1935: Gable Selects The Ten Most Attractive Women
Gable Selects The Ten Most Attractive Women
Picturegoer magazine, February 23, 1935
“Who are the ten most beautiful and fascinating women in Hollywood today?” I asked Clark Gable that question when I met him by chance the other day. Clark frowned.
“That’s a pretty hard question to answer,” he said at last, his natural kindliness to the Press overcoming his reluctance to be interviewed, “and I might step on somebody’s toes, but I’ll take a crack at it anyhow.”
Ever since the day when Hollywood turned out its first flickering two-reeler, the world has poured its most beautiful and charming women into the ravenous maw of the kinema. No one knows how many thousands have made the pilgrimage, but where one has succeeded, thousands have failed. It is easy to believe that those who are now at the top of the picture heap might not only be counted the most beautiful and fascinating women in Hollywood, but in all the world. And who is better qualified to select them than Gable?
“But before you name them, Clark,” I insisted, “tell me, what are the requirements of a beautiful and fascinating woman, as you see them?”
“Character counts most. I do not think there was ever a true beauty who did not have a fine character. A woman’s features may be perfectly moulded, her skin a peach-blown dream and her body perfect, but unless her character shines through, she can never be truly beautiful. It takes more than mere perfection of face and figure for a woman to be beautiful.
“Second, she must be a good sport. That covers a wide field, I know; but remember, I’m defining a real woman. She must be willing to play the game, no matter what it is. No man can respect a woman who does not respect the rights of others.
“Third, she must be a lady, not because she has been taught to act like one, but because she wouldn’t know how to be anything else. Being a lady or a gentleman, in the true sense of the word, is something natural, something which is born in us. I have seen men and women who were perfect ladies and gentlemen who never had the advantage of wealth, breeding or education and I have seen cads who were of the best families. There is a certain charm about a woman who has this inbred qualification which cannot be counterfeited.
“A woman’s charm must spring from a natural and unaffected manner of thinking and acting. It must not be affected. She must have an understanding mind and be capable of sympathizing with others. She must have a good mind, be well read, have a good knowledge and an interest in art, music and poetry and yet not try to impress you with her knowledge. She must not be a prude and yet she must have her ideals and stick to them.”
Clark paused for breath. He grinned. He tossed back that lock of dark hair from his forehead.
“I suppose you think my ideas of a charming woman are plenty big, but I admit that. But the one thing a woman must have is understanding…understanding and the ability to be a good companion, a pal.”
After a moment’s thought, he ran off the names of the following women, pausing only one or two times as if in doubt:
“My wife, Mrs. Gable, Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Kay Francis, Jean Harlow, Claudette Colbert, Greta Garbo, Grace Moore, Helen Hayes and Lily Pons.”
I thought it charming of Clark that he named his wife, Ria Gable, first on that list.
“She belongs there,” he told me seriously, “for never in my life have I known any woman who came up to my qualifications of a charming and beautiful woman as she does.”
“It’s hard to say why I picked that group,” frowned Clark, “except that they just strike me that way. There is Norma Shearer, in my mind one of the most fascinating women on or off the screen. She has everything, including brains enough to combine marriage, motherhood and a screen career successfully.
“The better I know Joan Crawford, the greater my admiration for her grows. I had to fight my way up, too, and I know how much more difficult it is for a woman.
“Kay Francis is an entirely different type from Joan, but also a woman of great beauty and charm. Although Kay is sophisticated enough, she gives you the impression of a womanly softness which is appealing.
“Jean Harlow, despite her screen characterizations, is not the personification of sex. She is essentially a good pal, a comrade to the men for whom she cares. Jean also has a good mind.
“Claudette Colbert had the advantages of early culture, money and a fine education. She sparkles. There is something continental about her, an old world charm that fascinates all who come in contact with her.
“Garbo…what can anyone say about Garbo, except that she is the one and only? I consider her one of the most charming women of all time.
“Then there is Grace Moore, the opera star. A little girl from the hills of Tennessee, she has fought her way up to a place of world prominence. Grace puts you instantly at your ease and, although she has walked with kings, she has never lost the common touch.
“Helen Hayes is a different type from any of the women I have mentioned. She is like Claudette Colbert.
“And now, last but far from least, Lily Pons. In addition to having one of the world’s greatest voices, she is also a great personality. She enlivens any crowd of which she is a member and has an amazing knowledge of the cultural side of life.
“Of course, there are scores of other charming and beautiful women in Hollywood whom I admire, but this group seems to strike my own ideas perfectly.”