- Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#36). (1995)
- Adolf Hitler esteemed the film star above all other actors, and during the war offered a sizable reward to anyone who could capture and return Gable unscathed to him.
- Gable's first two wives -- Josephine Dillon and Ria Langham -- were 14 and 17 years older than he was.
- He disliked Greta Garbo, a feeling that was mutual. She thought his acting was wooden while he considered her a snob.
- In the '70s his Encino, California estate was subdivided and turned into a very upscale tract development called Clark Gable Estates.
- When Gable was first cast in 1934's IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT opposite Claudette Colbert, he told director Frank Capra that he would give the role a shot, but if things weren't going well after a few days, he would leave the production.
- When he took off his shirt in IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934) -- revealing bare skin beneath rather than an undershirt -- sales of undershirts reportedly showed a significant drop.
- At the Miami bus station, friends of Peter Warne (Clark Gable) refer to him as the King - Gable's nickname in real life. (IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT )
- Bored while waiting for Monroe to turn up on the set in THE MISFITS (1961), Gable opted to do his own stunts, which included being dragged by a truck travelling at 30 mph.
- He also starred in the 1953 remake of RED DUST (1932), MOGAMBO (1953).
- He appears on camera, in uniform, addressing the audience in the final scene of the picture.( WINGS UP (1943))
- He had to shave off his trademark mustache for MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935) for historical accuracy. Mustaches were not allowed in the British Navy during the time the story takes place.
- He was so distressed over the requirement that he cry on film (during the scene where Melanie is comforting Rhett after Scarlett's miscarriage) that he almost quit. Olivia de Havilland convinced him to stay on the film.
- He, who was on contract with MGM, was loaned to Columbia for the movie IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934) as a punishment for his cantankerous attitude and refusal to accept several MGM scripts.
- IDIOT'S DELIGHT (1939) was the only film in which Clark Gable performed a dance number. He spent 6 weeks rehearsing the steps with the dance director, George King, and practicing at home with his wife, Carole Lombard. Because of his fear of messing it up during a take, the set was closed during the filming of this sequence.
- In the scene of GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) where Rhett pours Mammy a drink after the birth of Bonnie, for a joke during a take, Clark Gable actually poured alcohol instead of the usual tea into the decanter without Hattie McDaniel knowing it until she took a swig.
- Vivian Leigh worked for 125 days and received about $25,000. Gable worked for 71 days and received over $120,000 for filming GONE WITH THE WIND.
- On the last day of filming, Gable said Christ, I'm glad this picture's finished. She [Monroe] damn near gave me a heart attack. The next day, Gable suffered a massive heart attack; he died 11 days later.
- STRANGE INTERLUDE (1932) was the first film in which his trademark mustache appeared.
- The scene in IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT in which he removes his shirt is credited as the number one cause for not only the decrease in undershirt sales for the following two years, but the implementation of product placements in movies to come.
- Vivien Leigh reportedly did not like kissing him because she said that he had excessively bad breath.
- BROADWAY MELODY OF1938 (1937): The song Dear Mr. Gable was a birthday present for Clark Gable's 36th birthday. Composer and arranger Roger Edens adapted the old song You Made Me Love You by James V. Monaco. It was sung at Gable's birthday party by a young Judy Garland. Producer Louis B Mayer. was so impressed by it, that he gave order to let Garland sing it again in the next great musical MGM was going to produce.
- Loretta Young announced her retirement after filming THE CALL OF THE WILD (1935) and went to Paris, returning to the United States in 1937 with a 23-month-old baby she claimed to have adopted. However, many contend the baby was Clark Gable's from a love affair they had while on location for this movie.
- He had an officer's commission of Major in the Army Air Corps during WWII.
- Was nominated for Best Actor Oscar for MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY in 1936 and for GONE IN THE WIND 1940
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for TEACHER'S PET (1959)
Quotes- "I worked like a son of a bitch to learn a few tricks and I fight like a steer to avoid getting stuck with parts I can't play."
- "The only reason they come to see me is that I know that life is great -- and they know I know it."
Awards- Golden Boot Awards: Centennial Award (2001)
- Academy Awards: Best Actor, IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
|