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Happy Birthday, Mr. Gable
Clark Gable was born 121 years ago today, on February 1, 1901, in Cadiz, Ohio. The only child of William and Adeline Gable, Clark or “Billy” as he was called growing up, would one day be one of the biggest movie stars in the world. And 121 years later, we still remember him. Director Mervyn LeRoy once said, “The tough thing about describing Clark Gable is that there’s nothing bad to say.” There was a general consensus around Hollywood that Clark was a stand-up guy–remarkably unpretentious and without an ounce of self-importance. A rare type of man whom men wanted to be friends with and women were automatically smitten with. A…
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Gossip Friday: Setting a Record
From November 1938: Clark Gable says he has set a record for osculation in the movies. He had to kiss four nurses in one sitting in “Idiot’s Delight.” But something went wrong with each take (I think I know why), and Clark had to do each scene with each girl ten times. “I’m not sure I liked it,” said Mr. Gable. I bet Miss Lombard doesn’t like it, either.
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Gossip Friday: So Much for that Resolution
From January 1955: Clark Gable’s resolution for 1955–to stay single. But if Kay Spreckels wants to change his mind–she’s the only gal who can do it. ____ And that she did, becoming the fifth Mrs. Gable in July of that year.
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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…
