Classic movies are not just antiquated films from a bygone era...rather, they are beautiful, well-acted, well-written gems that ought not to fade into obscurity. Truly, Hollywood just doesn't make 'em like they used to!!! I hope you'll discover some must-sees by your visit here.
Soldier of Fortune, from 1955, is an action/adventure romantic drama starring Clark Gable and Susan Hayward. Directed by Edward Dmytryk, this film, which I recently caught for the first time, features Michael Rennie, Gene Barry, and Tom Tully in supporting roles.
With her photojournalist husband missing and presumed to be a prisoner of the Chinese, Jane Hoyt (Susan Hayward) has traveled to Hong Kong (under British rule at the time) to seek information as to his whereabouts. Without a visa, Lewis Hoyt (Gene Barry), had entered China three months earlier in order to do a story; although his camera equipment was found on a junk, the local authorities have no leads as to the man himself, but they do believe he is being held against his will in the Communist nation.
With little hope that the British agents can help her, Jane contacts American expatriate, Hank Lee (Clark Gable)---a smuggler with connections. Attracted to Jane, Hank expects certain "favors" in return for his assistance; however, Jane angrily refuses and attempts to track down information on her own. She's unsuccessful, though, and even finds herself tricked by unscrupulous locals, so in the end she has no choice but to turn to Hank once more. But will Hank---who wants the beautiful lady for himself and, therefore, has something to gain by her husband remaining in captivity---really put himself in danger to locate and free Lewis Hoyt? How it all plays out is the balance of the film.
Soldier of Fortune is a very solid, interesting, exciting film. While I totally love Gone with the Wind and adore Clark Gable in his Rhett Butler role, I also quite appreciate him in his older years. I think he aged well, and I love the gorgeous maturity which marks him at this point in his career/life. He plays his part here to perfection...he's cocky and masculine, yet altogether romantic as well. Susan Hayward---my #2 gal---is wonderful in her role---she's strong and determined, but with an element of softness and vulnerability. I thought the two of them were really terrific together. The supporting cast is good also, especially Tom Tully, who is a bit out of character from what I'm normally used to. The lovely Hong Kong backdrop quite added to the authenticity of the film.
This film is out on DVD, so it ought to be easy to track it down. Gable and/or Hayward fans will probably thoroughly enjoy it.
In honor of the Academy Awards, last night saw me having my own little Oscar party, which included a viewing of the adorable 1934 romantic comedy It Happened One Night. Starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, and directed by Frank Capra, It Happened One Night cleaned up at that year's Oscars, taking home the Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Writing awards. This delightful film is easily one of my five favorite films of both stars, and with it being Clark's birthday month as well as the Academy Awards, last night was the perfect time to enjoy this film again.
Socialite Ellie Andrews (Colbert) has made a marriage her father does not approve of and which he intends to have annulled. Accustomed to controlling Ellie's life, the wealthy Mr. Andrews has taken his daughter aboard his yacht, where he is trying to talk some sense into her. Ellie, though, will not back down, and before anyone can stop her, she has jumped overboard and made the short swim to the Miami shore, where she purchases a bus ticket to New York.
On the same New York-bound bus as Ellie is New York newspaper reporter, Peter Warne (Clark Gable), who has just been fired from his job. Vowing to prove to his employer just what a fine newspaperman he is, Peter intends to "wow" his editor with the story of all stories...although just what that is, Peter doesn't know yet.
The first meeting between Peter and Ellie is anything but pleasant, as Ellie takes the seat Peter had intended for himself. Although they bicker with one another for many miles, eventually things calm down between them; when the bus makes a rest stop and Peter obtains a newspaper, which has a headline story of the missing heiress, Ellie begs him not to get in touch with her father. Realizing he has come upon that story of all stories, Peter agrees to keep Ellie's secret and help her get to New York (and husband King Westley) in exchange for an exclusive. Ellie agrees, and the two of them, with little money in hand, continue to make their way north, trying, all the while, to evade the detectives who are now searching for the missing woman. Posing as a married couple, they take a room at a motor lodge one evening, a blanket strung across the room serving as "the walls of Jericho" between them.
The closer they get to their destination, the more things change between them, until finally, Ellie doesn't want to reach her husband at all. She would rather stay with Peter.
