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{New Article} 1957: She Calls Him “Pappy” But She Calls Him “Darling”
This article from 1957 focuses on a Clark Gable film that’s not often mentioned, The King and Four Queens. The main reason that it is not often mentioned is that it is quite bad. It was Clark’s first and only attempt at producing and it was a flop, therefore he retreated back into his happy rabbit hole of acting only. Kay accompanied Clark to Utah for the location shoot of the film. “Well,” the slim, blonde, suntanned woman asked Barbara Nichols, “what do you think of my old man?” “Do you really want me to tell you?” asked Barbara. The woman before her stiffened. Her blue eyes frosted over. “Why,…
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Oscar Night!
Since tonight is the Oscars, let’s look at the times Clark attended: February 27, 1935–Clark was nominated for It Happened One Night and did not expect to win. In fact nobody expected this little bus comedy from Columbia to walk away with Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Picture. The event was held in the Biltmore Bowl at the Biltmore Hotel and Clark reluctantly took Ria, even though he probably would have preferred the company of his latest mistress, Elizabeth Allan. The Gables arrived with Irving Thalberg, Norma Shearer, Helen Hayes and her husband Charles MacArthur. You can read about Clark’s only Oscar here. March 5,…
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Gossip Friday: Hedda Hopper’s Academy Awards
Since the Oscars are this weekend…. Famed classic Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper picks out her own “Superlative Academy Awards,” from March 1941 (I agree with the first one, anyway!): Best all-around man in Hollywood: Clark Gable, because he has more reality and virility than any other actor on the screen. And because off screen he’s one of the best balanced men in Hollywood, a swell companion and an all-around friend. Best all-around woman in Hollywood: Roz Russell, who’s had more hit pictures this last year than any other actress–because she’s the most civic-minded gal in town. She blends movies, society and citizenship. Most popular woman: Dame Rumor. Have you got…
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{New Article} Two Happy People Part IV
Here is the final installment of Movie and Radio Guide’s four part series on Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. Read Part Two here and Part Three here. I’m still hunting for Part One! Clark Gable’s favorite topic of conversation is Carole Lombard and her favorite topic is Gable. And that’s why we feel justified in calling this man and his wife two happy people. If they are not happy, then they are better performers at home than on the screen. In Hollywood, where gossiping is a profession and scandal-mongering is a craft, the Gables have been spared the darts that usually are hurled at the folks who live in the…
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New in the Gallery Today
New today in the gallery are: Several pictures of Clark and Ria… and various candids… Many more in the gallery.
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{Photos} Reading Up
Having never finished high school, Clark was very sensitive to the fact that he never had a formal education. He didn’t ever want to be considered ignorant or unknowledgable and so…he was always reading. His widow, Kay, said he averaged “a book a day” and in his estate auction were dozens of books. Clark was often catching up on the newspaper or cramming in a chapter or two on set.
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{New Article} 1936: Is Carole Lombard in Love at Last?
Is Carole Lombard in love at last? What a question for this article in 1936 to ask! At this point, their romance was new and one of the most exciting topics in Tinsel Town. This article basically recaps Carole’s romantic exploits. After the demise of her marriage to Bill Powell: All Powell would say was, “For Carole and me there simply was no married life.” Their story that there had been no quarrel was accepted by Hollywood as true—and their conduct after Carole returned abundantly confirmed it. Divorce seemed to make little or no difference to the friendly relations between them. The very first night after her return, Gloria Swanson…
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New Around Here
As you have noticed by now, the site has a whole new look and that would not have been possible without Kendra of vivandlarry.com. A huge thank you to her and her brilliantness! I still have some updating to do–for instance, the radio shows don’t all work yet–but all will be done soon. Cleaning off my desk this week… New reviews posted on the pages for Hell Divers, Polly of the Circus, Forsaking All Others, Call of the Wild, China Seas, San Francisco, Cain and Mabel and Test Pilot. When I found the review for Test Pilot (a very favorable one), next to it was a review for Carole Lombard’s…
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Gossip Friday: Get Tough!
From October 1938: Are you preparing for the future–as are many of Hollywood’s biggest stars? A future so far removed from their present lucrative contracts, luxurious homes, and assured box office appeal that it may contain political upheavals, war, poverty and even the wiping out of the picture industry as it stands now? Just a few years ago, wise little stars prepared for the future by saving their salaries, establishing trust funds, creating estates. Today the answer is not so simple! Clark Gable told me: “I’d rather be able to take care of myself in a wilderness, with only limited camping equipment, than have $100,000 in the banks! Banks can…
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{New Article} 1961: The Secret Clark Gable and Kay Never Shared
Obviously, if you take a gander at the Article Archive, I am a vintage magazine junkie. I scour Ebay and antique stores and love nothing more than when I find some obscure Gable candid or article nestled in the yellowing pages of a seventy year old magazine. Most of my magazines are from the 1930’s. Clark was top dog then and I know that I can snatch up any magazine, any issue, any year from about 1934-1941 and they’ll be at least one picture, gossip items and, if I’m lucky, an article. By the time Clark returned from war, after the initial “he’s back!” hubbub, the coverage of him lessened…