Clark Gable

Object Details

Artist

Unidentified Artist

Sitter

Clark Gable, 1 Feb 1901 - 16 Nov 1960

Exhibition Label

Born Cadiz, Ohio

U.S. Treasury Department posters often featured prominent faces to promote war bond drives. In 1942, devastated by the death of his wife, actor Carole Lombard, in a plane crash, film star Clark Gable joined the U.S. Army Air Forces. Attached to a heavy bombardment group and assigned to procure footage for recruitment films, Gable flew on numerous bombing missions. His tolerance for risk was so high that some equated his actions with a death wish. Having earned a Distinguished Flying Cross and other honors, Gable and his crew were sent home after six months. Their extensive combat footage resulted in four short films and one major feature, Combat America, which was used for trainings and also shown in clubs and factories during World War II. Although Gable was determined to do more than entertain, he understood the value of using his fame to support the war effort at home.

Nacido en Cadiz, Ohio

Los carteles del Departamento del Tesoro de EE. UU. presentaban rostros famosos para promover la campaña de los bonos de guerra. En 1942, devastado por la muerte de su esposa, la actriz Carole Lombard, en un accidente de avión, la estrella de cine Clark Gable se unió a las Fuerzas Aéreas del Ejército de EE. UU. Con el encargo de procurar rodaje para las películas de reclutamiento, Gable participó de numerosas misiones de bombardeo aéreo. Su tolerancia al riesgo era tan alta que se le atribuían deseos suicidas. Habiendo obtenido la Cruz de Vuelo Distinguido y otros honores, Gable y su tripulación fueron enviados a casa después de seis meses. El amplio rodaje de combate que obtuvo resultó en cuatro cortometrajes y un documental principal, Estados Unidos combate, que se utilizaron en los entrenamientos y se proyectaron en clubes y fábricas durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Aunque no solo quería entretener, Gable comprendía el valor de utilizar su fama para apoyar el esfuerzo de guerra en su país.

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Beverly Jones Cox, former National Portrait Gallery employee

1944

Object number

S/NPG.2003.64

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Print

Medium

Color photolithographic poster with halftone

Dimensions

Sheet: 81.6 x 61cm (32 1/8 x 24")

Board: 86.4 x 66cm (34 x 26")

A to G Depth: 7/8"

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Location

Currently not on view

Title

Combat America

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Mustache

Equipment\Goggles

Poster

Poster\Political

Clark Gable: Male

Clark Gable: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Theater\Stage actor

Clark Gable: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Film\Movie actor

Clark Gable: Performing arts awards\Academy Award

Portrait

Record ID

npg_S_NPG.2003.64

Metadata Usage (text)

Not determined

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4e4afabc5-e9e8-4805-ae8f-79e1d219ab82