Mogambo 1953 – Recap and 1950s Fashion worn by Grace Kelly and Ava Gardner

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Mogambo Movie 1953 Recap, and Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly’s 1950s fashion worn in the movie.

This post is all about the Mogambo movie and Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly’s 1950s fashion

Mogambo Movie Recap

A love triangle between a big-game hunter and two beautiful women, in a safari-like setting, in the 1950s by director John Ford. 

Mogambo centers around a dazzling old Hollywood cast of Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly.

Victor Marswell (Clark Gable), is a tough safari guide who has to choose between two women.

The Mogambo movie is a remake of the 1932 movie Red Dust. 

Red Dust also starred major star Clark Gable in his same role, but with Jean Harlow and Mary Astor as the two love interests.

Fun fact!

Ava Gardner was married to Frank Sinatra at the time, and supposedly he hung around the set and was a bit jealous of Clark Gable. (Who wouldn’t be?)

1950s fashion in Mogambo

The 1950s fashion in the film was designed by costume designer Helen Rose, who later also designed Grace Kelly’s wedding gown when she married her real-life Prince in 1956.

The two women have very different personalities which is reflected in their clothing. 

Ava Gardner is a showgirl who is stranded in Mogambo after being stood up by a maharaja whom she was supposed to go on Safari with.

Grace Kelly plays the more ‘proper’ married woman who decides that she prefers Clark Gable to her husband.

As a result, Ava Gardner’s clothing is sexier than Grace Kelly’s whose clothing seems rather muted in comparison.

Grace Kelly Fashion

Grace Kelly’s fashion in Mogambo is understated and conservative.

Her outfits consist mostly of button-up tops, slacks or skirts, safari jackets, and one evening gown.

Ava Gardner Fashion

Ava Gardner’s Fashion in Mogambo is flashier than Grace Kelly’s.

Her clothing consists of form-fitting tops, seductive off-the-shoulder tops, along with some slacks and also one evening gown.

Ava Gardner Mogambo Style #1

Ava Gardner’s first outfit in the movie is actually nothing. Literally.

She’s taking a shower in some sort of outside shower and has Clark Gable toss her a robe.

He tosses her this yellow robe which he had conveniently picked up and was carrying with him.

Ava Gardner Mogambo Style #2

After she gets dressed, Ava Gardner puts on a sexy green off-the-shoulder top with a full skirt and a belt that emphasizes the waist.

She accessorizes it with a necklace, bracelets, and heels.

Ava Gardner Mogambo Style #3

For bedtime, she comes out in a negligee with a robe on the top.

Of course it wouldn’t be complete without some high-heeled slippers to go along with it.

Seeing a snake gives her the perfect opportunity to jump into Clark Gable’s arms.

Ava Gardner Mogambo Style #4

All seems hunky dory for a short period of time between Eloise and Victor.

She’s playing the piano and singing in this classic outfit of loafers, slacks, and a short-sleeved button-up blouse that’s tucked in at the waist.

Ava Gardner Mogambo Style #5

The spell gets broken when Victor informs her that her boat has arrived and she better hurry up to get on it.

Angry, she nonetheless decides to leave in style, and wears this gorgeous white skirt suit accessorized with a wide bracelet, a single strand of pearls, and yellow parasol.

Not sure about the practicality of this outfit, but it sure is stunning!

Grace Kelly Mogambo Style #1

The same boat that Eloise is leaving on, conveniently brings in Linda (Grace Kelly) and her husband Donald.

Donald is an anthropologist that wants to study the monkeys, and his wife Linda is along to keep him company.

Grace Kelly wears a conservative tan suit.

Her husband, Donald, has a severe reaction to the shots they were given earlier in the day and collapses onto the bed with a fever.

Grace Kelly Mogambo Style #2

Ava Gardner Mogambo

After Linda and her husband get settled in for the night, guess who shows back up, but Eloise?

Her boat somehow got wrecked and so she hiked back in her white suit.

Victor informs her the Linda and her husband are in her room so she’ll have to find another one.

Grace Kelly Mogambo Style and Ava Gardner Mogambo Style

The next morning Grace Kelly is daintily drinking her tea (don’t you love how she’s using fancy china!) when Eloise comes over to introduce herself.

She’s wearing a simple short sleeved button up top tucked into a skirt.

Ava Gardner is wearing a sweater tee and slacks, accented with a scarf and jewelry.

Eloise offends Linda pretty quickly into their conversation, so Linda takes off in a huff to go for a walk.

Ava Gardner Mogambo Style #5

Ava Gardner changes into an off-the-shoulder blouse with pearls and a skirt when she casually tells Victor that Linda has gone off by herself.

Victor runs out after Linda with a gun and shoots a black panther just in time as it was about to attack Linda.

Ava Gardner Mogambo Style #6

Linda’s husband is feeling better at this point, so they all dress up for dinner.

Ava Gardner wears a strapless white evening gown, this time accented with a double-strand of pearls.

Grace Kelly Mogambo Style #4

Grace Kelly wears a purple evening gown with sheer sleeves and full skirt.

Ava Gardner Mogambo Style #7

Now for the actual safari to go find the monkey’s for Linda’s husband.

Eloise has to tag along as she doesn’t want to spend several weeks alone.

For the safari, she’s wearing slacks, a blue and white button up blouse, complete with a yellow scarf and cardigan.

Grace Kelly Mogambo Style #5

Grace Kelly looks very safari-like in her tan hat and white blouse.

She also seems to be wearing a red necktie?

During the safari, Linda believes she’s now in love with Victor and no longer in love with her husband.

Victor thinks that maybe the reason he never got married was because he hadn’t met Linda yet.

It’s actually Eloise that talks some sense into Victor.

Linda walks in on Victor and Eloise getting cozy with some alcohol and turns away in tears.

And so, the triangle ends, just like that.

Eloise ends up staying with Victor, and Linda leaves with her husband.

This post was all about the Mogambo movie and 1950s fashion

Who’s fashion did you like better in Mogambo? Ava Gardner’s or Grace Kelly’s?

Last updated Sep 24, 2024