Mogambo 1953

     This film is a remake of the film Red Dust of 1932 starring Clark Gable, Mary Astor and Jean Harlow with the setting of French Indochina.  For this film, Victor Marswell is running a big game trapping company in Kenya.  Eloise Kelly arrives at Victor’s compound and she’s looking for the Prince.  He’s already left and Eloise has missed seeing him.  Later, Mr. and Mrs. Nordley arrive for a gorilla-documenting safari.  Mrs. Nordley begins to fancy Victor but Eloise is also interested in him. 

     I didn’t like the filmed treatment of the animals, I didn’t like the  trapping and the killing?  I don’t know if they were actually treated well because I couldn’t find information online?  I Supposedly, the trapped animals are sold to zoos?  There is a LOT of stalking going on between Gable, Kelly and Gardner.  I wasn’t as concerned about their treatment!!  3* (This movie is OK)

116 min, Adventure directed by John Ford with Clark Gable, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, Donald Sinden, Philip Stainton, Eric Pohlmann, Laurence Naismithe, Denis O’Dea, Samburu, Wagenia, Bahaya, M’Beti.

Note: Imdb 6.7 out of 10, 82% critic 55% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 131 reviews, TCM Leonard Maltin 3.5* out of 4* user reviews 3.1* out of 5*, Three Movie Buffs 3* out of 4*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Kenya, Tanzania, Republic Of Congo, Uganda and Hertfordshire, England, UK.  Red Dust was filmed on MGM’s back lot but Mogambo was filmed on location.  The director, John Ford didn’t get along with Clark Gable.  Also, Ford was making disparaging remarks about Gardner and Gable didn’t appreciate this behavior.  Gardner was pregnant at the start of filming.  She started to suffer greatly from the oppressive heat.  She took a break in England and she was hospitalized.  Originally, Gene Tierney was cast in the role acted by Grace Kelly.  Grace Kelly received a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, the film was chosen for the National Board of Review Top Ten Films.