MovieChat Forums > Diamond Head (1962) Discussion > Heston or Gable?

Heston or Gable?

posted 13 years ago by hobnob53
13 replies | jump to latest

It's well known that when this picture was in development, Columbia intended to cast Clark Gable in the role of King. Gable was in fact reading the script in bed when he suffered a heart attack on Nov. 5, 1960, eleven days before his fatal one on Nov. 16. When Heston was eventually cast, the character played by Yvette Mimieux was changed from King's daughter to his sister, to accommodate a younger leading man, but otherwise, the story was substantially the same.

Noting that difference, my question is, who was better for the role -- Heston or Gable? Obviously, since Heston actually played the part and we know what his performance was like, whereas we can never know how Gable would have come off, it's easiest to fall back on Heston. But I think Gable, even past 60, would have been a better, certainly more interesting, choice. He had a much broader range and was a livelier, more inventive performer than Heston, who was a very good actor but too stoic in his demeanor and predictable in his acting. Gable would have made the role more compelling and even sympathetic. And, of course, playing a character called "King" would have been suitable for the man called "The King".

To be clear, I'm a big fan of Heston as well as Gable, and I think he did a good job in this film. But I believe that Gable would have brought that certain something he had as a performer, that force of personality and insoucient charm, that Heston (and others) lacked, and would have made both the role and the film all the more involving. We can never know, of course, but for my money, Gable would have done a lot more with this part and for this movie.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

Also, there was a slight incestuous tone between Heston and Yvette that would probably not have been there between her and Gable. Of course such an undertone could be present in either scenario, but a brother jealous and angry over who his sister is seeing is somehow creepier than a father looking out for his daughter. I don't think anyone would have thought of this aspect of the film if Gable had starred in it.

This movie wasn't released until 1963, so if Gable had lived to make it he almost certainly would have made others between The Misfits and this one. I wonder what other films Gable might have appeared in in this period, and, for that matter, afterward.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

The Gable-Wayne partnership sounds intriguing. The only film of Wayne's from the early 60s that looks like it might have co-starred these two is Donovan's Reef (1963), bit I'm not so sure about that. (Of course, any film could have been changed in concept after Gable's death.) I thought of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance but I can't see the James Stewart role fitting Gable, whereas he could have filled the Lee Marvin role in Reef. Or perhaps this film never ended up getting made, or wound up starring other people altogether.

Gable would have been great in Home From the Hill. Robert Mitchum was very good as always but a bit too young for the part. I never heard of the proposed re-teaming of Gable and Tracy in Two Weeks in Another Town, but I really can't see either man in that film. Kirk Douglas was the right age in 1962 (46, vs. Gable's 61, had he lived), and while Tracy was younger than Edward G. Robinson (62 vs. 69), he looked much frailer and older and was less dynamic than Robinson by that time. I can't see that movie working with Tracy and Gable, who was almost as old as Tracy, which would not at all have worked for the character.

Billing is an interesting question. Gable always commanded top billing (even an egoist like Burt Lancaster gave Gable top billing in Run Silent, Run Deep, and Lancaster also produced that film), and he was so highly thought of Wayne might have yielded top spot just for the prestige of working with him. But this is one reason why I'm sure neither Gable nor Tracy would have co-starred in Two Weeks. Tracy was absolutely adament about receiving top billing and would never have given it up. (He and Humphrey Bogart were close friends and both wanted to co-star in The Desperate Hours in 1955, even rehearsing scenes together. But neither would yield top billing to the other, so Tracy eventually dropped out and the less persnickety Fredric March came in.) I suspect this might have scuttled the two men's being cast in TWIAT in the first place.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] pitcairn89 12 years ago

Hi, hobnob. Long time, no chat! This is quite an interesting thread, and is a revelation to me. I had no idea Gable had been considered for this part. Or that this film's script was the one he was reading when he had his heart attack. I watched the film on YouTube a couple of days ago, and the thought of Gable in the Heston part is quite intriguing. I agree with you that he would have done a terrific job, and brought something of his own to the part. Heston is very good, but he is in the Chuck Heston movie mode-- the somewhat harsh and aloof manner, the cold stares, etc. I'm a pretty big Heston fan, but he did tend to carry this persona from film to film. Gable did have more range, I think, and was good in so many different types of films-- comedies, adventures, dramas, etc. And he had a sense of humor about himself, and that twinkle in his eye. I don't think Heston had that same charm or humor, and no doubt their interpretations of this part would have been very different. As you say, you do have to wonder, somewhat wistfully, what other parts Gable might have played, had he lived longer. Considering his birth year-- 1901-- he might have worked on into the '80s. Imagine him working with some of the stars and directors from those later decades! I have the same thoughts about Bogart, Power, Flynn, Cooper, Harlow, and Lombard. All of those stars would have enlivened many films over the years.

