Trivia / Mogambo

• Awesome, Dear Boy/Vacation, Dear Boy:
  • Grace Kelly's reasons for doing the film were John Ford, Clark Gable and a free trip to Africa.
  • Ford had never seen Red Dust, but he liked the script for this version and was intrigued by the opportunity to shoot on location in Africa.
• Career Resurrection: This gave Clark Gable a resurgence after a string of flops.
• Dyeing for Your Art:
  • Donald Sinden (and all male members of the crew who removed their shirts) had to shave any hair from their chests daily, as Clark Gable (who did not have a hairy chest) thought it an affront to his 'manliness'.
  • To guarantee that his cast have believable tans, John Ford ordered them all to spend two weeks in the sun. That proved to be too long, and the crew had to use makeup to lighten their skin.
• Enforced Method Acting: While Ava Gardner was shooting a scene with a baby elephant, the creature pushed her into a mud pool. She screamed for help, but John Ford motioned the crew to keep quiet and keep on filming.
• Fake Brit: Philadelphia native Grace Kelly as the English Linda Nordley.
• Friendship on the Set: Grace Kelly and Ava Gardner became lifelong friends during filming.
• Hostility on the Set: Clark Gable did not get along with John Ford during filming, and at one point walked off the set in protest at Ford's treatment of Ava Gardner. Ford also made several remarks about Gable's age and weathered appearance. Gable vowed to never work with Ford ever again.
• Romance on the Set: Clark Gable and Grace Kelly began an affair on the set that lasted for several months. After filming had ended, they resumed the affair while Kelly was filming The Country Girl.
• What Could Have Been:
  • Deborah Kerr and Lana Turner were sought for the female leads.
  • Gene Tierney was first choice for Linda. She dropped out due to emotional problems which were now interfering with her work.
  • Maureen O'Hara was the first choice for Honey Bear Kelly, but MGM needed Ava Gardner in a movie and made John Ford cast Gardner instead, which was one of the reasons for his vicious treatment towards Gardner while filming. Lauren Bacall was also considered.

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