What are Peter's feelings, though? Is he interested in Ellie for more than a story? Or maybe he has his eye on the reward money her father has offered for information about Ellie's whereabouts? How it all plays out is the balance of the film.
It Happened One Night is a completely adorable, totally delightful film. Both Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert were wonderful in their roles, and the chemistry between them was fabulous. Really, they ought to have made more films together. (To my knowledge, they only made two...this one and Boom Town.) There are several very comical scenes, especially the one in which they are being questioned by some detectives. With Clark screaming "Quit bawlin'!" at her, Claudette is brushing her hair down over her face to avoid detection, all the while the police are looking on in confusion. I get a huge kick out of the very dashing Mr. Gable in that scene. Also hilarious is the hitch-hiking scene, as the know-it-all Mr. Warne demonstrates the different ways of flagging down a ride. In the end, his thumb isn't nearly as successful as the shapely leg of his companion.
This film is a joy from beginning to end, and I highly recommend it. Since it's out on DVD, it should be very easy to track down. Additionally, it is available in its entirely on YouTube.
Manhattan Melodrama, from 1934, is a crime drama starring Clark Gable, William Powell, and Myrna Loy. This film is one I've seen several times, and since it's one of my five favorite Clark Gable films, I decided a re-watch was in order during his birthday month. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Writing, ManhattanMelodrama also has the distinction of being my absolute favorite of the many Powell/Loy pairings. While I occasionally consider Evelyn Prentice my favorite of their films, after my most recent viewing of this one, I've changed my mind and swapped the two films around. (Actually, Manhattan Melodrama is more like 4.5 stars...very close to a "love it!")
Telling the story of two young boys---life-long friends---who grow up on opposing sides of the law, the film begins in 1904, when a pleasure cruise turns deadly. (To learn about the real-life tragedy upon which this scenario is based go HERE.) Among the many people who lose their lives in the tragedy are the parents of Jim Wade and the mother of Blackie Gallagher. Already good friends with one another, the two boys are rescued by a priest and then taken into the home of a man whose young son also perished in the fire. Although that man soon dies and Jim and Blackie no longer live together as brothers, they remain very dear friends; as the years go by and the boys grow to manhood, Jim (William Powell) becomes a lawyer and vows to fight corruption as a prosecutor,
while Blackie (Clark Gable) travels with a rough crowd and runs a gambling establishment.
Despite their differences, though, the two men remain very close.
As 1920 rolls around, Blackie is having problems with his girlfriend, Elinor (Myrna Loy). Though she loves him,
she hates the hoodlums, gambling houses, and graft which fill his life, and she urges him to leave it all behind, which, of course, Blackie has no intention of doing.
One evening, Blackie asks Elinor to meet up with his old friend Jim while he attends to some other business. Although he promises Elinor he will catch up with her and Jim as soon as possible, Blackie never joins them, leaving Jim and Elinor all to themselves. Having enjoyed Jim's company, Elinor realizes she does want the kind of life that Blackie will never give her and so breaks off with him; eventually, with Blackie's blessing, she and Jim get married.
As Prosecutor, Jim's job is to clean up the city, and he vows to do so even if it means fighting Blackie and his crowd; therefore, when Blackie is connected to a murder, Jim vows to convict him and see that he gets the death penalty. Elinor, though, still having a friend's fondness for Blackie and believing that he is innocent, insists that her husband go easy on him. Will Jim go easy on Blackie? Will the love and affection he has for his lifelong friend cause him to turn the other cheek as far as the law goes? Will the ultimatum Elinor has given him cause Jim to go back on his promise to fight corruption? All these questions play out in the remainder of the film.
(There is alot more to the story, of course, including another murder, a left-behind overcoat, and a possible governorship for Jim; however, I don't want to give away too much by revealing anything more.)
Manhattan Melodrama is an interesting, exciting film, and it makes a great discussion piece. At one point Myrna Loy's character says to William Powell's, "Do you realize what you are sacrificing for the sake of some principles?" What a great thought to ponder on...doing right even when it is a sacrifice to do so.
The casting of this film is excellent, as all three stars have great chemistry with one another. While I have long thought William Powell and Myrna Loy were totally fabulous together, I think both of them have amazing chemistry with Clark Gable in this film. The three of them, meshing together so perfectly, are definitely what make the film work. All of them give superb performances; however, for me, the standout performance is Gable's. I think it's one of his very best. Finally, this film has a few touching moments (for me), and I find myself lightly misty-eyed a few times. (As an aside...a very young Mickey Rooney portrays Blackie as a boy.)
