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Remembering Carole Lombard, 80 Years Later
Carole Lombard died 80 years ago today when her plane crashed into Mount Potosi outside Las Vegas, Nevada. She was only 33 years old. The glamorous Lombard was born Jane Alice Peters in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on October 6, 1908, the only daughter of Elizabeth “Bessie” Peters and her husband Frederic. She had two older brothers. When her parents separated in 1914, Bessie moved the children to Los Angeles. Blonde, blue-eyed Jane made her first screen appearance at only twelve–a small part in “A Perfect Crime,” 1921. By the age of sixteen, she had signed with Fox, although only appeared in small bit parts. She adopted the more glamorous moniker…
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Gossip Friday: Quite a Cougar
From January 1934: Clark Gable was en route home today from a hunting trip through southern Utah. Gable shot a 200-pound cougar during the trip. The expedition also went through the Kanak area where Gary Cooper recently went hunting.
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{New Article} 1949: The Story Behind The Gable Legend
Here’s a new article from 1949. Most of the fan magazine articles about Clark in this post-WWII, late 1940’s period are all about who he’s dating and who will be the next Mrs. Gable. This one has actually has some nice quotes about Clark. It’s kind of funny that in 1949 there is an article trying to explain why Clark Gable has been popular for almost 20 years. Here we are, 90 years after his film debut, still talking about him! He’s launched a double-dozen young actresses to fame through being his leading lady. He’s been a man’s hero, too. No clotheshorse ever, when he wore turtlenecked sweaters, everybody started…
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Gossip Friday: Due for Trouble
From January 1955 (Hedda Hopper): Lana Turner, like Clark Gable, was born never to find happiness in marriage. I never see either of them out of the limelight until the curtain drops on them. They are both due for trouble in 1955 and should bide their time until 1956. ____ So much for that, since Clark married his fifth wife Kay Spreckels in July 1955.
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2021 in Review
Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but I am welcoming 2022 with open arms and pushing 2021 out the door! Here’s what was new around here in 2021: Articles: 1946: Are You the Girl for Clark Gable? 1942: Heart of a He-Man 1956: The Great Gable 1954: Gable and His Girls 1954: Please Don’t Talk About Me Also: In Memory of Carole Lombard Happy 120th Birthday, Clark Gable Salute to a Gallant Guy (Veterans Day) Remembering Clark Gable on the 61st Anniversary of His Death Also a Gossip Friday every week. Here’s hoping I get more articles up on the site in 2022 and I…
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Gossip Friday: No More Pranks
From December 1938: Clark Gable will swear off all gags aimed at Carole Lombard during the New Year–unless she starts it first, which will probably be at the stroke of the second after midnight New Year’s Eve.
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Gossip Friday: A Letter to Santa
From December 1941 (Truesdell): Santa Gets a Letter Asking Favors for Stars Dear Santa, Answering your wire of this morning, you will find below the report on the little boys and girls that you wanted. Please, Santa, keep this confidential because if it ever leaks out that I’m your Hollywood legman it will spoil our swell association of all these years. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard: It’s not that I’m lazy, but on these couples that I’m hooking together for a combination gift you can be sure that it’s exactly what they both want for the happiest holiday. I suppose you’re thinking that Clark and Carole have everything, and you’re…
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Gossip Friday: Rhett’s Command Performance
From January 1940: When Clark Gable and his wife, Carole Lombard, got home from their exciting trip to Atlanta for the premiere festivities of “Gone with the Wind,” Gable sank into his favorite chair, sighed, grinned and exclaimed: “Well, Mrs. G., here we are at home–and isn’t it wonderful? Now I know how kings feel when they finally get into their private suites and pull off their trappings, after reviewing the troops, laying a cornerstone and addressing the populace.” From first to last Gable has been doing a command performance. Frankly, he didn’t want to tackle the role of Rhett Butler. After all, the guy was a Southern renegade, a…
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Gossip Friday: Tossed for a Loop
From January 1938: Two of the presents Clark Gable gave to Carole Lombard were an English sheepdog and a two-seated motor scooter. When she was riding it Christmas night, the thing got out of control and tossed Carole for a loop. Wrecked her evening gown but did no damage to her person. After all those crazy comedies, falling off a scooter is child’s play to the star.
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Gossip Friday: Mrs. G. Says No Beards
From November 1941: In refusing to play a part calling for his wearing a beard, Clark Gable told the producer: “Mrs. G. doesn’t want me to wear a beard in a picture. She says beards are not romantic, women don’t like them.”
