Gossip Friday: Beard Protest

From April 1937:

Just a little publicity story sent out about Clark Gable wearing a beard in “Parnell” caused more of a furare than anything of a similar nature with the single exception of Marlene Dietrich’s determination to wear trousers a few years ago.

Mail was received from all parts of the United States, a great deal from fans, but some from barbers’ associations advising that the idea be dropped for fear of a falling off in the tansarial trade.

Also, it seems there are various bearded organizations in the United States which strongly advocated the idea.

After the stage play, there was nothing in particular to suggest that Gable go bearded, and so he decided in favor of just a mustache.

Gable later is to play in “Idiot’s Delight,” the Pulitzer prize play, probably with Garbo.

___

The whole “Gable won’t grow a beard” thing was very overplayed for publicity. And, of course, Garbo didn’t star with Clark in Idiot’s Delight. Norma Shearer did instead…doing a rather bad Garbo impression.