Gossip
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Gossip Friday: So Much for that Resolution
From January 1955: Clark Gable’s resolution for 1955–to stay single. But if Kay Spreckels wants to change his mind–she’s the only gal who can do it. ____ And that she did, becoming the fifth Mrs. Gable in July of that year.
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Gossip Friday: Quite a Cougar
From January 1934: Clark Gable was en route home today from a hunting trip through southern Utah. Gable shot a 200-pound cougar during the trip. The expedition also went through the Kanak area where Gary Cooper recently went hunting.
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Gossip Friday: Due for Trouble
From January 1955 (Hedda Hopper): Lana Turner, like Clark Gable, was born never to find happiness in marriage. I never see either of them out of the limelight until the curtain drops on them. They are both due for trouble in 1955 and should bide their time until 1956. ____ So much for that, since Clark married his fifth wife Kay Spreckels in July 1955.
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Gossip Friday: No More Pranks
From December 1938: Clark Gable will swear off all gags aimed at Carole Lombard during the New Year–unless she starts it first, which will probably be at the stroke of the second after midnight New Year’s Eve.
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Gossip Friday: A Letter to Santa
From December 1941 (Truesdell): Santa Gets a Letter Asking Favors for Stars Dear Santa, Answering your wire of this morning, you will find below the report on the little boys and girls that you wanted. Please, Santa, keep this confidential because if it ever leaks out that I’m your Hollywood legman it will spoil our swell association of all these years. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard: It’s not that I’m lazy, but on these couples that I’m hooking together for a combination gift you can be sure that it’s exactly what they both want for the happiest holiday. I suppose you’re thinking that Clark and Carole have everything, and you’re…
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Gossip Friday: Rhett’s Command Performance
From January 1940: When Clark Gable and his wife, Carole Lombard, got home from their exciting trip to Atlanta for the premiere festivities of “Gone with the Wind,” Gable sank into his favorite chair, sighed, grinned and exclaimed: “Well, Mrs. G., here we are at home–and isn’t it wonderful? Now I know how kings feel when they finally get into their private suites and pull off their trappings, after reviewing the troops, laying a cornerstone and addressing the populace.” From first to last Gable has been doing a command performance. Frankly, he didn’t want to tackle the role of Rhett Butler. After all, the guy was a Southern renegade, a…
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Gossip Friday: Tossed for a Loop
From January 1938: Two of the presents Clark Gable gave to Carole Lombard were an English sheepdog and a two-seated motor scooter. When she was riding it Christmas night, the thing got out of control and tossed Carole for a loop. Wrecked her evening gown but did no damage to her person. After all those crazy comedies, falling off a scooter is child’s play to the star.
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Gossip Friday: Mrs. G. Says No Beards
From November 1941: In refusing to play a part calling for his wearing a beard, Clark Gable told the producer: “Mrs. G. doesn’t want me to wear a beard in a picture. She says beards are not romantic, women don’t like them.”
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Gossip Friday: No Turkey
From February 1938: Because Carole Lombard does not like turkey and cannot eat it without an expression of disgust, a property man on the “Fools for Scandal” set had to fix up something that looked like a turkey leg, but wasn’t, for a scene of hers. He just stripped a turkey leg, wrapped it with roast beef, and Carole was able to play the scene with required enthusiasm.
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Gossip Friday: Know It Backwards
From November 1938: As a very special favor, I was permitted on the “Idiot’s Delight” set–and understood the guarded doors when I found them filming the tap-dancing sequences Clark Gable hates so much. Director Clarence Brown asked Clark if he wanted a rehearsal before they started shooting, but Clark brushed him aside. “Naw,” he growled, “I know the thing backwards.” One take half-completed and Brown shouted “Cut!” Walking over to Gable, he added, a grim note to his voice: “Clark, I think you’re right. You know it backwards–but that isn’t the way we want it done!”
