myself, that’s when I never want to go back to that place again. I find out what business my host is in and then try to discuss that intelligently with him—partly because I’m really interested in other lines of work and partly because it’s the easiest way to bridge the gap. My hunting companion could talk to me about how he keeps his dogs in condition, how lions live, how he goes about trapping animals, and all the other things I love to hear about.

“That sort of thing helps to keep my perspective. I stay in a place like the Kaibab Forest in Arizona for a couple of weeks where I neither see nor hear about pictures, and then I come back with a fresh viewpoint.”

This is typical MGM publicity from this time period. Clark Gable isn’t into glamour, Clark Gable loves to hunt and fish and be a man’s man. Clark Gable isn’t into movie-making. Yawn. I’m still not sure why any of this means he’s lost his “wallop.”

You can read the article in its entirety in the Article Archive.

(Article #19 posted in 2019)