This Month

During World War II, Americans turned to the silver screen for comfort. Audiences flocked in incredible numbers to cinemas, allowing themselves to forget their worries for a couple of hours. In 1936, an astronomical 80 million people per week went to a film in the U.S. Hollywood responded in force with a bevy of cheerful musicals and silly comedies. Many of its own were in the service themselves, including James Stewart, Robert Taylor, and Gene Kelly. So when "The King of Hollywood" was discharged after serving for almost two years (his release papers were signed by General Ronald Reagan), MGM geared up for his celluloid return.

Although MGM pushed hard to get a deferment, Gable went into the Army Air Corps in August of 1942, his chief motivation widely believed to be in honor of Carole Lombard, his wife of only three years, who died in a plane crash in January that year - she was on tour selling war bonds. The Gable that returned had aged from not only the personal tragedy, but also the devastation of war-although he saw very little action firsthand. The property lined up as his comeback vehicle was Adventure, a dramatic romance about a lustful seaman who ultimately finds love and stability with a librarian. It was only fitting that "The King" should have a queen; Greer Garson, at the pinnacle of her career, was cast as the female lead. In 1943, Garson won the Best Actress Oscar® for her role in Mrs. Miniver