Adventure (1945)

Dark, romantic, complicated drama about a rowdy merchant mariner and sophisticated librarian who clash over their lifestyles and values - and then fall in love.

Director:

Victor Fleming

Writers:

Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, Clyde Brion Davis (novel)

Stars:

Clark Gable, Greer Garson, Joan Blondell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Clark Gable	...	Harry Patterson
Greer Garson	...	Emily Sears
Joan Blondell	...	Helen Melohn
Thomas Mitchell	...	Mudgin
Tom Tully	...	Gus
John Qualen	...	Model T
Richard Haydn	...	Limo
Lina Romay	...	Maria
Philip Merivale	...	Old Ramon Estado
Harry Davenport	...	Dr. Ashlon
Tito Renaldo	...	Young Ramon Estado
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stanley Andrews	...	Bit Part (unconfirmed)
Florence Auer	...	Landlady (unconfirmed)
Pedro de Cordoba	...	Felipe (unconfirmed)
Rex Ingram	...	Preacher (unconfirmed)

Storyline

A rowdy, womanizing merchant marine, leader of an eccentric crew of misfits and drunks, is almost killed by a Japanese torpedo strike. The brush with death seems to make him even more reckless. In San Francisco, he clashes with a sophisticated, cold librarian, but hangs around because of his attraction to her much livelier, flirty roommate. Yet the seaman and the librarian can't quit challenging each other, almost to the point of a physical altercation. Following their most angry, almost violent argument, the two come together as lovers, running off to Reno for a quick, unlikely marriage. But almost immediately after, their differences in values and philosophy come to a head. The mismatched relationship seems doomed - and, possibly, to end in profound tragedy.

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Taglines:

Gable's back and Garson's got him!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Big Shore Leave

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Feature film debut of Barbara Billingsley - best known for her role as June Cleaver in the television series "Leave It to Beaver" and as the Jive Lady in Airplane! (1980).

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Goofs

When the Buckley's drive away from Emily's house in the country, a clear reflection of the boom microphone can be seen on the right rear passenger window and other areas of the highly-polished car as it drives off.

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Quotes

Harry Patterson: Yeah, yeah! You got that library look! You're screwy!

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Connections

Featured in Clark Gable: Tall, Dark and Handsome (1996)

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Soundtracks

Down in the Valley
(a.k.a. "Birmingham Jail")(uncredited)

User Reviews

The King Reclaiming His Crown

In his first film after World War II service in the Army Air Corps, Clark Gable settled down to a familiar character and one of his most familiar directors. Adventure was the last of five films that Gable did with Victor Fleming which also includes Gone With The Wind. This one never quite measured up to Gone With The Wind though.

Gable was literally met at the airport by Louis B. Mayer and rushed into this film. It was thought at the time that a film with current box office sensation Greer Garson was a can't miss item at the box office. Garson was coming off an Oscar she received in 1942 for Mrs. Miniver the year Gable went away to war.

The results were underwhelming, but seen over 60 years after it was first out show Adventure to be not a bad story at all. Gable fits comfortably into the part of the tough boatswain who loves the rollicking life at sea he leads. No woman is going to be tying him down, not one like prim and proper librarian Greer Garson. He likes them like her roommate Joan Blondell, sassy and out for a good time.

But Greer and her notions of settling down with home and family kind of get under his skin. It's what's led many a man to the altar.

Gable and Garson never worked together again, probably by mutual consent. Neither were each other's types on the screen and in life, but no one has anything to be ashamed of in Adventure.

Best performance in the cast is by Thomas Mitchell as Gable's friend and confidante. Mitchell plays the usual tragicomic alcoholic that he took a patent out on for the screen.

Another in the cast and former vocalist with the Xavier Cugat Orchestra is Lina Romay who is the woman we first see Gable with as the film opens. She would shortly be joining the Bing Crosby show as the featured female singer. That 'dame' who gets $20.00 for some conversation is none other than Barbara Billingsley aka June Cleaver. Who'd have thunk that one?

Though this one didn't set the world on fire, Gable's next two films, Homecoming and The Hucksters rank in my humble opinion as two of his very best. The King was ascending his throne again.