Clark Gable Double Feature: The Hucksters (1947) and Any Number Can Play (1949)

 

Clark Gable had the great ability to make a character his own.  We can see this clearly in The Hucksters (1947).  Gable plays one of the original Mad Men, Victor Albee Norman, an advertising executive in charge of the multi-million dollar Beautee Soap account.  Norman, bold and decisive in every situation, makes Don Draper look like Little Lulu.  But love and friendship does at times bring out the man's tender side.

The Hucksters was based on a bestselling novel.

Here are screen captures from the film.  Deborah Kerr, in her American film debut, is absolutely lovely.  The film's cinematographer, Harold Rosson, was a longtime M-G-M employee.  His credits at the studio include Treasure Island (1934), The Wizard of Oz (1939), On the Town (1949) and Singin' in the Rain (1952).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gable persona is on full display again as the actor takes on the role of  a casino owner in Any Number Can Play (1949).  This film was also based on a bestselling novel.

Here are screen captures from the film.  Rosson was again the cinematographer on the film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout this film, Gable is surrounded by great actors: Alexis Smith, Frank Morgan, Mary Astor, Edgar Buchanan, Barry Sullivan, Marjorie Rambeau, Audrey Totter and Wendell Corey.