*Includes pictures of important people, places, and events.
*Includes Gable's quotes about his own life and working with other Hollywood stars.
*Includes a bibliography for further reading.
“The only reason they come to see me is that I know that life is great — and they know I know it.“ – Clark Gable
The 1930s were, without a doubt, the height of the classical Hollywood era. It is no accident that 1939 has
historically been designated as the pinnacle of Hollywood film history. The era was known for its lavish studio
productions, with MGM, RKO, Warner Brothers, Para, and 20th Century Fox all operating at the height of their
powers. Every major studio possessed a long roster of contract players, with films released at such a rapid pace that it
made for an especially competitive environment within the industry. Even while America remained in the throes of the
Great Depression, the film industry continued to flourish, and movies easily suped the theater as the main
attraction for American entertainment. Indeed, it would be no exaggeration to cl that the film industry reached its
zenith during the decade precisely because it offered an affordable (if very temporary) escape from the anxieties of the
economic woes of the era.
The 1930s were also a time in which Hollywood boasted an unprecedented array of famous leading men. Gary Cooper, Cary
Grant, James Stewart, and Fred Astaire were just a handful of the A-list stars of the decade, and it is in this context
that the achievements of Clark Gable are particularly remarkable. Best known for his role in Gone with the Wind (1939),
Gable reached the ranks of the Hollywood elite well before the end of the decade through acting in films such as It
Happened One Night (1934) and Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). Gable had a unique appeal that captivated Depression-era
audiences; while Cary Grant offered a sophisticated charm and Fred Astaire was tied to the musical genre, Gable brought
an air of sophistication that was less comical than that of Grant and appealed to both genders, unlike Astaire. At a
time when so many Americans were financially destitute, Gable managed to appear classy without coming across as
snobbish. At the same time, his virile masculinity was not overly macho or misogynist. For these reasons, Gable was able
to captivate male and female viewers alike, and his mass appeal was a driving force behind the commercial success of
Gone With the Wind, possibly the most beloved Hollywood film ever made. As iconic director John Huston once stated,
“Clark Gable was the only real he-man I've ever known, of all the actors I've met.”
Even if Gable is perhaps less widely-known than Grant or Astaire among 21st century audiences, examining the effect he
had on viewers during the 1930s and 1940s allows a better understanding of Hollywood during its Golden Age. In
conjunction with that, his career served as a sort of response to his upbringing and cultural background. In fact, there
was a significant gap between his glamorous roles on the movie screen and the real-life adversity he faced from an early
age. Gable faced great challenges throughout his entire career, from the death of his biological mother to the death of
wife Carol Lombard in 1942. As with any famous actor, he was the recipient of great fortune, yet it is important to
recognize that his many rtunities did not preclude him from experiencing great pain and tragedy.
American Legends: The Life of Clark Gable examines the life and career of one of Hollywood’s most iconic leading men.
Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Clark Gable like never before, in no
time at all.