Joan Crawford and Clark Gable were a frequent screen couple, appearing together in seven films, most of them in the mid-1930s.
In 1931, MGM cast Crawford in five films, three of which teamed her opposite Clark Gable, the studio’s biggest male star, soon to be nicknamed “the King.”
Dance, Fools, Dance, released in February 1931, was the first pairing of Crawford and Gable.
Their second movie, Laughing Sinners, released in May 1931, was directed by Harry Beaumont, and co-starred Neil Hamilton.
Their third film, Possessed, released in October, was directed by Clarence Brown.
These films were immensely popular with audiences and were generally well received by critics, stapling Crawford’s position as one of MGM’s top female stars of the decade. along with Norma Shearer, Garbo, and Harlow.
Crawford’s other notable film of 1931, This Modern Age, was released in August and, despite unfavorable reviews, was a moderate success.
She was again teamed with Clark Gable, along with Franchot Tone (future husband) and Fred Astaire in the hit Dancing Lady (1933), in which she received top billing.
Crawford next played the title role in Sadie McKee (1934), opposite Tone and Gene Raymond.
She was paired with Gable for the fifth time in Chained (1934), and for the sixth time in Forsaking All Others (1934).
In 1940, she played against type in the role of Julie in Strange Cargo, her eighth—and final—film with Gable.
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