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Hitler’s Strange Obsession With Kidnapping Hollywood Legend Clark Gable
The evil leader of Germany took extraordinary lengths to bring one of the most famous actors in the world to Germany against his will
Actor Clark Gable remains one of the biggest movie stars to ever live, even now more than 50 years after his death. The suave and impossibly good looking thespian captured the admiration of many, including Germany’s despotic chancellor, Adolph Hitler. So enraptured was the evil leader by the Hollywood legend that he actively sought to have him kidnapped and delivered to him in Germany during World War II.
During his illustrious career, Gable became an iconic cinematic figure, appearing in such notable films as It Happened One Night, The Misfits and Gone With the Wind. His piercing eyes and roguish mustache made him instantly recognizable and popular with many, especially the ladies. Interestingly, one of his biggest fans was Hitler, who enjoyed watching privately screened films at home, especially those starring Gable.
Hoping to have an even more realistic cinematic experience, Hitler offered a $5,000 reward at the start of World War II for the capture of Gable and bringing him to Germany unharmed. However, this dynamic changed once the actor left his private life and joined the United States Army.
In January, 1942, Gable’s wife Carole Lombard was killed in a plane crash returning from performing as part of a war bonds tour. It was a devastating loss for the actor, who began drinking heavily and displaying erratic emotions. Despite being in his early 40s, he wrote to U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and asked to be part of the war effort. Although FDR suggested it was best for him to remain Stateside and be a comfort to those at home, Gable felt that was something he couldn’t do.
In August, 1942, Gable officially joined the Army Air Corps as a gunner. Despite doing the requisite training and receiving a post as a second lieutenant, his greatest value to the military, at least initially, was his fame. He was sent to Britain to assist in the production of a propaganda film for the Air Force called Combat America.
