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{Photos} Clark Gable and Carole Lombard at the Midget Races in 1936
As Clark Gable and Carole Lombard fans know, they starred together in 1932’s No Man of Her Own, got into an altercation at Jock Whitney’s Nervous Breakdown Party in 1936 which ended in a game of tennis, then sparks flew at the Mayfair Ball a few weeks later. She infamously gave him a painted Model T that Valentine’s Day and so a legendary Hollywood romance was born. They could only dodge the rumors for so long and in April, they were finally photographed out together as a couple. At a fancy premiere? A dazzling dinner party? Nope, these two were at the midget auto races at Gilmore Stadium in Los…
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Gossip Friday: Quite a Scare
From December 1937: Clark Gable and Carole Lombard had quite a scare recently when they thought that gangsters were following them. As the couple drove off from Carole’s home they noticed that they were followed by a car which had been parked near the star’s home. The mysterious motorists several times drove by Gable’s car, and the occupants, two young men, stared at the celebrities. Gable stepped on the petrol, and outdistanced the strangers. He had taken the precaution of noting the license number of the other car, which was reported to the police. The mystery was soon cleared up. The car was owned by a Glendale youth, of excellent…
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Happy Birthday, Carole Lombard!
Happy Birthday to dear Carole Lombard Gable, born today in 1908! I don’t think anyone has ever questioned why Clark Gable would fall for Carole. After all, who else but Carole… Looks adorable while putting on waders? And hunting gear? But yet can doll up and be the most glamorous woman in Hollywood? Stays very friendly with her ex-husband? Makes everyone laugh, even David Selznick? Beats up Robert Montgomery with roses? Makes no apologies for how much she loves her dogs? And goats? And horses? And chickens? Jumps fences in pajamas? Even makes a goofball out of Charles Laughton? Looks pretty no matter what face she makes? Made Clark Gable…
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Gossip Friday: Carole Strikes Again
From December 1936: Hollywood seems to spend most of its spare time practical joking. When Clark Gable arrived at a radio studio the other night to play George Washington in an air version of Valley Forge, he found his dressing room littered with cherry trees and miniature axes, while on the mirror was a sign proclaiming him the “Father of His Country.” It was suspected to be the work of Carole Lombard. Gable retorted by sending her a sixpenny pop-gun for her birthday.
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It’s Carole Lombard Month!
It’s that time of year again! For the sixth year running, October is Carole Lombard month on DearMrGable.com! That means Carole Lombard articles, Gossip Fridays, photos and more, so stay tuned!
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{In The News} Newly Widowed Kay Williams 1961-1963
We last left Clark Gable and Kay Williams Gable in late 1960. Clark died on November 16, 1960, and I am skipping over all the coverage of his illness and death as I have covered that before and it would get redundant–the subject at hand is Kay. You can read about Clark’s death and funeral here. So let’s pick up in January 1961, when Kay is newly widowed and an expectant mother. January 15, 1961: Gable’s Widow Gets Allowance Los Angeles–Clark Gable’s widow has a $5,000 monthly allowance from the actor’s estate to meet family expenses. The petition of former actress Kay Williams for this sum was approved in Superior…
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Gossip Friday: Ready to Sail
From 1948: When Clark Gable departed for his European vacation, the studio gang, who lunch with him daily, really gave him a send-off. They all wore sailor caps to the table. Clark’s place was banked with seasick remedies, water wings and one of those new envelope-sized French bathing suits. The one thing we know he didn’t take along with him, was a book titled “What Every Young Man Should Know!”
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{In The News} Clark Gable Marries Kay Spreckels 1955-1960
We pick up from our last installment and head into 1955, the year Clark and Kay married. January 3, 1955: Clark Gable Denies Kay Spreckels Romance Hollywood–Actor Clark Gable today denied rumors circulating in Hollywood that he plans to marry Kay Williams Spreckels, former wife of sugar heir Adolph B. Spreckels II. “There is absolutely nothing to it,” Gable said. “Kay and I have been friends for 15 years and that’s all.” Mrs. Spreckels also denied the report. Same date: Filmland Waits Gable’s Return To Find Out Whether He Eloped Hollywood awaited Clark Gable’s return to work on his current picture “Soldier of Fortune” today to find out whether…
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Gossip Friday: Practice Makes Perfect
From October 1937: Recently Clark Gable, in a picture, was required to crawl under a bed for a comedy scene. He tried it several times but with no success–the director didn’t like it. Exasperated, the director went through the whole scene, himself, to show Clark how it should be done. As he scrambled out from under the bed he said, “You see, Clark, there’s nothing to it–it’s an easy stunt.” “Yeah,” retorted Clark, “it’s easy for you–but look at all the practice you’ve had!” ___ It was actually under a couch–in Saratoga.
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{In the News} Kay Williams Divorces Adolph Spreckels, Dates Clark Gable Again 1951-1954
When we last left Kay, she was married to Adolph Spreckels Jr. and had just given birth to their second child. September 13, 1951: Fifth Wife Sues Spreckels Heir Los Angeles–The fifth wife of Adolph B. Spreckels II, 39-year-old heir to a sugar fortune, has sued him for divorce, alleging cruelty. The former Kay Williams, 33, who married Spreckels six years ago, asked the court in her suit yesterday to oust her estranged mate from the Bel Air mansion they occupy. She claims Spreckels persists in staying there although they became estranged September 5. Mrs. Spreckels, former actress, alleged in her complaint that her husband used physical violence on her…