Gossip
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Gossip Friday: Sharing the Burden of Riches
From August 1936: People who are wealthy always have relatives or friends who are willing to share the burden of riches. In the case of married masculine stars, trouble ensues when they separate from their wives. Rudy Vallee discovered this fact when his ex-mate, Fay Webb, attempted to set aside a property agreement. The case was recently settled by the payment to Fay of a fat sum. Clark Gable has asked the Los Angeles coyrts to interpret a settlement recently agreed to by himself and his estranged wife. Gable claims that he understands that his wife intends to enter an action to set aside the agreement, and demand a much…
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Gossip Friday: Crawford vs. Shearer
From November 1936: Interest in the alleged feud between Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer is revived by the announcement that Joan is to challenge direct comparison with her rival by starring in the new version of “The Last of Mrs Cheyney”. The Lonsdale story was one of Norma’s early talkie successes. The assignment follows Miss Crawford’s relinquishment of her role in Parnell with Clark Gable. The star, it appears, did not approve of the plan to make the film more romantic fiction than political history. ____ “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” actually already had Myrna Loy starring in it when the swap was made and Myrna went to Parnell and…
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Gossip Friday: Too Much Gable
Fan letter from August 1936: I think that Clark Gable’s popularity will decrease rapidly if he continues to appear on the screen as frequently as he does at present. I made a count, and discovered that he actually had five releases in 1934 and the same number last year. This is a total of ten pictures in two years–a truly ridiculous figure for a star of his magnitude. Ronald Colman who was Gable’s predecessor as the idol of feminine sans made about ten films in five years. This actor is still gaining admirers. I don’t know where Clark Gable will be in ten years time. If he made about five…
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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.