Clark Gable Collection DVD Credits:

Region: 1

Clark Gable Collection DVD Release Date: 12th June 2006

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Clark Gable Collection DVD Review:

Clark Gable may be known for his large ears and for his performance in Gone with the Wind, but there is far more to his filmography than that. This collection may not be filled with his best known roles, but it is a nice variety of roles from the classic actor. There is a John Ford film, a number of comedies, and even a musical. All six of the films have reasons to belong, showing Gable in all of his natural charm even in his later years.

Boom Town (1940)
The plot seems to keep going in circles in this epic film about a love triangle that separates two close friends and business partners trying to get rich finding oil. Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy trade off losing and winning back their wealth while arguing about the same girl for years. That girl is Claudette Colbert, but Hedy Lamarr comes in to mix things up even more. Boom Town is a great deal of fun, even though it seems that poverty and absolute wealth are the only two options in this picture. This DVD includes a vintage short and a classic cartoon, each loosely connected to the film.

China Seas (1935)
Clark Gable is the captain of a doomed ship on a trip between Hong Kong and Singapore. They are carrying precious cargo so there are many onboard looking to help out the pirates for a cut of the loot. To make things much worse than the pirates, Gable also has the attentions of the refined Rosalind Russell and the fiery Jean Harlow. It’s a fun picture even though it doesn’t really seem to go anywhere. The DVD includes two vintage shorts.

Dancing Lady (1933)
This backstage musical was supposed to rival 42nd Street, but instead it is rarely seen. It stars Joan Crawford as an ambitious dancer trying to make it to the top. She finds her chance in a famous dance director, played by Gable himself. The most important moment in the film comes when Fred Astaire makes his film debut as himself. There’s also a cameo by the Three Stooges. It’s a fun film but also somewhat forgettable. The DVD also has two vintage musical shorts and a theatrical trailer for the film.

Mogambo (1953)
This African John Ford film is actually a remake of Red Dust, which was remade one other time before Mogambo. It plays out similar to a Hemingway novel as safari guide Victor Marswell (Gable) becomes involved with two women on safari. Ava Gardner plays a tough woman who stumbles into Victor’s life, and immediately afterward Grace Kelly lights the screen as an anthropologist’s wife who falls in love with Victor as well. The ending may be too cheerful for most who would appreciate the rest of the film, but it is still one of the best in the collection. The DVD also comes with a theatrical trailer.

San Francisco (1936)
The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 is the climax of this film which is otherwise about a romance between an opera singer and a sleazy club owner. Gable has another role in which he is a slick sinner saved by a beautiful woman. Spencer Tracy has a great supporting role as a preacher friend of Gable. There are some great musical numbers, but others seem to drag. Switching between an opera house and a saloon helps for a variety of music, but the best scenes come from Gable and Tracy. This DVD seems to be the one with the most special features, with a documentary about Gable and an alternate ending for the film. There are also two vintage shorts and a cartoon.

Wife Versus Secretary (1936)
This film is probably the most unique in the package. It is filled with a simple misunderstanding and manages to make it interesting for nearly the entire film. Also it is nice to see Gable in a role where his only romantic scenes are with his screen wife. Jean Harlow stars as Gable’s secretary and James Stewart is her fiancé. It is sort of a love triangle, but the end result is simply done. The DVD also has two vintage shorts.

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Clark Gable Collection DVD review written by: Ryan Izay