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Movies of the Week: The Painted Desert (1931), The Easiest Way (1931) and The Finger Points (1931)
This week, since it’s Clark Gable’s birthday this week, we’re highlighting his first speaking role and two of his early roles: The Painted Desert, The Easiest Way and The Finger Points, all from 1931. The Painted Desert, Clark’s first speaking role, is not very memorable. Western partners Jeff (MacDonald) and Cash (Farnum) find a baby boy in an otherwise deserted emigrants camp, and clash over which is to be “father”. They are still bitterly feuding years later when they own adjacent ranches. Bill, the foundling whom Cash has raised to young manhood, wants to end the feud and extends an olive branch toward Jeff, who now has a lovely daughter.…