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Gossip Friday: The Wilds of Arizona
from August 1941: When Clark Gable takes a vacation he doesn’t fool. Last scenes of “Honky Tonk” in the can, Clark and Carole Lombard are now somewhere in the wilds of Arizona, not to return to pictures until Dec. 1. Wrapped up in Gable’s $5500-a week contract is a clause specifying a three-month annual vacation to occur at “such a period as prescribed by party of the second part.” The hunting season is always Gable’s choice for the layoff period. Business is combined with pleasure this time. The star hopes to complete a deal, long hanging fire, for 2400 acres of ranch property in Arizona. Deep in the wilderness, the…
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Gossip Friday: In the Side Door
From March 1938: This business of being a famous star has its drawbacks. Last night I covered a big preview and happened to park my car alongside Clark Gable’s. He and Carole Lombard started for the theatre with me, took one look at the swarming mob of autograph hunters, and stopped short. “Listen,” begged Gable, “be a friend and get the manager to let us in a side door.” I saw them sneak in and, as the picture neared an end, I saw Gable begin to fidget. With at least a reel of the film still unseen, he suddenly clambered out of his seat and dragged Carole to the side…
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{New Article} 1942: Heart of a He-Man
This article, from October 1942, deals with the recently widowed Clark Gable returning to the set of Somewhere I’ll Find You. The film halted production for several weeks after the untimely death of Clark’s wife, Carole Lombard. The picture began again after weeks of many misgivings and many hopes, and the director called the crew together. “Boys, Gable will be back this afternoon—he’s coming in to get the feel again—just sit around—and let’s not say anything—I mean—oh, hell—you know what I mean!” His eyes were misty as he talked quietly and stumbled around for more words, because he didn’t want the boys to misunderstand. Neither did he want Mr. Gable…
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Gossip Friday: Be Prepared
From December 1941 (Hedda Hopper): Be Prepared is Motto for Carole and Clark Through these tense days, Carole Lombard has certainly kept the crew and cast on the stage of “To Be or Not to Be” in a howling good humor with all her gags. When I asked her what she’d do if she caught a Japanese parachutist landing on her ranch, she said, “Let ’em come! Pappy and I haven’t been banging away at ducks and skeets all these years for nothing. We’ve put the ranch on a wartime basis, sold a couple of horses, are growing vegetables instead of alfalfa.” Atta girl, Carole! And very soon, too, you’ll…
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Gossip Friday: The New Gable
From March 1945: I had the good fortune, when in Hollywood recently, to attend a radio broadcast starring Clark Gable–one of his first acting assignments since his return to civilian life. The studio audience was tense with anticipation, awaiting his appearance. The reception given him when he did come on the stage was one of the most sincerely hearty I think I have witnessed. Here was someone the fans not only admired as an actor, but truly respected and honored as a person. His splendid war record, the dignity with which he has conducted his private life, his off-screen natural friendliness, all have made of Gable something of a beloved…
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Gossip Friday: Rhett Can Ride
From March 1940: Clark Gable proved that if he ever gets tired of romantic leads he can sign up as a hard-riding western star. Assigned to “sit out” a scene on a spirited black horse, Gable found the animal feeling too good to stand still. So, before the next take was ready, Gable galloped his steed up the road and gave it such a workout that it was glad to take a rest while the picture was being shot. The riding part was that of Rhett Butler in “Gone with the Wind,” David O. Selznick’s Technicolor production starring Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland and currently showing…
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Gossip Friday: More Than Fish
From March 1947: Clark Gable, who dashes off to the Columbia River on “solitary” fishing trips, is reported interested in more than fish that way. He’s supposed to have escorted a lovely Oregonian around the local town, our spies report.
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Gossip Friday: Moving On
From October 1943: Report that Clark Gable and Virginia Bruce were engaged drew them apart in a hurry and Clark’s now seeing almost daily the beauteous Kay Williams, who used to be married to the South American millionaire Macoco. ___ Kay and Clark would break up….only to get back together years later and finally marry in 1955.
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Gossip Friday: Share with Greer
From April 1945: The news that Greer Garson would play opposite Clark Gable in “The Strange Adventure” has caused a tidal wave of enthusiasm among the fans. Greer herself is so please about it she’s even offered Clark her royal dressing room suite to use while his old one is being redecorated. But you know the “old moose!” He thanked Greer and said he’d undress behind a couple of old packing boxes. He would, too.
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Gossip Friday: No New Experience
From October 1936: Joan Crawford was sitting in front of her portable dressing room when an office boy brought two visitors, an elderly man and woman, to the set. She called the boy over, “Why don’t you give them a break?” the star suggested. “Clark Gable is right over there.” “I know it,” replied the boy. “They’re his father and mother!” Mr. and Mrs. Gable spent the afternoon with Clark, and later met Joan. “It is no new experience to see Clark,” Mr. Gable remarked to Joan, “but this is a real pleasure. I’ve always wanted to meet you!” ___ Uh, that’d be his father and STEPmother, considering his mother…
