Biography Of Clark Gable

The KING.

One of Hollywood's most popular leading men of the 1930s and '40s, Clark Gable was nominated for three Best Actor Oscars over the course of his career and even became the first actor ever to win an Academy Award for a comedy performance when he won for IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934). But he earned his royal nickname when he won a popularity poll in 1936 and The New York Daily News crowned him King of Hollywood. (Incidentally, Myrna Loy was crowned queen at the same mock ceremony.
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"Soldier of Fortune (1955)"


"Honky Tonk (1941)"


"Comrade X (1940)"

Life as an actor is not an easy ride in the beginning but it makes the person determine to pursuit his goal or career as Clark Gable went through. How he is started? lets find out here.



Gable was inspired to be an actor after seeing a life-impressing play The Bird of Paradise, but he was not able to make a real start until he turned 21 and could inherit money that had been left to him. By then, his stepmother Jennie had died. He toured in stock companies and worked oil fields. Deciding not to follow his father, Clark found work with several second-class theater companies and worked his way across the Midwest to Portland, Oregon, where he found work as a tie salesman in the Meier & Frank department store. While there he met the grandson of well-known actress Laura Hope Crews, who encouraged him back onto the stage and into another theater company. His acting coach was theatre manager of Portland, Oregon, Josephine Dillon (she was 17 years his senior), who had his teeth fixed and after some rigorous training eventually considered him ready to attempt a film career.

Road to Stardom



In 1924, with Josephine's financial aid, the two went to Hollywood, where she became his manager and his first wife. Although he found work as an extra and bit player in such silent films as The Plastic Age (1925), which starred Clara Bow, Gable was not offered any major roles and so he returned to the stage, becoming lifelong friends with Lionel Barrymore. In 1930, after his impressive appearance as the seething and desperate character Killer Mears in the play The Last Mile, he was offered a contract with MGM. Gable's first role in a sound picture was as the villain in a low-budget William Boyd western called The Painted Desert (1931). He received a lot of fan mail as a result of his powerful voice and appearance; the studio took notice.

In 1930, Clark and Josephine Dillon were divorced. A few days later, he married Texas socialite Ria Franklin Prentiss Lucas Langham. After moving to California, they were married again in 1931, possibly due to differences in state legal requirements.

"His ears are too big and he looks like an ape." So said Warner Bros. executive Darryl F. Zanuck about Clark Gable after testing him for the lead in Warner's gangster drama Little Caesar (1931).[5] After several failed screen tests (for Barrymore and Zanuck), Gable was signed in 1930 by MGM's Irving Thalberg.
Gable then worked mainly in supporting roles, often as the "heavy". Joan Crawford asked for him as co-star in Dance, Fools, Dance (1931). He built his fame and public visibility during 1931 in such important movies as A Free Soul (1931), in which he played a gangster who slapped Norma Shearer (Gable never played a supporting role again after that slap), Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise) (1931) with Greta Garbo, and Possessed (1931), in which he and Joan Crawford steamed up the screen with some of the passion they shared for decades in real life. Clark disliked Garbo and the feeling was mutual. She thought he was a wooden actor while he considered her to be a snob. To bolster his rocketing popularity, MGM frequently paired him with well-established female stars.



His unshaven lovemaking with bra-less Jean Harlow in Red Dust (1932) made him MGM's most important star. After the hit that was Hold Your Man (1933), MGM realized the goldmine of the Gable-Harlow vehicle, putting them in two more films: China Seas (1935) and Wife vs. Secretary (1936). An enormously popular combination, on-screen and off-screen, Gable and Jean Harlow were paired together in six films, the most notable being and Saratoga (1937). (Harlow died during production of Saratoga, of kidney failure.) Ninety percent completed, the remaining scenes were filmed with long shots or doubles. Gable would say that during the remaining ten percent, he felt as if he were "in the arms of a ghost". In the following years, he acted in a succession of enormously popular pictures, earning him the undisputed title of "King of Hollywood."

Throughout most of the 1930s and 1940s, he was arguably the world's biggest movie star.Gable had a reputation as an outdoorsman. At first, it was an image conceived by the MGM publicity department, but Gable found that he liked the lifestyle, and spent time in the outdoor wherever he could.

In Victor Fleming's TEST PILOT (1938), aviator Gable insists on testing the mettle of his best girl Myrna Loy by continually risking his life for his work, and, in the process, jeopardizing both his relationship with Loy and his friendship with Spencer Tracy. Following SAN FRANCISCO (1936) with Jeanette MacDonald, TEST PILOT marked the second of three MGM films in which Tracy stood by loyally while Gable got the girl despite his indescretions.



Gable in his most famous role as Rhett Butler with Vivien Leigh's Scarlett in GONE WITH THE WIND (1939), the third Oscar-winning Best Picture of Gable's career.

In BOOM TOWN (1940), Gable and Spencer Tracy play wildcatting oil men who are both named John and both in love with Claudette Colbert. Set in the '20s oil patches of Oklahoma and Texas with copious location footage contributing to its authentic feel, BOOM TOWN also co-stars Hedy Lamarr and Frank Morgan.

In his first film after returning from service in the Army Air Force during World War II, Gable was teamed with MGM's biggest female star, Greer Garson, in the romantic comedy ADVENTURE (1945), directed by one of Gable's favorite filmmakers, Victor Fleming.

Few leading men could appear opposite two such radiant leading ladies as Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly in the same film and not get blinded off the screen, but Gable held his own while romancing both women in the African adventure MOGAMBO (1953).

In John Huston's drama (The Misfits), sophisticated but emotionally crippled Roslyn (Marilyn Monroe, giving what many believe to be her strongest performance) has come to Nevada to gain a quick and easy divorce. When her landlady introduces her to aging, broken cowboy Gay Langland (Clark Gable), she finally finds herself with a worthy partner.It was the final film for icons Gable and Monroe.

Producer David O. Selznick faced up to the many challenges of re-creating Margaret Mitchell's best-selling novel, "Gone With the Wind" with zest, and imagination once he'd made his mind up to buy the film rights to the monumental work.

"David O. Selznick"

At first, Selznick hesitated in making his decision to buy the rights. Agent Annie Laurie Williams had taken the book to Kay Brown, head of New York Selznick offices. Kay was overwhelmed with the book, and insisted Selznick buy it. At first, Selznick hesitated, claiming an independent film producer couldn't do the movie justice. Kay Brown, undaunted, sent the synopsis for GWTW to Selznick Company Chairman, John Hay (Jock) Whitney. Whitney was so impressed with the book, he told Selznick flatly, "if you don't buy it, I will." That promoted Selznick to purchase it pronto.

Thalberg had influenced Mayer not to buy the property in "galley" form, and now they wanted it. Seiznick felt only Clark Gable could portray "Rhett Butler," and he negotiated with MGM for his services, by giving them distribution rights to the movie, and a percentage. In turn, Metro put up 1'/4 million dollars, and the project was underway.

As the book sales skyrocketed throughout the nation, the public became emotional about who should play "Scarlett" and the massive search was on. 1400 candidates were interviewed for the Scarlett O'Hara role, and 90 performers tested. But Selznick claimed it required only "one look" at the beautiful British actress Vivien Leigh to "know" she was right for the tempestuous beauty that had so captured the imagination of readers around the world. Clark Gable didn't feel the role of "Rhett" was right for him, but was nevertheless thought by the powers that be in Hollywood to be perfect for the role. So much so, in fact, he was paid the princely sum of $7,000 a week to portray the part.

Sidney Howard, was hired by Selznick to write a script as powerful as the novel. Howard, a California playwright, found his efforts richly rewarded when he found his screenplay receiving one of the film's 10 Academy Awards.

It was when he was working as a Broadway playwright, that the Pulitzer Prize winner was engaged to write the initial script. Even though he had written screenplays, he was not fundamentally interested in writing for film, and only came to Hollywood to confer with Selznick, and director George Cukor-immediately going back to New York to write.

During the several months of writing that followed, he sought help from Margaret Mitchell for dialogue authenticity, but the author, as she had earlier with producer Selznick, declined to participate in the film project.

Following months of work, Howard had a completed script, but it was over 400 pages long, and would have lasted six hours on screen.
At this point, David 0. Selznick thought of presenting the movie in two parts, but changed his mind when theater owners let him know they wouldn't want the film presented this way.

Now it was necessary to reduce the length of the Howard screenplay draft. Drastic cuts were required, and these were done with the assistance of the studio Story department.

Later, four other writers contributed to the final screenplay, usually working on isolated scenes.

Selznick's idea of an ideal screenplay was, "The ideal screenplay, as far as I am concerned, would be one that did not contain a single word of original dialogue, that was 100 percent Margaret Mitchell however much we juxtaposed it."

But when the enormous task of writing and re-writing had been completed, Selznick was satisfied with what had become a large collaborative effort.
Film Director George Cukor has described producer David 0. Selznick, as the man most responsible for the film adaptation.

The son of movie pioneer Lewis J. Selznick, and the son-in-law of MGM head Louis B. Mayer, the younger Selznick was very much aware of his family ties and eager to establish a reputation of his own.

