1960: Why Gable Feared Rhett Butler

Below is one of Clark Gable’s final interviews, by an entertainment reporter who went to see him in Reno.

Why Gable Feared Rhett Butler

by Emery Wister

November 18, 1960

One of Clark Gable’s last interviews was given to Emery Wister, The Charlotte News amusement writer. Here Mr. Gable, the film star who died in his sleep yesterday, tells some of his fears in playing the role of Rhett Butler in “Gone with the Wind.”

RENO–Twenty-one years ago Clark Gable was afraid his career was about to come to a sudden, crashing halt.

The public was insistent that he play the role of Rhett Butler in “Gone with the Wind.” So was David Selznick, who was to spend a record $4 million to produce the film.

So was Hollywood itself, which knew Gable was the one logical choice for the role of the dashing blackguard who wooed Scarlett O’Hara.

But Gable wasn’t so sure.

“Rhett Butler could have hurt me,” he said between scenes of his new picture “The Misfits,” filmed on location near here. “I wasn’t sure I could play the role.

“Too many people had read the book. I didn’t think I could do it right. I knew if I didn’t play Rhett the way these people saw him my career could be ruined.”

Gable thought about the matter for some time. Then he called “Gone with the Wind” author Margaret Mitchell in Atlanta.

“You’ve got to help me out on this thing,” he told her. “You’ve got to show me how to play this role.”

And so with the coaching of Miss Mitchell and the help of screenwriters and directors he turned the part into the biggest plum of his career.

It firmly entrenched him as the No.1 star and did much to give him the title of “The King” in motion pictures.

There was talk Gable resented the fact that the public insisted he play Rhett Butler. There was gossip he didn’t like the idea that people associated him so naturally with the scoundrel Rhett Butler.

Gable only laughed at such talk.

“Oh, that had nothing to do with it,” he said. “I didn’t mind playing Butler at all except I didn’t think I could do justice to the part. And I had to be right in the picture. It could have stopped me cold right there and then.”

Gable also laughs at reports that Miss Mitchell had him in mind when she created Rhett Butler.

“That’s not true,” he said. “Why, she had been working on the book for years.”

After “Gone with the Wind” Gable continued his role as the movies’ matinee idol. He continued to play roles clear into the 60’s amid criticism that he was too old for such roles.

Gable didn’t quarrel with those critics.

“I agree with them,” he said. “I am too old to play opposite young girls. I won’t co-star with anyone under 35, and a 35-year-old woman is not a young girl.”

He did hedge a bit in “The Misfits.” His co-star is Marilyn Monroe and she is 34.

“I had never been in a picture with her,” he said. “And I wanted to do this.”

____

I don’t believe this phone call to Margaret Mitchell ever took place. Also it wasn’t Clark’s decision to play Rhett Butler in the end. Louis B. Mayer made the deal with David Selznick and that was that.