Gossip Friday: The Fans Battle It Out–Gable vs. Novarro

From February 1933:

….I beg to be allowed to take up [the fan battle between Gable and Novarro fans].  In their foolish outbursts, pro and con, they have neglected to use the one effective weapon of all–I refer them to the criterion of the show business-Variety, a magazine that does not deal in conjectures, but cold hard facts and statistics.

In the list of ten most popular players, Clark Gable’s name is prominently displayed, while Novarro’s is not included. In the list of then ten greatest movie-making and box office stars, Clark’s name is there again–but where, oh where, is Novarro’s?

Variety also lists Clark Gable as “MGM’s greatest male attraction” and in grading them gives him an “A” and Novarro a “B.” However, as there were mighty few “A’s,” the Novarro fans should not be too despondent, and as for the Gableites, well, we’re not bragging, we’re just proud.

In the face of all this reliable statistical information, it might be wise for the Novarro fans to cease shouting “Clark Gable will never be as great a favorite as Novarro.” He is now ten times greater!

Bravo, Clark, old boy! When it comes down to cold, hard facts, you’re there with the good every time. We’re proud of you.

-Mary Margaret

Mimico, Ontario, Canada

From June 1933:

This is a reply to Mary Margaret’s letter, which appeared in [this magazine] in February.

In exalting her own idol, this particular Gabeite has evidently forgotten a most important fact: that Novarro has been a star for nearly eleven years. If Variety so much as mentions Clark Gable ten years hence, then, and only then, will his fans have just cause to boast that he is as great a favorite as Novarro. I am willing to wager, however, that in less than five years Mr. Gable will have taken that inevitable toboggan ride into oblivion.

One writer’s opinion regarding Gable’s sudden ride to popularity may interest you:  “Gable is not a great actor. He has risen above the mob by sheer force of personality. He plays not upon the intellects of his audience but upon its emotions.”

That seems to be a fairly reasonable explanation. Gable exerts a purely elemental influence over his fans.

In decided contrast, we have Novarro–cultured, refined, a man who has always been an inspiration in the true sense of the word. The two are direct opposites in every way, so it is entirely a matter of taste.

Yes, we Novarro fans are proud of our idol. We have every reason to be. And we’ll be singing his praises long after Gable has passed into the limbo of forgotten stars.

-Coral D. Winter

3691 West King Edward Avenue

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

From September 1933:

To Coral D. Winter: Just because Novarro has been a star for nearly eleven years doesn’t prove anything. Clark Gable is more popular than Novarro, and records show it. You have no proof that Ramon still will be, and Clark won’t be a star five to ten years from now, have you? If Gable has risen above the mob by sheer force of his personality, give him credit for it. And if you doubt his acting ability, see “The White Sister,”  and you’ll speedily change your mind about that. Mind you, I haven’t anything against Ramon Novarro. He is everything you say. But if I had to choose between him and Gable, my choice would always be the latter.

-“San Francisco”

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Well, Coral Winter, I’m sorry but you lost your bet–quite badly. Ten years later, in 1943, Clark Gable was one of the biggest stars on the planet, had starred in the biggest box office picture of all time and would continue working steadily until his death nearly thirty years later, dying just ten days after completing his final picture. By 1933, Novarro’s golden days were already behind him. His career was one of many that stalled when silents went to the wayside. Novarro worked here and there throughout the decades, but never regained the star status he had in the 1920’s.