Before his 30th birthday, he was at the helm of RKO studios, responsible for such films as "Little Women," "King Kong," "Of Human Bondage" and "What Price Hollywood." He then moved to MGM where he produced "Dinner At Eight," "Anna Karenina," "David Copperfield," and "A Tale of Two Cities."

However, the desire to be on his own prompted Selznick to form his own company, Selznick International Pictures, taking over the former Thomas Ince Studio in 1935.

Quickly developing a reputation for producing supremely crafted motion pictures, Selznick suffered economically until he was convinced to produce. "Gone With the Wind."

When filming was completed, the producer remarked just before a Hollywood press review: "At noon I think it's divine, at midnight I think it's lousy. Sometimes I think it's the greatest picture ever made. But if it's only a great picture, I'll be satisfied."

"Gone With the Wind" has often been dubbed, "The greatest movie ever made," and ironically, the overwhelming success left Selznick with the reputation as "the man who made 'Gone With the Wind', and later he complained, "don't people realize I made other pictures too?"

When Gable thought about playing "Rhett," he admitted, "I was scared when I discovered that I had been cast by the public. I felt that every reader would have different ideas as to how Rhett should be played on screen, and I didn't see how I could please everybody."

But Gable's dashing image of the adventuresome male had captured the hearts of thousands of readers of the book, and there was near-unanimity among fans that Gable must portray the hero.

Selznick was determined to include as much visual excitement as possible in the drama. It was his decision to burn not only existing sets on the studio backlot, for the Burning of Atlanta sequence in the film, but he insisted on building additional buildings as well to fill the screen with an immense conflagration.

Every available Technicolor camera in Hollywood-seven of them-were utilized to capture this scene simultaneously from all angles.
On the night of the burning, six different aspects were filmed, and all the major shooting was actually completed in about 60 minutes.

The preparation period involved 250,000 man hours for the motion picture. The production period involved 750,000 man hours with principal photography beginning Jan. 26, 1939 and continuing through July 1, 1939. 449,512 feet of film was shot, of which 160,000 were printed. The final running time was 222 minutes. The cast comprised 59 leading and supporting characters, and 2,400 extras. Animal extras included 1,100 horses, 375 assorted pigs, mules, oxes, cows and dogs.

Horse drawn vehicles, including 450 wagons, ambulances, and gun caissons were employed. 90 sets were actually built, using 1,000,000 feet of lumber. Wardrobe consisted of .5,500 separate items created at a cost of $153,818.

The production cost was 3.7 million. The total cost, with added overheads of prints, publicity and related costs was $4.25 million. On the world market, the movie has grossed over $120 million to date.

The panoramic Civil War drama, winner of 10 Academy Awards including the citation as the best picture of 1939, was telecast for the first time on NBC-TV, Sunday Nov. 7, and Monday, Nov. 8 1976.

The announcement of the acquisition of the television rights to the film was made by NBC-TV President Robert T. Howard to an audience of network affiliates: "It is particularly noteworthy that the film, "Gone With the Wind," whose theme is rooted in one of the most crucial periods in our nation's history, will be broadcast during the Bicentennial celebration."

"Gone With the Wind" attracted more TV viewers than any other television presentation to that date, again breaking all records. Prior to this the other winners had been "Ben Hur," "The Godfather," "Airport," and "Love Story."

The words of New York Times critic Frank S. Nugent when the film was originally released are as true today as they were when he said them
- . ." 'Gone With the Wind' is the greatest motion mural we have seen and the most ambitious film-making venture in Hollywood's spectacular history."

"Good morning. Remember me? I'm the man you slept on last night." --as Peter Warne in IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT.

Rhett Butler (Gone With the Wind):
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

Lt. Fletcher Christian (Mutiny on the Bounty):
"From now on they'll spell mutiny with my name.I regret that, but not the taking of the ship."

Peter Warner (It Happened One Night):
"I was wondering what makes dames like you so dippy."

Dan Kehoe (The King and Four Queens):
"You're a woman after my own heart. Tougher than wagon leather, smarter than spit, and colder than January."

Victor Albee Norman (The Hucksters):
"Now we're starting out with exactly an even nothing in the world. It's neater that way."

Dennis Carson (Red Dust):
"I've been looking at her kind ever since my voice changed."

Blackie Norton(San Francisco):
"Well sister, what's your racket?"

Mac Thompson (Comrade X):
"The USA. It ain't a spiritual desert. Say, it's pie a la mode, two-pants suits and the home of the brave, Pike's Peak and Coney Island."

