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Remembering Clark Gable
Clark Gable died 64 years ago today, after suffering a fatal heart attack. He was 59 years old. Still full of life, he had just completed The Misfits and was eagerly awaiting the birth of his son. You can read about his death and funeral here. After Clark’s death, the newspaper the Atlanta Constitution interviewed some Atlantans who had met Clark when he was in town for the premiere of Gone with the Wind. Atlantans Who Entertained Gable in 1939 Comment on His Death by Yolande Gwin Clark Gable whispered to one of the newspaperwomen and said: “Do you suppose I could have a few words with her? (Margaret Mitchell).…
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Gossip Friday: Improving
From November 15, 1960: Clark Gable Reported Improving Hollywood–Clark Gable, 59, was reported to be continuing to improve Monday at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital where the veteran actor was taken eight days ago following a heart attack. ____ Sadly, Clark died the very next day.
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Gossip Friday: Favorite Partner
From November 1935: New York–Clark Gable’s favorite partner on Broadway excursions, says the Daily news, is Elizabeth Allan, pert British star, who has announced her intention of divorcing her husband, W.J. O’Bryne of London. Gable and Miss Allan appeared together in the film version of “Men in White.” Since his return from South America, the News says, he has showered her with flowers and has accompanied her frequently to cafes and night clubs. Gable left for Connecticut to visit friends after his impending separation from his wife was announced. ___ More on Clark’s relationship with Elizabeth Allan here.
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Gossip Friday: New Baby
From November 1941: Those baby rumors swarming around Clark Gable and Carole Lombard finally paid off—in a way. Carole just bought a colt which she presented to Clark and named Sonny.
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Gossip Friday: A Fair Enough Exchange
From October 1937: Here’s diversified talent for you. After the Rosenbloom-Nestell fight the other night, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard strolled out to meet Bill Robinson and Joe Louis. Bill introduced the screen stars to the ring champ as the quartet walked over to the parking lot to get their cars. Gable wanted to know how to fight, and Louis, very affable and courteous, said he’d teach him to stay off the floor if Clark would instruct him how to act. Fair enough exchange, that seems. Incidentally, no one paid much attention to them.
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Gossip Friday: Gable Goes A-Hunting
From October 1937: It’s over the hills and far away for Clark Gable after finishing a major picture in which he is starred. Clark goes off on hunting trips in the Dodge station wagon in which he is shown above. The Kaibab forest in Arizona and various places in the Santa Barbara mountains in California are his favorite hunting spots. The station wagon serves as a carry-all for his hunting trips between pictures. When in the wild, remote sections of the west he uses it as a base of supplies, an office and as a shelter from inclement weather.
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Gossip Friday: Up to Four
From October 1936: One of the gifts that Clark Gable gave Carole Lombard for her birthday was a thoroughbred cocker spaniel. This brings Carole’s dogs up to four.
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Gossip Friday: Dwindling Gift
From January 1937: Carole Lombard, high prankster of Hollywood, was on the other end of the gagging when she had a birthday party recently. Instead of elaborate gifts, all her pals got together and sent her the most amazing things! Honest, I can’t tell some of them. But I can tell you what Clark Gable sent—a huge package, elaborately packed and wrapped. Carole, aflutter, unwrapped and untied and untied and unwrapped Clark’s gift. It dwindled and dwindled. And finally, she found a ten-cent-store pop gun! But Clark made up for it. Later, he sent her his real birthday gift—a jeweled bracelet, and a cocker spaniel.
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Finding Myrna Loy
From 1938 on, Clark Gable was known as The King of Hollywood and the name has stuck to him even now. Myrna Loy was crowned The Queen of Hollywood at the same ceremony, but unfortunately the title did not stick to her like it did Clark. Nonetheless, from then on, Clark affectionately called her “Queenie.” “Queenie,” much like Clark, was a small-town kid who seemed unlikely to gain worldwide fame, but did thanks to her star power and perseverance. I recently found myself in Myrna’s gorgeous home state of Montana and followed her around a bit. Myrna Loy was born Myrna Adele Williams on August 2, 1905 to David and Della Williams. She was born…
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Gossip Friday: Reconciliation?
From November 1935: Hollywood–Reconciliation of Clark Gable, romantic film hero, and his second wife hinged today upon developments after the actor returns here in two weeks. “I think it is entirely possible they may patch up their differences,” said Ivon D. Parker, Gable’s business representative, who with his brother, Claude, handles all the couple’s legal affairs. Mr. Parker admitted Gable would go to a hotel here, not to his Hollywood home, where Mrs. Gable will remain. Romantic speculation stirred in New York by Gable’s appearance at a hockey game with Miss Mary Taylor, Park Avenue society girl and fashion model. “They’ve done that before,” Mr. Parker recalled, adding that Mrs.…