The thought of Gable co-starring with John Wayne is an entertaining one. I think they might have been pretty great together. I read somewhere that Jack Warner, at one point, wanted to team up his resident action star, Errol Flynn, with Wayne-- that would have been an interesting teaming, as well. Perhaps somewhat like the Wayne- Randolph Scott films, such as THE SPOILERS. And L.B. Mayer made noises about co-starring Gable and Flynn in some kind of adventure story-- another interesting idea. Gable and Wayne-- that would have been some movie.

I've been trying to catch as many Hawaii- themed movies as I can, on Youtube, as I'm moving to Oahu in a few weeks-- too many earthquakes in Japan for me. So far, I've been able to see DIAMOND HEAD, HAWAII, THE HAWAIIANS, and a cool, relatively- unknown 1954 Noir called HELL'S HALF ACRE (one of the imdb. reviewers tagged it as a "Hawaiian Noir," a sub-genre most of us were probably not aware of!). Over the years, I've seen many of the other films set in the islands-- FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, of course, the 1931 Charlie Chan THE BLACK CAMEL, some musicals set in backlot-Hollywood/Hawaii, like WAIKIKI WEDDING, and quite a few others. I did notice, in DIAMOND HEAD, that most of the action takes place on one of the other islands, with just a few scenes set on Oahu--thus making the title a little pointless, except for the fact that most people would know that Diamond Head is in Hawaii. I'm sure that the title was good box office. It's interesting that a few years later, Heston returned to the islands, in a somewhat similar part, in THE HAWAIIANS. I guess if you're going to go on location, there aren't many places nicer than Hawaii.

Send me a PM sometime-- I'd love to catch up!

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

pitcairn! Great to hear from you! So, you're trading the earthquakes of Japan for the tidal waves in Hawaii generated by the earthquakes of Japan? Good thinking. I'll send you a PM in a few days.

Meantime, if you're looking for Hawaiian-based films, and per your mention of John Wayne, have you seen Big Jim McLain (1952)? It stars the Duke as a two-fisted HUAC investigator battling Commies in Hawaii, and all filmed on location. Co-stars Jim Arness, Nancy Olsen and Alan "Alfred the butler in the TV show 'Batman'" Napier as the head Red. Utterly dopey and dishonest, but lots of fun to watch. It should have been shot in color, to take advantage of the gorgeous scenery, but it does give you a good look at the Aloha Territory of 60 (!) years ago.

Of course, one Hawaii-based movie you have to see before leaving is Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970). If you play it loudly you'll favorably impress your neighbors, since it was their last victory in WWII, and maybe get a nice going-away party from them. Some other Hawaiian-themed films (whether shot there or not) include Honolulu (1939); not one but two Elvis flicks, Blue Hawaii (1961) and Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966); the disastrous final Irwin Allen disaster film When Time Ran Out (1980); and the Wayne-Kirk Douglas war film In Harm's Way (1965), shot mostly across the state. There are certainly others, including films made in Hawaii but taking place elsewhere (South Pacific, Donovan's Reef), and of course many war films that have just a tiny portion in Hawaii (Wake Island, Operation Pacific, Run Silent Run Deep), but this is getting too far off track.

But as to more recent films, have you seen The Descendants? It's very good, and shows the Hawaii of today, which is not as exotic as the Hawaii of yesterday, but there you are.

As to Diamond Head, I agree with your take on Gable's characteristics vs. Heston's. I like Heston, but he was a bit cold and solemn, too humorless, in the part, and in many of his other films. Gable would have brought more range and humor to the role. I think he was a better actor than Heston and would have come up with a more interesting characterization than Heston did.

Anyway, glad to hear you're coming back home, albeit the western edge of it. Take it easy, and I'll PM you anon.

[–] pitcairn89 12 years ago

Thanks for the great reply! And for the list of other Hawaiian-based films. How could I forget "Tora! Tora! Tora!" I have seen that film, and I think it's the best Pearl Harbor movie to date. Less said about the Michael Bay version the better. I saw the Elvis films some years ago, and will watch them again, at some point. I do remember that I thought "Blue Hawaii" was pretty enjoyable. It may have been fluff, but it was fun fluff, and a good time capsule of early-sixties Hawaii. And you do get to hear Elvis sing that great title song. On a side note, I believe Elvis is held in pretty high regard in the islands, as he performed there a number of times, and reportedly loved the place. I think Colonel Parker kept him from performing abroad, and Hawaii was about as exotic as he was allowed to get at the time. I seem to recall that Elvis was also a big contributor to fundraising for the construction of the "Arizona" memorial in the '60s, and helped to publicize that. Jack Lord is another star who is still quite popular there. He embraced the islands when he lived there during the filming of "Hawaii Five-O," and I've met people there who knew him, and were very fond of him. Anyways...

