{New Article} 1940: Two Happy People Part II

This article is the second in a series of four articles about Clark and Carole that appeared in Movie and Radio Guide in May 1940. You can read Part Three here.

Mr. Gable has a seven-year contract with MGM for $2,000,000. He has Carole Lombard! Gentlemen, if luck does that to a man, then here’s one fellow who begins today to make his troth with Lady Luck. We have an idea that ability and hard work had something to do with Mr. Gable’s success. Luck may get a man to the top, but luck can’t keep him there.

“Have you met Mrs. G?” Mr. Gable asked. “She’s not working right now. You ought to go out to the farm and see her.”

He was very serious. “I hope you understand one thing and that is that Mrs. G. and I want to live our own lives. We’re rather proud of our home. We’ve never allowed a picture to be taken inside of our house. You understand, I hope. That’s our home and we don’t care to have our personal belongings spread before the eyes of the world.”

And Mr. Gable meant it. That’s another thing I like about the family. After all, a couple has a right to privacy.

This is true. Often you see pictures of stars’ homes laid out in magazines, but never any of the inside of Clark and Carole’s. All publicity photos were taken outside the home or in the barn.

Mr. Gable is not as critical of other actors as his wife. Mrs. Gable will tell an actor that he or she was corny in a certain shot. She will argue with directors and producers. But Mr. Gable has a good word for almost everybody. It is not a question of diplomacy with him. A man with the contract that he’s got doesn’t have to be diplomatic. It’s just his nature. He and his wife sometimes argue. She will say, “You know that so and so hammed that part.” He will say, “Now, now, Carole, maybe he was doing the best he could.”

They never allow themselves to become bored.

“Boredom is the greatest sin in the world,” Mr. Gable said, “And the only cure for boredom is hard work and an understanding marriage.”

He and Mrs. Gable click because they never do the same things every day. They make life interesting. They entertain very little and have been to only two hot-spots during the first year of their marriage. They read a lot—good books.

I like that quote about boredom! It is evident in Clark and Carole’s marriage that they balanced each other out. She could be feisty, and he would settle her down. He could be a stick in the mud, and she would bring out his fun side.

You can read the article in its entirety in The Article Archive. And look out for Part Four coming soon!