Gossip
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Gossip Friday: No Snoopy for Carole
From March 1938: Carole Lombard’s learned to ride Western every Sunday and to roast a nifty duck; she jounces happily in a station wagon when she might be languishing in a limousine. All for Clark Gable’s company! Now, she’s resuming her interest in flying. In “Test Pilot” Clark’s had to fly so much for the director that he has enough hours in the air to get his pilot’s license. Carole took lessons out at the municipal airport a year or so ago, and she’s on the verge of starting over. She’ll never let it be said that she isn’t a swell sport. She isn’t going to be a fool about…
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Gossip Friday: No-Show for Joan’s Party
From 1946: Joan Crawford, who never gives big parties, really went the works on a welcome to Hollywood for Viveca Lindfors, the new Swedish importation. There was a dance floor, orchestra, bar and complete buffet service, all under a huge cellophane tent in Joan’s yard. Every guest showed up but Bette Davis and Clark Gable. Believe it or not, Bette got smacked in the head with a moving camera and went to Laguna Beach to recuperate. Clark didn’t get back in time from a fishing trip. Cutest couple present was Ann Blyth and John Compton, the “daughter” and “son-in-law” of “Mildred Pierce.” __ Anyone else not surprised Bette Davis didn’t…
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Gossip Friday: Carole vs. Marlene
From July 1937: Marlene [Dietrich] and Carole [Lombard] haven’t got to the hair pulling stage–yet–but it is stated that there is no love lost between the rival queens of the Paramount lot. The Dietrich was not too pleased when Lombard got that new two million dollar contract last year, but the fight was really on when it was reported that Carole was to have the lead in “French Without Tears.” That role was the apple of Marlene’s eye. She “discovered” the play while she was in London and had persuaded her studio to buy the screen rights. She had come to regard the part as her personal property. She promptly…
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Gossip Friday: Quite a Scare
From December 1937: Clark Gable and Carole Lombard had quite a scare recently when they thought that gangsters were following them. As the couple drove off from Carole’s home they noticed that they were followed by a car which had been parked near the star’s home. The mysterious motorists several times drove by Gable’s car, and the occupants, two young men, stared at the celebrities. Gable stepped on the petrol, and outdistanced the strangers. He had taken the precaution of noting the license number of the other car, which was reported to the police. The mystery was soon cleared up. The car was owned by a Glendale youth, of excellent…
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Gossip Friday: Carole Strikes Again
From December 1936: Hollywood seems to spend most of its spare time practical joking. When Clark Gable arrived at a radio studio the other night to play George Washington in an air version of Valley Forge, he found his dressing room littered with cherry trees and miniature axes, while on the mirror was a sign proclaiming him the “Father of His Country.” It was suspected to be the work of Carole Lombard. Gable retorted by sending her a sixpenny pop-gun for her birthday.
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Gossip Friday: Ready to Sail
From 1948: When Clark Gable departed for his European vacation, the studio gang, who lunch with him daily, really gave him a send-off. They all wore sailor caps to the table. Clark’s place was banked with seasick remedies, water wings and one of those new envelope-sized French bathing suits. The one thing we know he didn’t take along with him, was a book titled “What Every Young Man Should Know!”
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Gossip Friday: Practice Makes Perfect
From October 1937: Recently Clark Gable, in a picture, was required to crawl under a bed for a comedy scene. He tried it several times but with no success–the director didn’t like it. Exasperated, the director went through the whole scene, himself, to show Clark how it should be done. As he scrambled out from under the bed he said, “You see, Clark, there’s nothing to it–it’s an easy stunt.” “Yeah,” retorted Clark, “it’s easy for you–but look at all the practice you’ve had!” ___ It was actually under a couch–in Saratoga.
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Gossip Friday: Party at Sonja’s
From 1945: It took her a long time to go social, but Sonja Henie finally cracked out with Hollywood’s first post-war party. She gave it the works! There was a buffet supper served inside a huge tent. A dance floor, music, and not coin a phrase, more stars than there are in heaven. Clark Gable was with Anita Colby–not serious (they say) but having such fun together. Joan Fontaine and Mrs. Ronald Colman wore the same “exclusive” gown, which didn’t make Joan too happy. Joan Crawford and Phil Terry arrived early, left early and danced only with each other. They missed the best impromptu floor show pit on by Danny…
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Gossip Friday: Hey There!
From December 1955: Hey There! When I pulled my auto to a stop at a Ventura Boulevard intersection, I noticed a familiar face in the car beside me. Figuring the handsome actor would be embarrassed to see me staring, I casually turned away. But to my amazement, I heard a rambling, nonsensical whistle directed at me. I then realized he was trying to attract my attention in the hope that I would recognize him. I shyly acknowledged Clark Gable’s persistence and in an instant a worried look disappeared from his face and he was smiling and beaming at me! Incidentally, Mr. Gable surely can’t carry a tune! Nancy Wyatt Fresno,…
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Gossip Friday: New Gal on His Arm
From January 1955 (Louella Parsons): When Clark Gable allows his picture to be taken again and again with the same girl at social events, it begins to look serious. Well, the King has been photographed many times lately with Kay Williams Spreckels, beautiful blonde ex-wife of sugar millionaire Adolph Spreckels. Kay was terribly in love with Clark before she married Spreckels and apparently he was in love with her. They went together for a long time but then, without a word, Gable walked out of her life. I’d be the last to prophesy that he will marry Kay now. But there’s no telling with Clark, though I do know he…