Tags
1950's, Adventure, Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Donald Sinden, Grace Kelly, John Ford, Mogambo, Romance
The effervescent Virginie asked me to join her blogathon on classic star Grace Kelly. With Kelly being an iconic movie star and a real life princess, how could I ever refuse? To honour the beauty and splendour of Grace Kelly, I decided to review the romantic adventure Mogambo.
Film Title
Mogambo
Director
John Ford
Starring
- Clark Gable as Victor Marswell
- Ava Gardner as Eloise ‘Honey Bear’ Kelly
- Grace Kelly as Linda Nordley
- Donald Sinden as Donald Nordley
A gorgeously photographed romance/adventure, Mogambo provides good entertainment and classic Hollywood stars to be dazzled by . And while it isn’t major league work from John Ford, its star quality and passion is still very much exciting to view.
Victor Marswell is a rugged, experienced big game hunter and safari businessman whose life is going smoothly in the wilds of Kenya. With his business booming, he can’t really ask for more. Events however take a turn with the arrival of Eloise ‘Honey Bear’ Kelly; a gorgeously outspoken and free-spirited showgirl who has been stood up by a suitor. Having to occupy the same space with Marswell until the next boat back to her planned journey, the two sparring individuals begin a sensual relationship. But Marswell is more concerned with his business and cools the relationship, much to Kelly’s consternation. Yet Kelly’s journey back is halted and run aground, meaning she has to return to Marswell. Around this time, anthropologist Donald Nordley and his posh wife Linda arrive, with wanting to observe the gorillas of the region for study. The prim Linda, who is all about manners and decorum, begins to take a liking to Marswell, seeing as her husband is more concerned with his studies. This of course arouses jealousy from Kelly, who takes it upon herself to stir things up for all involved. While Donald remains oblivious to his wife’s obvious attraction to the uncouth Marswell, a love triangle falls into place.The competition is on as both Kelly and Linda angle for the affections of Marswell amid the wild landscape.
John Ford takes us on safari with his gift for using visuals and settings to capture the attention and contribute beauty. Ford has often done this in his classic Westerns and here is no different. Mogambo may not be a masterpiece, but there’s no denying the sumptuous visual direction of the great John Ford and his keen way of making locations come to life. Animals and wide, vast sights are glimpsed in nearly every frame of this torrid take, accentuated by alive cinematography and luscious colour. Mogambo is very much a melodrama and one of feverish emotions as wild as the surroundings. This approach is well utilised for the torrid feelings that attempt to be kept under wraps, but spill over with delicious passion and fruitful events. Only later on foes the drama get a little too overwrought for its own good, thankfully the stars and scenery can make up for those cracks. Mogambo is also a very saucy movie, Granted, the sexual sizzle is mainly confined to innuendo given the time period the movie was in, Mogambo still steams things up in its own naughty way. It’s the verbal sparring of the three that brings fire and vibrancy to a sometimes sleepy film; one-liners and veiled seduction are checked off the list and explored frequently against picturesque backdrops.
The stars are the thing and you couldn’t have asked for three more glamorous people than Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly. Clark Gable, now in the later years of his career, still has the charm and panache to pull of his part. He is world-weary but immensely jaunty, especially in that grin that he employs. He wasn’t known as the King of Hollywood for no reason. The ravishing Ava Gardner is relaxed and appropriately sassy, cracking one liners with ease and wit. Her devilish appeal and devastating good looks are matched by her subtle shading of the character who is tough, sexy and unexpected. Gardner is suitably fetching and confident in her acting; obviously relishing the sizzling role given to her. Grace Kelly rounds out the central trio and at the point of major stardom, beautifully plays the repressed Linda who is not quite as innocent or lily-white as we first see her. Kelley has the right amount of ice and fire for the part( which would later lend itself well to roles in Hitchcock movies) and looks simply gorgeous throughout. Starting off prim and almost childlike, her desire emerges and her reserve thaws to show a passionate woman. It’s a nice part for Grace Kelly that compliments the work of Gable and Gardner. Donald Sinden is not given a whole lot to do, besides remain largely ignorant of what is transpiring around him.
So while overlong as a movie and often sometimes plodding, Mogambo is redeemed by the great cast and passionate approach. A glamorous adventure that is simple in story, but pretty excellent in execution with the best in the business being and in front of the camera.
beetleypete said:
A great cast, but not a film I ever cared for, to be honest. I never took to those ‘Safari’ films. You summed it up well though.
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Yes, it wasn’t a full on masterpiece. But with Ford at the helm and that lovely cast, it’s very watchable.
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maddylovesherclassicfilms said:
I love this film. Grace is good in the film, but I have to say Ava Gardner steals the film from everyone else in it.
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vinnieh said:
Grace is porcelain primness and buried desire personified here. Ava really has a fun time with her sassy attitude. I very much enjoyed the scenes of her and Grace vying for Gable’s attention.
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alexraphael said:
I love this about your blog. Never know what to expect. A new film, a classic, a personal announcement, a funky list, group discussion etc
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vinnieh said:
Well this just might win the award for nicest comment. Thank you Alex. I’m always up for trying out different things, no point in sticking to just one.
