Elizabeth's Clark Gable Page 2

Clark was a happy man. He had incredible success with "Gone With the Wind" and beautiful wife whom he adored. His first film after "GWTW" was "Comrade X" with Hedy Lamarr. Also that year was one of my mom's favorite movies: "Boom Town". Gable played "Big" John McMasters, who falls in love with his best friend's ("Square" John Sands's) girl, Betsy Bartlett. So Betsy has to choose between "Big" John and "Square" John, played by Spencer Tracy. So who do you think she chooses? You'll have to see the movie to find out. This movie not only paired Clark with his buddy Tracy, but also former co-stars Claudette Colbert (Betsy) and Hedy Lamarr (Karen Van Meer).

In 1942, Gable was in just one movie: "Somewhere I'll Find You". That's because on January 16th, 1942, his life changed forever. The love of his life, Carole Lombard, died in a plane crash. Clark was devestated. He became a recluse, and wanted his life to be over. He drank heavily and shut himself out of the world for a year. His next big movie wasn't until 1945; it was called, "Adventure".

In the late 1940's and 1950's, Gable made some romantic comedies and some adventures. His next really big movie wasn't until 1953's "Mogambo", co-starring Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly. This was a remake of "Red Dust". If this sounds familiar, it's because Clark was its star, opposite Jean Harlow...remember? =)

In 1955, Gable starred as Ben Allison in the western "The Tall Men". The film co-stars Jane Russell and Robert Ryan. Gable's final film was made in 1960, but released in 1961. It was "The Misfits", co-starring Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift, and Thelma Ritter. Rumor has it that because Marilyn was late to the set all the time, Clark did his own stunts. This wasn't good on his 59 year old heart. Also, Gable shed a lot of weight in a short amount of time for the part of Gay Langland. After shooting was finished, Gable proudly said how he thought this was his best acting ever.

A few weeks after finishing "The Misfits", on November 16th, 1960, Clark Gable died of a heart attack. America had lost a legend. But his friends said that Gable really died on January 16th back in 1942, when his beloved wife Carole Lombard died. His wife at the time of his death, Kay, decided that it would be best if Clark was buried next to Carole at Forest Lawn Cemetary in California. I think she made the right choice.

Links to other sites on the Web

Elizabeth's Grace Kelly Page
Elizabeth's Spencer Tracy Page
Elizabeth's Montgomery Clift Page
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Author's Note

E-mail me at endofroad2@aol.com

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