Gossip Friday: See Ya Later, Polly

From December 1931:

Temperament–long quiet in the studios of Hollywood–is having its fling, and plenty, at the present time.

Clark Gable walked out on the production of “Polly of the Circus”–not satisfied with his salary, it seems. This man is the greatest box office pull of the moment. Writers have said so, unhesitatingly, authorities on the box office have declared it, he has been fought for by the leading ladies of the lot who know that their pictures will have a better chance if the only matinee idol de luxe since Valentino and talkies is in it.

But Clark Gable gets $350 a week salary plus a $500 a week bonus–which has been added to the salary since he went over into big box office material. 

They can do without Gable for five days at MGM–but after that time has elapsed, he must return to the fold or else–another leading man will be put into the picture.

Studios are trying in these days of entrenchment to take a firm stand on salary matters. But only a heedless producer would hand Clark Gable over to his rivals in this depression.

__

Clark won this battle, obviously (although he would have been better off walking out on Polly of the Circus for good!) and his salary was raised to $1,500 a week, which equates to $25,500 in today’s money so…..not too shabby indeed.