85 Years Ago, Meet the Newlyweds
85 years ago today, March 30, 1939, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, married less than 24 hours, posed happily for the press on the lawn of her Bel-Air home. Two things that are misconceptions about that day:
1. No, they did not spend their wedding night in Oatman, Arizona. I don’t know who started that rumor to generate tourism to Oatman, but NO they did not. They drove all night back to Los Angeles.
2. The March 30 pictures were not taken on the lawn of their Encino ranch house. They were still renovating and had not moved in yet. The newlyweds stayed at Carole’s home on St. Cloud Rd in Bel Air and that is where the March 30 pictures were taken.
Hollywood, March 30–Clark Gable and Carole Lombard returned from their 725-mile wedding jaunt at 4 o’clock this morning, slept a few hours and were up at noon, looking fresh and happy, to receive photographers and reporters.
They were “at home” at Carole’s house, but there was evidence in every room that they will move soon. Dishes and pictures have been packed and Carole said she was moving to Clark’s little ranch house in about a week.
“You’ll have to put the word ranch in double quotes,” laughed Gable. “It’s only 14 acres. But we like it, don’t we, honey? I plowed it personally and Carole did the interior decorating.”
The “ranch,” about 15 miles from Hollywood, boasts a mule, a hand tractor, walnut trees and chickens. The house is Dutch colonial, seven rooms. It has two bedrooms. The servants’ quarters are over the garage.
Mr. Gable has to resume making love to Vivien Leigh, his leading lady, at 9am tomorrow.
