Gossip Friday: A Strange Quartet

From November 1938:

Carole Lombard-William Powell-Clark Gable-Rhea Gable–how do the members of this quartet regard and treat each other in the narrow confines of Hollywood?

Lombard and Powell are perhaps greater friends now than when they were husband and wife. When they first started making “My Man Godfrey,” their dressing rooms were at opposite sides of the set. Halfway through the picture they were halfway nearer each other. By the time “My Man Godfrey” was in a “canned” condition, their two rooms were side by side! And the ex-Mr. and Mrs. dined together at least five times a week, and it looked as though Bill had nosed out Mr. Gable for first place in Carole’s heart. However, Clark has never resented this reappearance of Powell in Carole’s life and recently listed Bill among the 10 men he likes best in Hollywood.

Gable’s relationship with estranged wife Rhea is something else again. Shortly after their separation, I remember seeing them at a New Year’s Eve party in Sam Goldwyn’s house. But Clark was careful to remain in one room and Rhea was just as anxious to stay in another. I saw them pass each other once. Their faces wore a strained smile. Nowadays, hostesses take good care to invite them separately, as Clark is very embittered anent the huge settlement he is paying his second wife.