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Where were Clark and Carole 70 years ago today?
All dolled up and out on the town for a worthy cause! There’s Clark and Carole looking quite dashing, posing in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The occaison? An all-star radio broadcast for Greek War Relief that was held seventy years ago today–January 8, 1941. I love all-star events like this because the pictures answer the questions of “Did so- and-so ever meet so-and-so?” For instance, the event was only one of two instances that I know of that Carole is pictured with Myrna Loy (and that’s Melvyn Douglas and Tyrone Power with them too): Carole, Myrna and Tyrone share a secret:The dashing duo with Dick Powell, Frank Morgan, Ann Rutherford and Shirley…
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Gossip Friday: What You Need is a Good Story
From September 1941: Maybe you assume that Clark Gable is one of those lucky actors in that he always seems to get good roles. I suspected a method to it all. Clark works hard to get them–and then works hard with them. Of course, he has the advantage of a strong personality. With half a chance, his role assumes proportions of charm and force it probably never had on paper. But drawing on that personality too often is dynamite. Let me quote Gable: “What’s the most important thing a star can do to hold his popularity? That’s easy. Just see to it that he has the good fortune to land…
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Updates
2011 will be a great year–in less than a month is the 110th birthday of Mr. Gable! Also in March is the 100th birthday of one of Clark’s favorite leading ladies and close friends, Jean Harlow (pictured above). New and notable for the new year: Get the dish on two of Clark’s romances –with Hollywood legend Joan Crawford and fashion model Anita Colby Two new articles: one from 1942 “What the Loss of Carole Lombard Means to Clark Gable”, which, I must warn you will put a damper on your day as it is rather depressing… And “The Girl in Clark Gable’s Life” from 1944, about Clark’s early courtship with Kay. An…
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Gossip Friday: Clark Answers
From April 1940: I asked Clark Gable if he felt it dangerous to work so long in a single film such as “Gone with the Wind”. Fans forget easily. Will the role of Rhett Butler, no matter how colorful, be strong enough to hold Clark to the top, to overcome the long months of getting him on celluloid? Gable writes thus: “Rather than being dangerous to work too long in one picture, I can say from experience that it is of definite value to an actor and makes for a superior film. There is no substitute for adequate and superior preparation. ‘Gone with the Wind’ proves this. From an acting…
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Gone with the Wind hits Los Angeles
The Los Angeles premiere of Gone with the Wind was 71 years ago this very evening. Jean Garceau, Clark and Carole’s faithful secretary, attended the event with them. Here is how she described it: The theater was decorated inside and out in keeping with the background and theme of the film. Huge searchlights probed the sky, bands played, streets were roped off and uniformed attendants held back the crowds as the police permitted only those cars with passes to draw up in front of the theater. A long flower-decked canopy extended to the sidewalk and a master of ceremonies stood there to welcome the stars, announce their names over a…
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Gossip Friday: Dear Santa
Here’s a letter to a fan magazine that appeared in January 1942: Dear Santa Claus, You can leave Boyer in the foyer, Hang Fonda on the the tree, Keep Robert Stack in your bulging pack, But give Clark Gable to me. Drop he-man Brent in a windy tent, Put Flynn under lock and key, For Tyrone Power, a tinsel tower, ‘Cause Gable’s the man for me! Tops as an actor, that’s a factor, He brings both mirth and tears, A mighty fine guy, you can’t deny– And besides, I like his ears! –Marian Pehowski, Milwaukee, Wisconsin ____ Right on, Marian! Well, Clark never appeared in any Christmas films and…
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Gossip Friday: Just like Mickey
Since Mickey Rooney is TCM’s Star of the Month this month… From December 1938: Mickey Rooney’s one proud guy. He’s going around telling everyone that Clark Gable’s bought a car just like his, after a ride with Mickey. It’s true the cars are just alike–a low-priced coupe. Clark liked Mickey’s a lot, and that was a factor, he admits. But the principal reason he doesn’t use his $3,500 roadster is because he and Carole are always recognized. It’s got to the point where they even want privacy en route. _________ New this week: Pictures in the gallery I’ve got a TON of new updates for the site that I am…
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Gossip Friday: One Swell Guy
From November 1937, letter to the editor: A week ago, I was bewailing my fate because I have to live in a town where nothing ever happens and now imagine—I’ve been talking to Clark Gable! He had been fishing in Montana and, on his way back to Hollywood stopped in Twin Falls for supper and a night’s rest before continuing his trip. He is certainly one swell guy! There aren’t many stars who, after driving a car right hundred miles, and being dead tired, mosquito-bitten and hungry, would have time to share with the wide-eyed people of a little Idaho town. Mr. Gable, however, surrounded by autograph hunters, said, with…
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Gossip Friday: A Quick Trip
From February 1937: One of the shortest flights on record was Clark Gable’s trip to New York. He planned a 10-day vacation to see plays, especially “Idiot’s Delight”, which he is to do for the films. He saw “Idiot’s Delight”, but he also discovered it was the delight of his fans to mob him wherever he went. So Mr. G., disguised as an unidentified citizen, sneaked through the Holland Tunnel to Newark and grabbed a plane back to Hollywood. Incidentally, when he left for the East, the Sunday airport sightseers were treated to something a little extra when Carole Lombard handed her hero quite a demonstrative send-off. ______ New this…
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Gossip Friday: Protect Yourself
From March 1940: Snicker of the Month came the day Joan Crawford, heading back for an afternoon’s work after lunch on Strange Cargo, knocked at Clark Gable’s dressing room, with a bunch of green onions in her hand. As Clark poked his head out,s he handed him the onions with: “You’d better eat these, Clark, before that love scene we’re going to play. Because I ate some for lunch, and you may as well protect yourself.” Without an eyelash batting, Clark came back with: “Thanks, Joan, but never mind. I just had some garlic for lunch myself!” ___ New this week: Film page for It Started in Naples–64 down, 2…