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alexraphael said:
You’re like a blog brother. We have roulette wheel jukebox style blogs.
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vinnieh said:
A blog brother, hey that’s pretty ace. I like the jukebox style idea.
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alexraphael said:
My latest two posts have been on chocolate. Us funky bloggers have to embrace it ha
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vinnieh said:
Mmm, chocolate.
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dbmoviesblog said:
A great choice to honour Grace Kelly. She is here seemingly secondary to the two already established stars, but gorgeous nevertheless. After all those TV series and, of course, High Noon, what a breakthrough.
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vinnieh said:
She rounds out the main actors beautifully. Her pristine innocence is offset by the confidence and outgoing sex appeal of Ava Gardner.
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fragglerocking said:
Never seen this, and probably never will, but great to read your review V-man, I’ve missed them.
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vinnieh said:
I’m back in full force now. Nothing’s gonna stop me!
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Liam said:
Interesting review! I’ve never heard of this to be honest. It doesn’t look like it would appeal to me but you’ve made some cool points.
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vinnieh said:
It’s no work of perfection, but the Old School glamour is very much there. And of course the location of Africa lends itself beautifully to the film.
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Madame Vintage said:
A wonderful review here Vinnieh. Though it is one my eyes have yet to view, the photos you have selected do capture the beauty of the locations very well as do your review of it. My favourite Grace Kelly moments have eloquently been remembered in To Catch a Theif, Rear Window and Dial M for Murder which I have always treasured.
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vinnieh said:
I like to give an insight into the movie, both through writing and pictures. I think they compliment the other seamlessly. Grace Kelly was a gorgeous lady and had a lot of talent, a true star.
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Paul S said:
I love Mogambo, for its stunning scenery, formidable acting and a sultry but simultaneously amusing love triangle. Hollywood beauties come and go and they don’t come much more beautiful than Ava Gardner. Still, I’d say that Grace Kelly was the Queen (or should I say princess) of celluloid beauty.
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vinnieh said:
This was a sultry movie, especially in the verbal sparring. Just a look and you knew what the characters were hinting at. Ava Gardner was a simply beautiful lady who radiated a real energy. Grace Kelly was another iconic stunner who had a pale and classy beauty.
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Virginie Pronovost said:
Awesome article! I agree with everything you said. Mogambo is not the BEST film Grace Kelly made but it’s worthy for many reasons. I have to say that it’s personally my favourite Ava Gardner’s performance. She and Grace gives well contrasted performances. No wonder both were nominated for an Oscar! Grace accepted to make this film only if it was shot on real African locations and not in Arizona. And she was right because, otherwise, the film wouldn’t have had the same visual impact.
Thanks so much for this amazing contribution to my blogathon! 😀
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vinnieh said:
It’s not the best of her movies, but has many virtues. The sublime African scenery is breathtaking, as shot by the iconic John Ford. Of course Grace Kelly is wonderful, playing the repression and passion of her part gorgeously. Gable is a delight, as is Ava Gardner as the real showstopper. I like her confidence and cheeky energy, she’s sizzling me vibrant.
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vinnieh said:
You know after seeing how interesting blogathons can be, I might have to do one of my own in the future.
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Virginie Pronovost said:
You should!
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vinnieh said:
I’m most definitely considering it.
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Pingback: The Third Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon is here! – The Wonderful World of Cinema
raistlin0903 said:
It’s always so cool to see your love for classic films. It really shines through again in this beautiful review. I haven’t seen this one myself, as I once said classic films are pretty hard to come by here. But it was a great read, and I definitely believe it’s a wonderful movie. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😊
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vinnieh said:
I find my passion comes out when reviewing Old Hollywood. There’s something special about movies from the era that is unmistakable. Do you know what I mean?
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raistlin0903 said:
Yes I definitely know what you mean. It’s like that old saying: they just don’t make them like they used too 😀 And I guess that is really true 😊
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vinnieh said:
It’s so true.
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Elizabeth said:
I so remember Grace Kelly marrying the Monaco king, having her lovely children and then dying in that auto accident. She was the celebrity queen of my young years. A much classier act than Kim Kardashian!
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vinnieh said:
Kim Kardashian couldn’t touch Grace with a ten foot pole.
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thestoryenthusiast said:
This is not a film I particularly enjoy, but your review made it so appealing, that I just may have to re-watch it.
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vinnieh said:
It warms my heart to hear you say that.
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keepsmealive said:
I came to give thumbs-up for this movie and your excellent write-up, and I’m staying for the tribute to Grace Kelly, heck yes!
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vinnieh said:
You’re a cool dude and great friend. Love your support.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I love Grace Kelly, but I’ve never heard of this. Nice review though.😊
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vinnieh said:
It’s a movie that is far from flawless, but the main cast and African scenery are exemplary.
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
Looks like a great casts, but not a film for me. You have a Fantastic Review though Vinnie!!!!😉
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vinnieh said:
Appreciate you reading, even though the movie doesn’t appeal to you.
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
No problem Vinnie! I really like the cast! You know different strokes for different folks!😉
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vinnieh said:
I love that saying.
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
Me too! Whatever chokes your chicken or tickles your pickle!😉
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