After the tragic sudden death of Carole Lombard, Clark Gable had said, "You'll have to get them to change the title. I couldn't walk on a set with those words before me." It was to be changed to "Red Light," but ultimately reverted to "Somewhere I'll Find You."
Lana Turner was originally fired from the role after marrying Artie Shaw against the wishes of studio head Louis B. Mayer. Esther Williams successfully screen-tested with Clark Gable and was to be Turner's replacement. However, Turner and Mayer made up and Turner was given back the part.
Three days into the shoot, 1/16/1942, filming was halted due to the death of Clark Gable's wife, Carole Lombard. She had traveled to her native Indiana with her mother on a war bond tour, was killed in a plane crash returning to California. Gable was devastated, unable to work or even see people.
After several years of a secretive affair, Gable and the great love of his life, Carole Lombard, had been married in March 1939. They were one of Hollywood's most popular couples (although they only appeared on screen together once, in "No Man of Her Own",1932), and from all reports greatly devoted to each other and their life away from the Hollywood glamour scene.
The studio was prepared to scrap the picture completely, but four weeks after the crash, Gable decided to return to work on February 23. He did, however, demand to keep the set closed and kept mostly to himself in his dressing room when not in front of the cameras. The usually fun-loving and sociable Turner restrained herself in deference to her co-star's grief. On the other hand, she did not baby him or display any signs of being maudlin; cast and crew were under the strictest orders not to do so, and those that did were met with Gable's stony silence.
After several years of a secretive affair, Gable and the great love of his life, Carole Lombard, had been married in March 1939. They were one of Hollywood's most popular couples (although they only appeared on screen together once, in "No Man of Her Own",1932), and from all reports greatly devoted to each other and their life away from the Hollywood glamour scene.
The studio was prepared to scrap the picture completely, but four weeks after the crash, Gable decided to return to work on February 23. He did, however, demand to keep the set closed and kept mostly to himself in his dressing room when not in front of the cameras. The usually fun-loving and sociable Turner restrained herself in deference to her co-star's grief. On the other hand, she did not baby him or display any signs of being maudlin; cast and crew were under the strictest orders not to do so, and those that did were met with Gable's stony silence.
Shortly after completion of this film, Clark Gable, who was 41 years old, joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and did not make another film until Adventure in 1945. Gable attained the rank of major and received the Distinguished Flying Cross during his years of military service.