-
Gossip Friday: One Take, Please
From August 1951: Uncertain though their future plans may be, to watch [Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner] together is to fully realize their deep devotion for each other. Following lunch, we sat on the “Lone Star” set and watched Frankie boy’s best beautiful girl being made love to by—Clark Gable! “Any suggestions?” called out the King to the crooner. “Just do it in ONE take!” was the kidding answer.
-
Gossip Friday: Crooner’s Union
From June 1945: Clark Gable and Cary Grant have been served notice to join the “Crooner’s Union” or suffer the consequences. The threat comes red hot from Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Andy Russell. Cary is going to warble several Cole Porter numbers in “Night and Day.” Clarkie-boy whips off a few bars of “The Trolley Song” in “This Strange Adventure.” If they can possibly arrange it, the day these numbers are recorded, Bing, Frank and Andy are going to sneak on the set and give out with a few Bronx cheers.
-
November Movie of the Month: Mogambo (1953)
This month’s film is the 1953 jungle romance-adventure Mogambo. The most interesting thing about this film is that it is a remake of Red Dust, with Clark reprising his role. What man could reprise the leading role of the jungle Lothario twenty years later? Only Clark Gable, of course. Gable is Victor Marswell, who earns his living in Africa by trapping wild animals for zoos and carnivals. His no-nonsense way of life is interrupted by the arrival of Eloise “Honey Bear” Kelly (Ava Gardner), a sassy showgirl from New York who is stranded there. They clash at first but soon are bedfellows. Just as Honey Bear leaves, anthropologist Donald Nordley…
