Clark Gable makes self-confidence attractive because he can temper it with humour and tenderness. We value the ease he brings to a romance, even when the writing makes falling in love seem like hard work.
Fi1m perspective
Gable looks comfortable amid the extravagance of Gone with the Wind (1939). As Rhett Butler, he gives Vivien Leigh's Scarlett a partner with enough force to answer her, so their exchanges need not depend on Leigh alone. He can hold his own without seeming to strain, which helps when the writing does. We were relieved by his ease with Leigh, which made the romance persuasive when the writing threatened to wear us down.
His early-1930s rise at MGM came through tough-guy parts, but It Happened One Night (1934) made room for his comic gifts. The sly timing and unforced charm are worth remembering alongside Rhett's presence. His romantic leads combine toughness with humour and tenderness, so there is something to respond to beyond the pleasure of watching a man take charge. There is enough warmth in that familiar manner to make room for another actor, something his work with Leigh makes particularly clear.
Even with Gable opposite Leigh, Gone with the Wind drags. Sidney Howard's screenplay is so attentive to Scarlett that the people around her can seem to be waiting for her next bout of unhappiness. Gable gives the central romance weight, but he cannot stop the second half dwelling too long on her troubles. We can enjoy him and still wish that the film asked less of our patience.
His later films were less consistently rewarding, though John Ford's Mogambo (1953) offered an adventure lead. The Misfits (1961), his final performance, opposite Marilyn Monroe, allowed more vulnerability beneath the rugged manner. It is worth seeking out when that familiar toughness has begun to seem like all he does. Start with It Happened One Night for the comic timing; save Gone with the Wind for an evening when a good performance matters more than a brisk pace.
Biography
William Clark Gable (1 February 1901 – 16 November 1960) was an American actor. Born in Cadiz, Ohio, he began his career in stock theatre companies and appeared on Broadway before making his film debut in the early 1930s.
Gable won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in It Happened One Night (1934) and received further nominations for Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) and Gone with the Wind (1939), in which he played Rhett Butler opposite Vivien Leigh. He appeared in numerous other films including Mogambo (1953), Run Silent, Run Deep (1958) and The Misfits (1961).
He was frequently paired with actresses such as Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow, and was often ranked among the top male stars at the box office during the 1930s.