This must-see film, which I highly recommend, is out on DVD (as part of the William Powell/Myrna Loy Collection), so it should be fairly easy to track down. I hope you get a chance to see it.
Teacher's Pet, from 1958, is a delightful romantic comedy starring Clark Gable, Doris Day, and Gig Young. Since I am loading up on Mr. Gable's films this month in honor of his birthday, a re-watch of this fun movie was an absolute essential.
News reporter Jim Gannon (Gable), who believes on-the-job-training is far superior to a college education, has been invited to give a guest lecture at an evening journalism class. Completely opposed to women teachers and journalism classes, Jim has no intention of doing such a lecture and, in response, fires off a condescending refusal to Professor Erica Stone (Doris Day). His supervisor, however, gives him no choice in the matter, so Jim heads off to Miss Stone's classroom, where he is mistakenly assumed to be a new student.
Much to Jim's amazement, the professor is young and pretty...not at all what he had been expecting, and when she reads aloud the letter from Jim Gannon and makes very clear her disdain for him---without knowing he is sitting in her classroom---Jim realizes he cannot tell her who he is. Taking on the name of Jim Gallagher and telling Professor Stone that he is in the paper business (wallpaper), he enrolls in the class; his writing skills so impress Miss Stone that she suggests he look into a full-time career in the journalism field.
By now interested in the pretty teacher, Jim---as Gannon, not Gallagher---tries to make amends for his boorish letter; Erica, however, still despising the rude newspaperman, refuses to take his calls, causing Jim to continue the charade. It is journalism student Jim Gallagher who Erica is beginning to fall for...Jim Gallagher who she is kissing. What will happen when she discovers that Jim Gallagher is really Jim Gannon---a man she despises (a bit of Pillow Talk in this scenario.)? What happens to Jim when his conscience begins to bother him and he wants to come clean with Erica about his real identity? And what about Dr. Hugo Pine (Gig Young) and his ongoing presence in Professor Stone's life?
Teacher's Pet is adorable and hilarious and, I think, perfectly cast. Clark Gable was one of those actors who was equally successful at both comedy and drama, and here near the tail end of his career, he is simply wonderful. His expressions are priceless---especially during the scene in which his flighty "girlfriend," Peggy, is singing in the nightclub.
Doris Day is her usual sweet, winsome self. She was "typical Doris" so many times...not the least of which was when Clark kissed her in her office. Her squeal of "Mr. Gallagher!" reminded me so much of how she responded to Rock Hudson's characters in their three films together.
Speaking of Rock Hudson, Doris and he had simply amazing chemistry; however, her chemistry with Clark Gable here in Teacher's Pet was equally wonderful. I thought the two of them were completely charming together. I've seen reviews of this film in which people maintain Gable was too old for this role (he was 57). I'm not on that page at all. Doris was 36 here, and I definitely don't think a 21-year age span is too great. I thought they were both perfectly cast, that they played well off each other, and that they made a delightful couple.
Gig Young was great in his role as well; in fact, he received a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination for his work here. He is especially funny in the scene where he is nursing a hangover.
All in all, Teacher's Pet is a wonderfully enjoyable, entertaining movie, which I highly recommend. The film is out on DVD, so I would imagine it would be pretty easy to track down.
Band of Angels, from 1957, is a Civil War-era romantic drama starring Clark Gable and Yvonne DeCarlo. Based on the Robert Penn Warren novel of the same name, this Raoul Walsh-directed film features Sidney Poitier and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. in supporting roles. Having never seen this film before, I decided it was the perfect addition to my Clark Gable birthday month celebration. Given that it is based on the work of a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, has a Civil War setting, stars Clark Gable, and boasts a fantastic director and a Max Steiner score, I had high hopes that Band of Angels might come close to the caliber of Gone with the Wind. Alas, no...not even close. While I found it to be an interesting, entertaining film, it didn't do for me what Gone with the Wind does. I came away from the film only liking it...not loving it; hence, 3 stars.
Not knowing her mother was a slave, Amantha Starr (Yvonne DeCarlo) grows to adulthood believing that she is the privileged daughter of a plantation owner. Upon her father's untimely death, however, Amantha is shocked to discover that not only is her father's estate completely in debt, but also that she---the daughter of a slave---is considered a slave herself and, therefore, part of the estate's personal property. As such, she is taken against her will and shipped to New Orleans, where she is to be put on the auction block.
