Gossip Friday: Fred and Carole

Here’s some Carole scoop from September 1941:

Proving there is an attraction between opposites, Fred [MacMurray]’s favorite femme fatale is Carole Lombard. He’d rather play a small part with her than co-star with her contemporaries. When an agent called to offer a radio engagement, Lily [his wife] explained that Fred was down in San Diego on location. She was sure he would like to do it. Perhaps another time.

“I understand,” said the agent, “I’m sure we can find someone this time to play opposite Carole Lombard. “

Did he say Lombard? Lily was ure Fred would fly back if there was a chance to work with Carole. They were a wonderful audience for each other. Nothing made Fred happier than to get a laugh out of Carole. Lily was sure Fred would be terribly disappointed if he didn’t work with Carole. P.S. He worked with Carole.

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Fred was close friends with Clark and Carole. Later in life, he had this to say: “[Carole] was one of those bulbs that burned so brightly that you almost understood why she died so young–it seemed impossible for someone that vibrant to go on forever. I still miss her though. She was a great friend. And boy, did she love Clark—she would have jumped off a bridge if he told her to…I didn’t see much of Clark in the following years; he separated himself from a lot of the friends they had had. I suppose it was painful for him.”