It’s well-known in Durango, Colorado, that the then up-and-coming actress, Marilyn Monroe, visited the town in 1949 to film a small role in the comedy Western, A Ticket to Tomahawk.
But did you know that MM returned a year later, during filming of another Western, Across The Wide Missouri, starring none other than her idol, Clark Gable?
Interestingly, Across the Wide Missouri was released in November 1951, on the same week as another early Monroe film, Let’s Make it Legal.
During filming of 'A Ticket to Tomahawk', 1949
Mickey Hogan, now 82, remembers meeting the hopeful starlet in today’s Durango Herald:
‘So, what was she doing in Durango in 1950? She has no credited role in “Across the Wide Missouri.” She could have been trying to land a role, or trying to catch someone’s attention. Clark Gable was among her favorite actors – maybe she was observing.
“As I remember, she liked Durango and had a great time here (during “Ticket to Tomahawk”) and wanted to come back,” Hogan said.
A major battle scene between the mountain men and the Native Americans was shot by Andrews Lake near the top of Molas Pass. That’s where he became acquainted with Monroe.
The topsoil around Andrews is a spongy peat moss that is flammable, Hogan said. Most everyone on the crew and the hordes of spectators were smokers, creating a potential fire danger. Hogan traveled on a horse with a fire extinguisher, putting out any smoldering spots in the peat moss.
Monroe asked if she could join Hogan on his rounds, and she was set up with a horse and fire extinguisher of her own.
“People got bored to death,” Hogan explained. “And that’s where Marilyn got involved with me and putting fires out. She didn’t have anything to do. … She just enjoyed riding and doing something. It wasn’t any other reason she had.”
She joined him two or three times, and that was it: Hogan’s brush with Marilyn Monroe. He assumes she was just building her career and thought that people involved with the movie could help.
“That’s just a guess on my part,” Hogan said, “but I’m pretty sure it’s true.”
He also remembers Monroe visiting Hogan’s Store, and his father, Charles Hogan, waiting on her.
“My dad was very attentive on providing her with (jeans) to try on,” Hogan chuckled. “I never will forget that. I just laughed at my dad.”’
