Gossip
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Gossip Friday: From One Hitchhiker to Another
From July 1936: Usually, in Hollywood, when one lends money, it is never repaid. Clark Gable, however, recently had a different experience. Nearly two years ago, the star, whilst driving on a country road, gave a lift to a young hitchhiker, who told a hard-luck story. Gable lent him five dollars. A few days ago a youth jumped on the running board of the actor’s car as he was driving out of the studio, and handed him back the loan. He was no longer a hitchhiker, for he had landed a job. Clark is gradually recovering from the shock of getting the money back. Like all affluent Hollywoodites he has had many far…
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Gossip Friday: Sylvia and Louella Go Visiting
From August 1950, Louella Parsons: I went with Sylvia Gable to the MGM lot the very first time she lunched with Clark at the studio–and I’ve never enjoyed a round of the sets more. Sylvia picked me up at my house and was all a-flutter and afraid we would be late. “I’ve been to the studio only once, at night,” she told me, “but I’ve never had lunch with Clark when he is making a picture. I don’t want to be the kind of wife who hangs around when her husband is working.” Clark was waiting for us in the commissary and every eye in the place was on those…
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Gossip Friday: Re-established King
From January 1954: This time when Clark Gable comes home from one of his long stays in Europe he’ll return as the re-established King of the movies. Since “Mogambo” came out–his first really good picture in much, much too long–he’s all the rage again and ready to go. Well, we’re ready for him to do another one like that.
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Gossip Friday: A Valentine Keg
From March 1958: It was like any other day February 14th on the Band of Angels set at Warners. Until Clark Gable was called off the set between takes. That’s when it became Valentine’s Day. Because waiting for him in his dressing room was his own special Valentine. It was a keg. Beautifully varnished, about five gallon size, little red felt hearts all over it and a white thumb tack pinning a large, lacy valentine to the center of the keg. “It’s from Kay,” grinned Gable, “she made it. Look—” It was filled to the top with golden yellow popcorn! Asked what the valentine said, Gable handed it around. “Hamish,…
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Gossip Friday: Clark and Carole, Together Again?
From January 1934: Clark Gable and Carole are to be teamed again in “Shoe the Wild Mare.” ___ Of course that didn’t happen and that film doesn’t exist, but interesting that it was contemplated. Their chemistry didn’t go unnoticed. Too bad Clark and Carole themselves didn’t notice for another two years…
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Gossip Friday: The Perfect Man
From November 1936: Virginia Bruce, who is seen with filmland’s most eligible young men, enjoys a variety of escorts, because, she says, “No one man combines all the qualities I like.” The perfect escort, according to the Hollywood actress, would have to possess the best points of the men. She lists them: Robert Taylor to make all the other girls jealous. Jack Dempsey for protection. Clark Gable for his manly characteristics. Noel Coward for his wit. Fred Astaire as a dancing partner. George Bernard Shaw for his intelligent conversation. William Powell for his spontaneous good humor. James Stewart for his lack of affectation. Cesar Romero for his polished manners. Francis…
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Gossip Friday: Awkward Neighbors
From December 1937: There was an awkward moment at the tennis matches the other day when Clark Gable and Carole Lombard found themselves in the next box to Mrs. Rhea Gable.
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Gossip Friday: A Request to Regress
From January 1934: The latest report from The Merry Widow front is that Clark Gable has asked the studio to permit him to appear in the production as an extra. There are sentimental reasons behind the request. Gable was an extra in the silent version six years ago. The earlier Merry Widow won fame for Roy D’Arcy, whose name has passed from the lists of major stars now, and Clark is at the other end of the film see-saw. At the moment of writing there is very little prospect of the Metro moguls acceding to his request.
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Gossip Friday: What’s Ahead for 1940
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! From January 1940, “Hollywood psychic” reveals what was in store for Clark Gable and Carole Lombard in that coming year: Both may expect a fine year. But there is someone in the background who is trying to make trouble for them. Clark faces a minor operation, and Carole must watch her health also. Toward the end of the year, a baby adoption is indicated. _____ Not so much….
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Gossip Friday: Secret Elopement
From March 1950, Louella Parsons: I can tell my readers that the lovely blonde Lady Sylvia Ashley Fairbanks Stanley had no idea that she was going to marry “King” Clark Gable 48 hours before she did on Tuesday, December 20. The previous Saturday she and Clark had lunched with Minna Wallis, who’d re-introduced them at a dinner months ago. That night they had dinner with Charles Feldman and agreed to dine with him again Tuesday. Tuesday morning, the telephone rang and Sylvia said to Charlie, “Something has happened. We cannot have dinner with you, but you’ll hear from us later.” That “something” was her elopement with Gable! Charlie didn’t know…