Remembering Clark Gable

Clark Gable died 64 years ago today, after suffering a fatal heart attack. He was 59 years old. Still full of life, he had just completed The Misfits and was eagerly awaiting the birth of his son.

You can read about his death and funeral here.

After Clark’s death, the newspaper the Atlanta Constitution interviewed some Atlantans who had met Clark when he was in town for the premiere of Gone with the Wind.

Atlantans Who Entertained Gable in 1939 Comment on His Death

by Yolande Gwin

Clark Gable whispered to one of the newspaperwomen and said: “Do you suppose I could have a few words with her? (Margaret Mitchell). After all, there is a lot I want to tell her.” And quicker than you could say “Gone with the Wind” Margaret Mitchell was by his side and in an undertone to the newspaperwoman said:

“Isn’t he grand? And just what I expected. He is a perfect Rhett Butler. Handsome and charming!”

PRESS PARTY

It was the Atlanta Press Club’s party honoring one of its members, Margaret Mitchell, ad the visiting celebrities here for the world premiere of “Gone with the Wind.” (Dec. 15, 1939) The Piedmont Driving Club was jammed and Hollywood big shots were a dime a dozen. But it was Gable and Mitchell who stole the show.

They slipped away for a chat and as they did Gable’s wife, the late Carole Lombard, said to Peggy Mitchell, “Clark has been drying to meet you and this is a real event.”

And who should edge in but Scarlett (Vivien Leigh) O’Hara, who said to Gable, “I think Margaret is perfectly wonderful.”

ALL THE TEA

And Clark Gable said to Peggy Mitchell, “I wouldn’t have missed playing Rhett for all the tea in China, but I’ll admit I was scared at first You etched Rhett into the minds of millions and I was afraid it would be impossible to satisfy all of them!”

An understatement of that famous ear when GWTW was premiered and when Rhett Butler rode down Peachtree Street amid the cheers of more people than fought the Battle of Atlanta.

The Junior League ball at the auditorium was the big social event of the exciting week and here’s what some of those staging the affair in 1939 had to say about the dashing Rhett Butler Gable after his death this week.

Mrs. Green Warren, who served as chairman of the ball, said: “Clark couldn’t have been nicer and was so cooperative with all our plans. When he left my husband and I took him to the airport. I remember he asked Green if he liked to hunt and how were the quail in Georgia. Then he said he thought they were a little bigger out West, and Green said, ‘They may be bigger, but they aren’t as good as those in Georgia.'”

Mrs. Edwin McCarty: “I am very sad about his death. I remember when we were planning the ball I was in the League office with DeSales Harrison and he called Hollywood to invite Clark to come to Atlanta for the premiere. He was on the set making a picture, but came to the phone and said he was thrilled and flattered that we wanted him.”

Mrs. Errol Hay said: “I met him and I think I can speak for everyone when I say he endeared himself to all Atlanta.”

Mrs. W. Colquitt Carter, Junior League president when the ball was held, said: “He was most pleasant and charming and certainly was not in the least conceited.”

Mrs. Malon Courts: “I have always said he was one of the handsomest men I’ve ever met and when I met him I was not in the least disappointed. He was charming.”

Mrs. Frank Boston, Jr.: “What else can I say but that he was charming and gracious to all.”

Mrs. Clark Howell, whose husband served as master of ceremonies at the ball said: “He was charming and delightful and made us all feel as though we had known him for years.”

Mrs. Frank Rowsey, an officer of the Women’s Press Club, said: “This may surprise you, but I had never liked Gable in the movies, but I must say that when I met him, he won me over completely.”

Mrs. Charles Palmer, whose daughter Margaret (now Mrs. Cecil Moses of Great Bend, Kan.) was chosen to represent Scarlett at the ball said: “I think everybody in Atlanta was pleased with Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. As for himself, he was charming and delightful.”