Clark Gable, the King of Hollywood, was born in Cadiz, the Harrison County seat. The Gable Foundation has acquired the site of Mr. Gable's birth and has reconstructed the home where he and his parents resided. The building is operated as a museum and gift shop. The exhibit includes many items of Gable memorabilia, including items donated by his fans. The collection has grown with the donation of a large collection of items belonging to his wife, actress Carol Lombard.


" THE GRAVE OF CLARK GABLE"
at Forest Lawn in Glendale, California

The foundation holds several events throughout the year, but the highlight is the annual birthday celebration held on the Friday and Saturday closest to February 1, Mr. Gable's birthday. Information is available at 740-942-GWTW or at the foundation's website at www.clarkgablefoundation.com.

1931 THE PAINTED DESERT

1931 THE EASIEST WAY

1931 DANCE, FOOLS, DANCE

1931 THE SECRET SIX

1931 THE FINGER POINTS

1931 LAUGHING SINNERS

1931 A FREE SOUL

1931 NIGHT NURSE

1931 SPORTING BLOOD

1931 SUSAN LENNOX:HER FALL AND RISE

1931 POSSESSED

1931 HELL DIVERS

1932 POLLY OF THE CIRCUS

1932 RED DUST

1932 STRANGE INTERLUDE

1932 NO MAN OF HER OWN

1933 THE WHITE SISTER

1933 HOLD YOUR MAN

1933 NIGHT FLIGHT

1933 DANCING LADY

1934 IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT

1934 MEN IN WHITE

1934 MANHATTAN MELODRAMA

1934 CHAINED

1934 FORSAKING ALL OTHERS

1935 AFTER OFFICE HOURS

1935 CALL OF THE WILD

1935 CHINA SEAS

1935 MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY

1936 WIFE VS. SECRETARY

1936 SAN FRANCISCO

1936 CAIN AND MABEL

1936 LOVE ON THE RUN

1937 PARNELL

1937 SARATOGA

1938 TEST PILOT

1938 TOO HOT TO HANDLE

1939 IDIOT'S DELIGHT

1939 GONE WITH THE WIND

1940 STRANGE CARGO

1940 BOOMTOWN

1940 COMRADE X

1941 THEY MET IN BOMBAY

1941 HONKY TONK

1942 SOMEWHERE, I'LL FIND YOU

1945 ADVENTURE

1947 THE HUCKSTERS

1948 HOMECOMING

1948 COMMAND DECISION

1949 ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY

1950 KEY TO THE CITY

1950 TO PLEASE A LADY

1951 ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI

1951 CALLAWAY WENT THATAWAY

1952 LONE STAR

1953 NEVER LET ME GO

1953 MOGAMBO

1954 BETRAYED

1955 SOLDIER OF FORTUNE

1955 THE TALL MEN

1956 THE KING AND FOUR QUEENS

1957 BAND OF ANGELS

1958 RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP

1958 TEACHER'S PET

1959 BUT NOT FOR ME

1960 IT STARTED IN NAPLES

1961 THE MISFITS

I found myself hooked up into Hollywood famous Superstar signatures autograph and Clark Gable is one of them. He may be gone forever but his legacies and signatures will continue to live on forever.

Below are some of his famous signatures autograph:-





Taken from "The Written Word Autograph". Click Here

• The 6'1" Gable had dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He had a muscular build, and weighed about 190 pounds at the time of Gone With the Wind. He wore a 44-long suit. Later in life, his hair grayed, his face weathered, and he put on considerable weight (in his late 50s, he weighed 230 pounds). He chain smoked and liked whiskey. To get in shape for The Misfits, he went on a severe diet and dropped to 195 lbs.



• Gable had a reputation as an outdoorsman. At first, it was an image conceived by the MGM publicity department, but Gable found that he liked the lifestyle, and spent time in the outdoors whenever he could.



• The sixth track on the the Postal Service's debut album, Give Up is entitled "Clark Gable." The song includes the lyric "I kissed you in a style Clark Gable would have admired (I thought it classic)," paying homage to Mr. Gable's film career.



• His name was part of the inspiration for the name of Superman's alter ego, Clark Kent, the other half coming from Kent Taylor.



• Clark disliked Greta Garbo and the feeling was mutual. She thought he was a wooden actor while he considered her to be a snob.



• During production of "Saratoga", co-star Jean Harlow died of kidney failure. 90% completed, the remaining scenes were filmed with long shots or doubles. Gable would say that during the remaining 10%, he felt as if he were "in the arms of a ghost".



• In the British comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the knights of the round table mention that they enjoy impersonating Clark Gable.