Mogambo

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Mogambo
Original movie poster
Directed by	John Ford
Produced by	Sam Zimbalist
Written by	Wilson Collison John Lee Mahin
Starring	Clark Gable Ava Gardner Grace Kelly Donald Sinden
Cinematography	Robert Surtees Freddie Young
Distributed by	MGM
Release date(s)	October 9, 1953
Running time	115 min.
Language	English
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

Mogambo ("Passion" in Swahili) is a 1953 film directed by John Ford, featuring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly. The film was adapted by John Lee Mahin from the play by Wilson Collison.

Grace Kelly won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress (1954), and the film was nominated for two Oscars, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Ava Gardner), and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Grace Kelly). The film was also nominated for a BAFTA Film Award (Best Film from any Source USA).

Mogambo is a lavish remake of the classic film Red Dust (1932). The earlier movie also featured Clark Gable in the lead role.

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Eloise Y. 'Honey Bear' Kelly (Gardner) arrives at a remote African outpost, looking for a rich maharajah acquaintance, only to find him already gone. While waiting for the next boat out, she toys with hardworking big game hunter Victor Marswell (Gable), who (initially) has no respect for her type. Marswell takes Donald Nordley (Donald Sinden) and his wife Linda (Kelly) on safari to film a documentary on gorillas, with Kelly tagging along. Both women are attracted to Marswell, and the scene is set for fireworks between the two rivals.

[edit] Trivia

Grace Kelly was not the first choice, Gene Tierney dropped out due to emotional problems.
The movie was filmed on location in Okalataka, French Congo; Mount Kenya and Thika, Kenya; Kagera River, Tanganyika; Isoila, Uganda; and at the MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK.
The music is all performed by local native tribes (except for Gardner accompanied by player piano), unusual for Hollywood.
"Mogambo" is also the name of the character played by Amrish Puri in the Bollywood film Mr India.
The Spanish censorship wanted to hide the issue of adultery, and changed the dubbing to make the Nordleys brother and sister. As a result, it appeared as an even more scandalous case of incest.