IMDb > Mogambo (1953)
Mogambo
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 8 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   2,491 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 145% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Wilson Collison (play)
John Lee Mahin (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Mogambo on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 October 1953 (USA) more
Tagline:
Actually filmed by M-G-M on safari...amid authentic scenes of unrivalled savagery and awe-inspiring splendor! more
Plot:
Victor Marswell runs a big game trapping company in Kenya. Eloise Kelly is ditched there, and an immediate attraction happens between them... more | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
Rip Robert Quarry (1925-2009)
 (From Fangoria. 21 February 2009, 7:31 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Chick flick 1950s style. Silly, but with real Africa footage more (42 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Directed by
John Ford 
 
Writing credits
Wilson Collison (play)

John Lee Mahin (screenplay)

Produced by
Sam Zimbalist .... producer
 
Cinematography by
Robert Surtees 
Freddie Young  (as F.A. Young)
 
Film Editing by
Frank Clarke 
 
Art Direction by
Alfred Junge 
 
Makeup Department
Colin Garde .... makeup artist
Maude Onslow .... hairdresser (as Maud Onslow)
 
Production Management
Roy Parkinson .... unit manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Cecil F. Ford .... assistant director (as Cecil Ford)
Wingate Smith .... assistant director
John Pallatt .... assistant director: gorilla footage (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Amy Fisher .... sound recordist (as A.S. Fisher)
A.W. Watkins .... recording director
Hugh Strain .... sound assistant (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Tom Howard .... special effects
Bert Monk .... special effects (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Bunny Allen .... stunt double: Clark Gable (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Cecil R. Cooney .... camera operator (as Cecil Cooney)
Skeets Kelly .... camera operator (as Graham Kelly)
Freddie Cooper .... camera operator: gorilla footage (uncredited)
Stephen Dade .... additional photographer (uncredited)
Jackson Drury .... camera operator: gorilla footage (uncredited)
Kelvin Pike .... clapper loader (uncredited)
Jack Whitehead .... director of photography: gorilla footage (uncredited)
Doug Wolf .... camera operator: gorilla footage (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Helen Rose .... costumes
 
Other crew
Joan Bridge .... technicolor color consultant
Angela Martelli .... continuity
Bunny Allen .... technical advisor (uncredited)
Frank Allen .... researcher (uncredited)
Frank Allen .... technical advisor (uncredited)
Yakima Canutt .... director: gorilla footage (uncredited)
Eva Monley .... production coordinator (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies

Additional Details

Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Clark Gable was unimpressed by the script and was wary of reprising his Red Dust (1932) role after 21 years. He only agreed to make the movie after Across the Wide Missouri (1951) and Lone Star (1952) both flopped at the box office. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: A cheetah walks through Ava Gardener's tent late one night. Cheetahs are diurnal, hunting only during the day and sleeping at night. more
Quotes:
Eloise Y. 'Honey Bear' Kelly: This is no Sir Galahad who loves from afar. This is a two-legged boa constrictor. more
Movie Connections:
References Dumbo (1941) more
Soundtrack:
COMIN' THROUGH THE RYE more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Chick flick 1950s style. Silly, but with real Africa footage, 10 November 2005
4/10
Author: mravenwud from United States

Clark Gable plays a rough wildlife hunter, who captures wild animals for zoos and takes frivolous wealthy scientists on safari. The improbable story involves a lot of hand-wringing scenes with chatty, emotional women in immaculately pressed, cute outfits throughout hot, dusty, steamy Africa. The supporting cast is mostly dull and the plot...thin at best. The whole scene serves as a scaffold off of which the studio tries to hang a cat fight between two fabulous, yet totally dissimilar women, over the marginally sexy Clark Gable. Save yourself some time and grief: scan forward to the last half hour of the film and you'll see the best performances,figure out the whole story, and watch the rapid wind-up. Ava Gardner looks the quintessential 50's good-time girl. Grace Kelley works the nice-girls-need-love too angle with aplomb. The one thing that makes the film worth a look is the many scenes of Africa and the real tribesmen in their beautiful and interesting native clothes and adornments. African singing throughout. Warning: Politically incorrect conversations about taking baby gorillas away for profit. And holy smokes! For fun, Count the number of cigarettes doled out and in this film!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (42 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Mogambo (1953)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why did Kelly go back to Vic? wrathkins
Idiots in distress lusso250
Gable 'Gums' Grace Calcman
what was with Kelly and Gable? killingentelletilti
Who did he chose? Pearlwearingprincess
What is Mogambo? yernar
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Hatari! Darkest Africa Out of Africa Road to Zanzibar Tarzan
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.