The
CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, on the 1st and 15th of the
month. Today we're featuring Meredith from DearMrGable.com.
Every great movie star deserves a website –
especially a legend like the great Clark Gable.
Meredith of DearMrGable.com has created the
ultimate online tribute to Gable, one that includes his filmography and brief
reviews of every film he ever made, along with a listing of his radio
show appearances, a photo gallery and biographical information.
Meredith also tackles the gossip that surrounded
Gable’s career and personal life, even the rumors about his marriage to Carole
Lombard.
“Other than his role in GWTW,” says Meredith, “the most popular subject when it comes to
Clark Gable is his relationship with Carole Lombard. Tired of hearing people
repeat unsupported rumors, I wrote a piece about their relationship a few years
ago that has since become the number one hit on my site.”
CMBA: What sparked your interest in classic film?
DearMrGable.com: I'm one
of those people who like to say I was born in the wrong era. As a child in the
1980's I liked Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty more than The Little Mermaid. When I was a preteen,
I watched Nick at Nite endlessly – The Dick
Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, The Donna Reed Show, Mister Ed.
My grandparents used to show me 1950's musicals that they rented from the
library. I've always been drawn to the past.
CMBA: What makes a film a "classic" in
your opinion?
DearMrGable.com: Not everything
that is "old" is classic. A classic to me is a film that embodies its
decade, that has a great script with a great cast and just plunks you down into
their era.
CMBA: What classic film(s) do you recommend to
people who say they hate old movies?
DearMrGable.com: Since my
blog is focused on Clark Gable, I'll stick to his films. Everyone should see Gone with the Wind, absolutely without
question. I know plenty of people who don't like classic films in general but
appreciate GWTW. The film I always point
people to after GWTW is It Happened One Night. You don't have to
love classic film to appreciate the fantastic script and undeniable chemistry
between Gable and Colbert. Both of those films are absolute musts.
CMBA: Why should people care about classic film?
DearMrGable.com: In this
day and age of sequels and re-dos, it's refreshing to go back and experience
what Hollywood was like as it was just beginning. Those days of glamour and
glitz are gone and, while I'm not one of those people that says everything
Hollywood releases nowadays is junk, it's nice to go back and look at stars who
didn't Instagram what they had for breakfast every morning.
CMBA: What is the most rewarding thing about
blogging?
DearMrGable.com: The
people I meet! I receive fascinating emails from people all over the world,
some of which I've met in person. It's nice to know there are passionate fans
like me out there. Also, my blog has taken me on research trips to Ohio
and Los Angeles, where I've really felt connected to Clark Gable as a person.
There's something about following in someone's footsteps that makes that person
more real to you.
CMBA: What challenges do you face with your blog,
and how do you overcome them?
DearMrGable.com: When I
started my blog in 2009, I bought a book on coding and literally coded the
entire website from scratch. I was very happy to move over to WordPress later!
I also have a photo gallery and a Facebook page in addition to trying to
research material for the blog, and at times it can be overwhelming, but at the
end of the day it's a hobby that I truly enjoy.
CMBA: What advice would you give to a new blogger?
DearMrGable.com: You
definitely have to have a passion for your subject – whatever that may be. It'd
be hard to keep churning out new information if you don't have that motivation.
It will be difficult to continue year after year.
Thank you for joining us, Meredith! You can visit DearMrGable.com
by clicking HERE.
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