Gossip Friday: Splitsville for the Gables

Since July 19 marks 80 years since Clark married Ria Franklin, here is a gossip column’s statement on their break-up, from February 1936:

There is heartbreak in Hollywood over the official separation of the Clark Gables. The whispers have been flying for months, but the whole town hoped that these two grand people would never definitely part. Everyone is so fond of both of them.

In one of the most difficult spots in the world, Ria Gable has presided with dignity and humor. She seemed the perfect wife for a famous man and no one out here is more charming.

The separation will inevitably be blamed on “Hollywood” but that is unjust. It is merely life that is the heavy. People change, and loves die, and all the protestations and tears will not alter that.

There is another Mrs. Gable in Hollywood, Josephine Dillon Gable, who preceded Ria. She, too, is superior, intelligent, and generous-hearted. She is a great dramatic coach and is constantly discovering talented youngsters and coaching tem without charge until they click.

I know of no better praise for Clark Gable than that two such fine women have loved him, even though disastrously.

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Quite a few new pictures in the gallery this week–I’ve started scanning the scrapbooks!