I've also seen "Honolulu," which I'm sure was Hollywood Hawaii, but it is a good musical, and it contains some incredible dance numbers with Eleanor Powell. The number in the nightclub is just phenomenal. You really wonder how any human was capable of the incredible moves she had. I'd forgotten about "Big Jim McLain." I remember seeing it as a kid, and being slightly aware of the baddies being Commies-- though not being really sure what a Commie was. At the time, it was really just an adventure film to me. It would be interesting to see it today.

You're right about all the films, and TV shows, which use some part of the islands as a stand-in for some other part of the Pacific, or just as a generic South Pacific locale (ironic, since Hawaii is actually in the Northern Pacific-- but it does look similar to many other places in the Pacific region). I think "Lost" was filmed on one of the islands, and Maui and Kauai in particular seem to be used for many productions.

Believe it or not, "Tora! Tora! Tora! is shown on TV here in Japan fairly often. As is "The Bridge on the River Kwai." Most folks here now just see them as films about some historical, even "ancient" events, and I've never heard of any strong reactions against the films being broadcast. Seems hard to figure, but perhaps similar to "Gone With The Wind," in those respects. Films about a lost war, and, in GWTW's case, Reconstruction and survival.

I'll try to catch up with the other films you mention. I've heard that "The Descendants" is pretty good, and I'll make a point to see it. I think I read a review that quotes something George Clooney says in the film, to the effect that, contrary to what people might think, folks living in Hawaii have problems, too. I'm not sure if I have that quite right, as I haven't seen the film, but if that's the gist of it, I think it's a great line. It is true, as so many people think of Hawaii as paradise (which it is, in many ways), but people there also have to pay the rent, get up early for work, raise their kids, etc. Anyway, thanks again for the list!

Take care,

Pitcairn (another interesting island-- must have been some seafarers in the family tree).

[–] hobnob53 12 years ago

What's the time difference between Tokyo and New York? It's going on 2 AM Tuesday here for me, but it must be early Tuesday evening for you. Of course, if you're far enough ahead maybe you can tell me who won the presidential election.

I was planning to come back here to add another Hawaii film, the 1987 Black Widow. It was actually on cable shortly after I posted my reply to you. Most of that film was shot in the islands. Nice scenery, obvious story, great nude swimming scene with Theresa Russell.

Tora!-3 made most of its money in Japan, where they were only too happy to see a movie about their big win at Pearl Harbor. I hear that the recent Blu-ray of the film also has the Japanese release, which is longer than the American. I'm not into Blu-ray unless I have to, but it might be worth getting to see that version.

I'm on my island now too. Not quite Pitcairn; at least, we have a lower rate of intermarriage. But then, per this thread, Gable does have something in common with Pitcairn, no?

Well, with that remark I'm off to bed. Back to you soon. Really good to hear from you again!

[–] mortycausa 11 years ago

Heston is really good in this movie. He has enormous screen presence, and he's at the very apex of that distinctive quality to his looks. He strides like a King. Gable is wussy compared to Heston. Plus, Gable looked really older than he was. In his last few years, he looked awful. Heston gives you value in every scene he's in.

[–] hobnob53 11 years ago

I agree that Gable looked bad in his later years, though oddly he looked his best in The Misfits, the part that probably killed him.

But you have to remember that the role here would have been entirely different with Gable than it turned out to be with Heston. Gable would have been playing an older man, Yvette Mimieux's father, not her brother. That factor alone makes any comparison a sort of apples-and-oranges thing.

Still, I see your points. I just think Gable would have brought more nuance, depth and even humor to his character, created a livelier performance. Heston, to me, was just too stoic and one-note to be all that interesting in the part -- though I think the idea of Yvette being the sister of King instead of his daughter works better, with its undertones of incest.

But I strongly disagree with calling Gable "wussy", even if it's only in comparison to Heston. If you're making a direct comparison, remember the 22-year age difference between the two. If you're comparing Gable at 39 with Heston at that age, all I can say is that Clark Gable was never, ever, not even remotely, a "wuss". Maybe not the athlete Heston was, and Chuck took better physical care of himself than did Gable, but then they grew up in different eras and under different circumstances. And Gable had let himself go, physically, after the death of his wife, Carole Lombard, in 1942, a tragedy he never got over and which cost him his zest for living. Heston never had an equivalent emotionally devastating loss to deal with.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (49761343) 9 years ago

Gable would've added a certain charm to the role, and it would've been a nice callback to Gone with the Wind, as the themes were similar (someone who had it all losing everything in the end because of selfishness and inability to love anyone).

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[–] hobnob53 9 years ago

Interesting comparison, except of course in GWTW it's the female lead, Scarlett (Viven Leigh), who experiences that loss, not the male lead Rhett (Gable); whereas in Diamond Head it's the male lead, King (Heston but might have been Gable) who suffers such a loss.