Though another man begins to "inspect" her, local plantation owner, Hamish Bond (Clark Gable) starts the bidding at $5,000, and with the opening bid that high, no one else bids on Amantha. After being told by Amantha that he might buy her, but will never own her, Hamish takes her to his home, where, instead of housing her with the other slaves, she is given a beautiful room in the main house. Thinking that there are strings attached to this treatment, Amantha tells Hamish she would rather go to the slave quarters than to be expected to be his woman.
Hamish, who has his own personal demons from which he's running, keeps his distance and never pushes himself on Amantha. One night during a storm, however, they do get together.
After their night together, Amantha's feelings toward Hamish change. So, too, do his feelings toward her, and he gives her her freedom. By then, loving Hamish, Amantha no longer wants to be free of him. However, when Hamish comes clean and tells her of his slave trader days, Amantha's love for him is put to the test. All this happens just as war is about to break out.
As I said, this film had great potential; however, for some reason which I cannot quite put my finger on, it fell short of my expectations. I'm not sure why---probably because I was expecting it to be in the same league as Gone with the Wind, and quite honestly, there aren't many films which can compare with that masterpiece. Gable's and DeCarlo's characters were likeable, and I found myself caring about them. The musical score was beautiful...the storyline was interesting and historically accurate in many ways. Clark, handsome and dashing as always, was extremely good in his role, and Miss DeCarlo was lovely and quite believable. With all these positive things going for it, I ought to have loved Band of Angels, but for some reason, I found myself only liking it.
Those who are Clark Gable, Yvonne DeCarlo, Sidney Poitier, or Civil War enthusiasts will probably enjoy seeing this film. It's definitely entertaining and interesting...just don't expect it to measure up to Gone with theWind. The film is out on DVD, so it ought to be fairly easy to track down.
Homecoming, from 1948, is a wartime romantic drama starring Clark Gable and Lana Turner in the third of their four pairings. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, this touching film features Anne Baxter and John Hodiak in supporting roles. With yesterday being Clark Gable's birthday and next week being Lana's, I thought a rewatch of this movie was in order.
The story, which is mostly told in flashback, begins in 1945, as Clark Gable's character (Col. Ulysses "Lee" Johnson), an Army surgeon, is returning home after the war. Prompted by a reporter's question, Col. Johnson reflects on the man he was in 1941 and the man he is now.
Prior to U.S. involvement in the war, successful surgeon Lee Johnson and his wife, Penny (Anne Baxter), live a rather selfish, high-society life. Concerned with things like parties, golfing, and dancing, Lee doesn't have much time for his friend, Bob (John Hodiak), a doctor who works with the less fortunate in the poor section of town. Though Bob longs for Lee's financial and practical help, Lee simply isn't cut from the same cloth Bob is. He sees his patients as cases, not human beings, so to work with patients who cannot further his career or enlarge his bank account matters little to him. Lee's attitude angers Bob, causing the two men to argue bitterly.
After Pearl Harbor, Lee enlists in the Army and is sent to Europe, where he will serve as a field surgeon. While enroute to his assignment, he has an uncomfortable meeting with an Army nurse---one Lt. Jane "Snapshot" McCall (Lana Turner). Arrogant, and with a seeming disdain for women's opinions about political matters, Lee succeeds in irritating the widowed nurse. Snapshot can't stand, and has no use for, the pompous doctor, even nicknaming him "Useless." As it turns out, though, the two of them will have to stop butting heads, for Snapshot is assigned to be Lee's nurse.
The workload is intense, and they find themselves sometimes in the surgical unit for 16 hours straight. Eventually, Lee begins to change, even apologizing for things he has said and done. He begins to care about people...even comes to see the error of his ways with regard to the poor people back home. As Lee changes from a self-centered man into a caring one, he and Snapshot find themselves falling in love.
Since Lee is married, however, and there can be no future for them, they vow to fight their feelings. Penny, meanwhile, on the homefront, sees the change in Lee through his letters and fears she is losing him. How it all plays out is the balance of this very lovely film.
