Gossip Friday: Mr. Gable and Miss Garland
From August 1937:
Judy Garland won her way into the gallant Gable heart by getting up blithely on a platform at the MGM Convention Ball and singing a song which she dedicated especially to Clark. It was called “My Fan Letter to My Favorite Stars”. Gable was there—with Lombard, and so he couldn’t show his deep appreciation to Miss Garland right then.
But the other day was Judy’s birthday and Clark came through–with an enticing charm bracelet, and a lot of other gifts, among them a book with his own photograph in it. Bet Carole’s worried!
Of course I took the name for this site from Judy’s song, “Dear Mr. Gable”. This puts to rest some of the rumors that Clark was irritated by the song. Word has it that Carole used to play it for him incessantly on her record player just to get under his skin—that was probably what irritated him! Judy did admit later that the song was a big PR move for the Clark’s films and wasn’t really her personal sentiment…she said her favorite male star at that time was Gary Cooper! But she did say that Clark was always nice to her and that she enjoyed singing the song for him.
One Comment
June
Oh, hooray! Two reasons: I have always hated that folks said he was cheap, never bought gifts, etc. And 2nd, I love that song. Glad to know he didn’t hate it!