Gossip
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Gossip Friday: Lookin’ for a Fight
From August 1934: A fist fight almost marred Sam Goldwyn’s bridge party when Gilbert Roland misunderstood a remark made to his escort, charming Constance Bennett, by Clark Gable. Connie and Clark were playing at the same table when the latter uttered the words that so aroused Gilbert, seated nearby, and caused him to leap from his chair, remove his coat, and shout at Gable, “You quit picking on her and pick on me!” But all’s well that ends well!
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Gossip Friday: How Do You Find Miss Garbo?
From September 1931: Clark Gable is playing opposite Greta Garbo in her new picture. One day at lunch he was approached by an ambitious reporter. “How do you find Miss Garbo?” he was asked. “I don’t,” said Clark. “She is always on the set ahead of me.” And what’s more–they say Clark isn’t a bit “scared” of Greta like most of the other leading men who have played opposite her.
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Gossip Friday: Devoted Mrs. Gable
From February 1941: More and more it’s becoming apparent in Hollywood that one movie career and one only in the family is the rule for happy marriage. With this so apparent, one smart girl, who loves her husband above all else, is taking steps in the right direction. Yes, Carole Lombard, who loves her husband Clark Gable so devotedly, has announced in the future she’ll make only one picture a year. “At the very most, I’ll make three in two years,” Carole said. “I want to be free to join Clark in his between picture vacations.” Maybe Carole has in mind that vacation Bob Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck have been…
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Gossip Friday: Gable Fever!
Letter to the Editor, February 1932: “Clark Gable! Clark Gable! Clark this–and Clark that!” I got tired of hearing my friends rave about him and went to find out what it was all about. I expected to see just another “great lover.” Wow! That guy just about knocked me out of my seat! A wonderful personality, marvelous actor and the most “exciting” person on the screen! That Gable will be as great as Valentino if given half a chance and the other had better look out for their laurels. No fooling! He’s a one hundred per cent man. “Now I’ve got the “Gables,” too! Everybody’s got the Gable fever! Mary…
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Gossip Friday: Clark Gable, True Aquarius?
It’s Clark Gable’s birthday tomorrow! In October 1939, a fan magazine published a chart of different male stars and what their astrological signs meant about their personalities. It was meant as a guide for women: “Check up on the man in your life, and see whether he should be treated like a Robert Taylor of a Gary Cooper!” Clark was the representative for Aquarius. Outstanding Characteristics: Philosophical, independent, original. What Kind of a Husband Would He Make? Faithful but neither sentimental nor domesticated. Not recommended for romantic, possessive women. What Kind of Boss Would He Be? A good friend to his employees, and is strong for laor-saving devices. How He…
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Gossip Friday: Doing All Right for a Dead Man
From January 1938: Jokesters with a macabre sense of humor have been telephoning newspapers that well-known stars have died. Clark Gable was at Carole Lombard’s home when they heard the voice of a newsboy outside crying, “Extra! Extra! Clark Gable killed!” Clark was just kissing Carole good-bye as they heard it. “For a dead one, you’re doing all right,” Carole murmured. But suppose he hadn’t been there when she heard that cry!
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Gossip Friday: A Fan’s Plea to the Widower
A reader’s letter in a fan magazine, from August 1942: An Open Letter to Clark Gable Dear Clark, First of all, I want to extend to you my deepest sympathy. I can imagine, to some small degree, how much Carole meant to you, how you miss her cheery companionship, her contagious sportsmanship. We’ll all miss her—so please feel that we are eager to share your sorrow. But I want to ask you to think of us—the millions of your friends and hers—and beg you not to make that loss twofold. We can’t bring Carole back, but we can try to persuade you not to leave us. Won’t you please…
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Gossip Friday: Let’s Save Clark!
Letter to the editor, February 1934: Why will movie producers insist on re-making Clark Gable into a sweet, gentle lover? Every time I see one of his pictures I grow more disappointed. The women fell in love with him because he was a big, capable, protecting he-man. The men fell for him because he’s a man’s man. Then why make the screen’s mostperfect he-man into a sissy? Let’s keep him a caveman! Mary K. Jones 709 St. Claire Ave. Grosse Pointe, Mich.
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Gossip Friday: Gable for Negri?
From January 1932: We hear–unofficially–that far from deciding on Greta Garbo for “Grand Hotel,” Metro has decided to borrow Pola Negri for the chief female role and has offered, as an inducement to Pathe, to lend Clark Gable in exchange, for one picture! —- Interesting, but we all know Garbo did make “Grand Hotel” and Gable didn’t make another film for Pathe. Quite an idea, though…
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Gossip Friday: 1931–The Fans Have Spoken
Two fan letters from 1931: September: Richard Dix is plenty good, but give Clark Gable a real chance. He’s simply wonderful and no going out of the way to say it either. He has the looks that could steal any poor girl’s heart DeWuse John —– October: I have just seen “A Free Soul,” and is that a picture! It may not be the most wholesome type of picture, but to my mind is one of the best produced in some time, the reason being the splendid, forceful portrayals of Lionel Barrmore and Clark Gable. Miss Shearer was fine, too, as she always is, but special tribute is due Mr.…