Of the four Gable/Turner pairings (Honky Tonk, Somewhere I'll Find You, and Betrayed are the others), Homecoming is definitely my favorite; not only is it my favorite of their pairings, but it's one of my five favorite Clark Gable films and one of my five favorite Lana Turner films. I think it's a beautiful movie---the transformation of Clark Gable's character from selfish to caring, from arrogant to humble, is a joy to watch. The chemistry between him and Lana is wonderful---they really were great together. While this film is not a sobber, it is most definitely a heart-tugger--one that gets me lightly misty-eyed several times and brings on quite a volume of tears a couple other times.
The film, which I think is a must-see, is out on DVD, so it ought to be fairly easy to track down. I do hope you get a chance to see it. Happy viewing!!
Today is the 111th birthday of one of my top 20-favorite actors and one of the most iconic actors ever...the legendary Clark Gable. (February 1, 1901-November 16, 1960)
This dashing Academy Award-winning actor could do it all and was as capable with drama as he was with comedy and adventure; his three decade career found him paired with a lovely assortment of leading ladies---Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, and Lana Turner to name a few. He seemed to have great chemistry with all of them...at least from the films I've seen.
My all-time favorite Clark Gable film is the brilliant masterpiece, Gone with the Wind. One of the most fabulous films ever made, that epic is easily near the top on my all-time favorite movie list. Truly, I find GWTW to be an absolutely sensational film, and I positively adore Gable's Rhett Butler. While Butler is somewhat of a rogue, there is something completely charming about him as well. Actually, Rhett, in my mind, is exactly the same kind of man I imagine Gable himself to be...a bit of a scoundrel, but one whom you love and can't help rooting for. (Just have to say that it astounds me that Mr. Gable did not receive the Best Actor Award for his work in GWTW...he was beyond brilliant in his role.)
Rounding out my list of five favorite Clark Gable films are:
2. It Happened One Night (the film for which he won the Best Actor Academy Award, with Claudette Colbert---reviewed HERE)
3. Manhattan Melodrama (with William Powell and Myrna Loy---reviewed HERE)
4. Homecoming (with Lana Turner and Anne Baxter---reviewed HERE)
5. Never Let Me Go (with Gene Tierney)
For me, Clark Gable is a man on the move; the more of his works I've seen, the more I like him. Therefore, in recent weeks, he has been moving up on my favorite actor list. I would not be at all surprised if he makes it close to my top 10 at some point in the near future.
So, Mr. Clark Gable, here's to you on your 111th birthday. You were an amazing actor, and the way you portrayed Rhett Butler has made him an unforgettable character to me. I can never hear his name without your name and face coming to mind. Thanks for making not only Gone with the Wind but so many other wonderful movies!!
Forsaking All Others, from 1934, is a romantic comedy/drama starring Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and Robert Montgomery. It was one of the films TCM recently aired on Joan Crawford's day during Summer Under the Stars, and since I had been wanting to see it, I made sure to set my DVR that day.
The film begins on the eve of Mary Clay's (Joan Crawford) wedding day. Having been in love with Dillon "Dill" Todd (Robert Montgomery) since childhood, Mary is thrilled to finally be marrying him. Her joy is complete when another dear childhood friend, Jeff Williams (Clark Gable), returns from a trip to Spain just in time for the wedding. What Mary doesn't realize is that while she has been in love with Dill all those years, Jeff has been in love with her. His arrival at her house was to ask her to marry him, not to congratulate her on her upcoming marriage to Dill. In fact, Jeff wasn't even aware of her upcoming marriage. Jeff never has an opportunity to declare his love for Mary, as before he has the chance to do so, he learns of Mary's next-day wedding to Dill. Though disappointed, Jeff puts on a brave face and tries to be happy for her.
On the eve of the wedding, Dill's old flame, Connie, shows up at his door. After having a few drinks together, they decide to run off and get married, and Dill informs Mary of this in a telegram just hours before their planned wedding. Jeff is there to help Mary pick up the pieces, though he never reveals his love for her. Not long after marrying Connie, Dill regrets that action and seeks to reconcile with Mary, putting Mary in the position of having to determine which man will make her happy.
All three stars give a good performance here in Forsaking All Others, making for a very solid 3-star film. The movie is out on DVD, plus it's available on You Tube. Additionally, TCM has it on their November schedule. So there are plenty of ways you can enjoy this cute film.
_NRFPT_03.jpg)
_NRFPT_02.jpg)
