Gossip Friday: Hats off to you!

From September 1938:

“Where did you get that hat?”

The old cry is ringing around the MGM lot these days louder than ever since an assistant director, a wardroble lad, a sound man, an electrician and a bit player all appeared one morning in bright straw hats with flaming hatbands.

“Gable’s cupboard,” came a simulatenous answer from the five. There was an immediate stampede from all directions to the famous Gable clothes closet.

You see, Clark is a collector of hats. Can’t resist buying a half-dozen every time he hits a shop. One look in his studio mirror, however, convinces Clark the hats were never made for him and up on the shelf they go.

Twice each year, when the shelf can hold no more, Clark simply sticks his head out the window and yells, “Come and get them!” and the rush is on. The lucky lads who wear his size haven’t bought a hat since Gable became a star.

Oh, about the initial C.G. inside. They merely explain that by calling themselves the “Chapeau Grabbers”. What a club to belong to, eh?