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Nutshell Reviews: But Not For Me (1959) and It Started in Naples (1960)
In a Nutshell: But Not For Me (1959) Directed by: Walter Lang Co-starring: Carroll Baker, Lilli Palmer Synopsis: Gable is Russ Ward, an aging Broadway producer deep in debt and losing his touch. When he finally decides to throw in the towel, his much younger secretary, Ellie Brown (Baker), admits to being in love with him. Her speech to him gives him the idea for a great play and he sets to work on it, reviving his career, leading Ellie on in the process. She proves she can play the lead role and becomes a success. Russ starts to have feelings for Ellie but his ever-present meddling ex-wife, Kathryn (Palmer) interferes. Best Gable Quote: “That’s…
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Happy 75th Anniversary, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard
75 years ago today, on March 29, 1939, Clark Gable married Carole Lombard in Kingman, Arizona. Clark’s description of the day himself: It has been written since then that Carole and I had that wedding day planned out for months in advance, but that’s not true. It happened this way. On the afternoon of March 28, I was finished with my scenes [in “Gone with the Wind”] about three in the afternoon. While I was taking off my make-up, the assistant director came over and said I didn’t need to work the next day. I called Carole at once and with the aid of a close friend, we headed out that…
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{New Article} Two Happy People: Part 1
Let’s kick off the weekend of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard’s 75th wedding anniversary with a new article, shall we? There were a LOT of articles written about Clark and Carole from the second they started flirting in 1936 through 1942 and even beyond. But my favorites, by far, are the series of articles written by James Street for Movie and Radio Guide magazine in May 1940. They are straightforward, laid back, non-fluffy and make you think you are sitting there chatting with Clark and Carole yourself. The series was four parts, with one focusing on Carole, one on Clark, one on their ranch home, and the final on their…
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Gossip Friday: Clark Gable? No Such Person
From April 1937: The screen’s most forward sophisticate has evidently learned that yesteryear’s reticence is best for a fine romance. At Paramount there is just no such person as Clark Gable. Carole Lombard is aghast at any suggestion that she be linked in print with Clark. However, at MGM he admits his fondness for her. Carole’s friends say that she’s too much in love to risk any blunders, and silence is her best bet.
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Nutshell Reviews: Run Silent, Run Deep (1958) and Teacher’s Pet (1958)
In a Nutshell: Run Silent, Run Deep (1958) Directed by: Robert Wise Co-stars: Burt Lancaster, Don Rickles, Jack Warden Synopsis: Gable is Commander Richardson, a steel-willed Navy captain whose submarine is sunk by the Japanese early in World War II. After a year strapped behind a desk, he jumps at the opportunity to command another submarine–much to the chagrin of Lieutenant Bledsoe (Lancaster), who was set to take over the sub. The crew all sides with Bledsoe and resists Richardson’s authority. There is much uproar when the crew of the sub discovers that Richardson has gone off of their planned path to seek revenge on the Japanese sub that blew…
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Gone with the Wednesday: Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Gone with the Wind in Georgia!
Gone with the Wind hasn’t been getting much [good] press for its 75th anniversary this year, but here’s one way to celebrate the occasion: The Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum is holding a three day celebration in Georgia, June 6-8! Yours truly will be there, with bells on! Here’s the itinerary: FRIDAY, JUNE 6: 11:00-1:30 p.m. $25 (with weekend ticket) $35 (single ticket) The Wind Has Left – Christie Lynn Theatre/Murray Arts Center Live, on stage! Director Connie Sutherland and Producer Chris Sullivan present their version of Gone With the Wind starring Morgan Brittany, Greg Giese, Mickey Kuhn, Patrick Curtis and a host of non-actors (they’re mostly…
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Nutshell Reviews: The King and Four Queens (1956) and Band of Angels (1957)
In a Nutshell: The King and Four Queens (1956) Directed by: Raoul Walsh Co-stars: Eleanor Powell, Jo Van Fleet, Barbara Nichols, Sara Shane, Jean Wiles Synopsis: In this Cinemascope Western, Gable is Dan Kehoe, a fugitive outlaw on the hunt for gold. In one town, he hears the story of the bandit McDade brothers, who were blown up in an explosion after stealing a huge pot of gold. Of the four, one escaped but no one knows which one. The gold was hidden by their mother, who is guarding it and the sons’ four wives in the deserted town of Wagon Mound. Kehoe makes up a story and hides out…
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Nutshell Reviews: Betrayed (1954), Soldier of Fortune (1955) and The Tall Men (1955)
In an Nutshell: Betrayed (1954) Directed by: Gottfried Reinhardt Co-stars: Lana Turner, Victor Mature Synopsis: Gable is Colonel Pieter Deventer of Dutch Intelligence during World War II. He trains Carla Van Oven (Turner) to be the liaison between the British and the local resistance movement, led by a spunky rogue called “The Scarf” (Mature). Before she is put into position Pieter and Carla begin a romance. The team starts to suffer heavy losses after she joins them and Pieter begins to suspect she is a Nazi spy, while at the same time Carla begins to suspect The Scarf. Best Gable Quote: “You stupid, whimpering fool. No, I’m the fool.…
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Gossip Friday: Clark Gable to the Rescue
From March 1937: A young lady we know experienced the double thrill of being rescued from a predicament by Clark Gable, and of being mistaken by him for Carol [sic] Lombard, all on the same afternoon. Stranded on the roadside by motor trouble, the attractive blonde girl was just about to go for help when Clark drove up. First he apologized for mistaking her for Carol [sic], and then pushed her ailing car down the street a few blocks to a garage. Prior to that adventure the young lady’s favorite actor was Clark Gable. He’s still her favorite actor.
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Gone with the Wednesday: Clark Gable and the Dreaded Technicolor Tests
Clark Gable hated anything that he felt was frivoulous about film making. He wanted to just show up, read his lines and go home. He didn’t like taking promotional stills or messing with endless wardrobe fittings. It was part of the job, but he didn’t have to like it. The costumes in Gone with the Wind were a sore spot with Clark. When he first showed up to film, despite endless fittings, his costumes didn’t fit right. He already disliked wearing period garb and his long hair was annoying to him as well. I think you can tell from these stills taken from wardrobe and Technicolor tests for that he…