Action Quote by Jeanine Basinger
“When Clark Gable, MGM's most popular and famous leading man asked for a percentage of the profits from his films, he was flatly refused. A top executive was reported to have said, He's nobody. We took him from nobody. We lavished him with lessons and publicity and now he's the most desired man in the world. Who taught him how to walk? We straightened his teeth and capped them into that smile. We taught this dumb cluck how to depict great emotions, and now he wants a piece of the action? Never!”
About This Quote
Source Book: Hollywood: The Oral History by Jeanine Basinger, 2014
Studio executives transformed a modest actor into a star through image crafting, showing power of branding over talent alone
In simple terms: Image crafting can outweigh raw talent
Key Takeaway
Leverage branding and mentorship
Themes
branding
power dynamics
celebrity
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
historical
insightful
When to use this quote
- career development
- public relations
- entertainment industry
- personal branding
Key Concepts
image management
media manipulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does branding shape public perception?
- When should talent be prioritized over image?
A Different Perspective
May overlook genuine skill and authenticity
![“I find suggestion a hell of a lot more provocative than explicit detail. You didn't see Clark[Gable] and Vivien[leigh] rolling around in bed in Gone With The Wind, but you saw that shit eating grin on her face the next morning and you knew damned well she'd gotten properly laid.” quote by Joan Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d95/joan-crawford-9168_clark-gable_i-find-suggestion-a-hell-of-a-lot-more-p_604564.jpg)
