But Not for Me (1959)

The last few films that Clark Gable made -- of which But Not for Me is one -- all acknowledged to one degree or another that the former lion of the silver screen had aged. But Not for Me not only acknowledges it, it makes his age -- and the discrepancy with the age of his presumed love interest -- the very subject of the film. That in itself gives the film a somewhat interesting and unusual tone. It's a shame that this aspect wasn't really gone into in greater depth, rather than given the amusing but superficial treatment it received. Certainly, a film such as this is meant to be breezy, but some depth could have been added without sacrificing the essential lightheartedness of the piece. That also might have given Gable a bit more to play; his work here is good, clean and professional -- but it's lacking the spark that could have supplied magic. Much the same could be said of his co-star, Carroll Baker. To find sparks, one must instead look to second leads Lee J. Cobb and Lilli Palmer. Cobb is a treat as the seen-it-all playwright, and Palmer is simply sensational as the ex-wife who knows Gable better than he knows herself. Palmer's manner of getting in a catty dig or two at Baker in the most gracious and kindhearted way is especially delicious. Walter Lang's direction is efficient, wrapping the film up as a moderately pleasing little bauble -- not great, but a pleasant enough diversion. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide