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Gossip Friday: Devoted Mrs. Gable
From February 1941: More and more it’s becoming apparent in Hollywood that one movie career and one only in the family is the rule for happy marriage. With this so apparent, one smart girl, who loves her husband above all else, is taking steps in the right direction. Yes, Carole Lombard, who loves her husband Clark Gable so devotedly, has announced in the future she’ll make only one picture a year. “At the very most, I’ll make three in two years,” Carole said. “I want to be free to join Clark in his between picture vacations.” Maybe Carole has in mind that vacation Bob Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck have been…
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Nutshell Reviews: No Man of Her Own (1932)
In a Nutshell: No Man of Her Own (1932) Directed by: Wesley Ruggles Co-stars: Carole Lombard, Dorothy Mackaill, Grant Mitchell Synopsis: Gable is Jerry “Babe” Stewart, a crooked card shark on the run from a police investigator when he stops in on the sleepy small town of Glendale. There he meets the bored town librarian, Connie Randall (Lombard) who is just waiting for something exciting to happen to her. Their attraction is instant, although she tries to play hard to get. On the flip of a coin, they get married and she accompanies him back To New York, unaware of his seedy occupation. When she does figure out how he…
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Gone with the Wednesday: Clark Gives the Latest News on Gone with the Wind
On December 10, 1939, Clark Gable appeared on The Silver Theater radio show, in a performance called “For Richer, For Richer.” At the end of his performance, the host asked him for the latest news on Gone with the Wind. Clark talks about how he is flying down to Atlanta to be there for the premiere on Friday. Listen here! GWTWSilverTheater121039
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Nutshell Reviews: Red Dust (1932)
In a Nutshell: Red Dust (1932) Directed by: Victor Fleming Co-stars: Jean Harlow, Mary Astor, Gene Raymond Synopsis: Gable is Dennis Carson, a rubber plantation owner in Indochina. His no-nonsense way of life is interrupted by the arrival of Lily, or “Vantine” (Harlow), a sassy prostitute from Saigon who is on the run from the law and wants to lay low for a while. They clash at first but soon are bedfellows. Just as Vantine leaves, overseer Gary Willis (Raymond) and his lovely wife, Barbara (Astor) arrive. Vantine’s boat wrecks and when she returns to the plantation, she finds that Dennis now only has eyes for Barbara. Heartbroken, she watches…
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Nutshell Reviews: Hell Divers (1931) and Polly of the Circus (1932)
In a Nutshell: Hell Divers (1931) Directed by: Richard Boleslawski Co-stars: Wallace Beery, Dorothy Jordan, Marie Prevost Synopsis: Gable is Steve Nelson, a budding Navy pilot constantly at odds with Windy Riker (Beery), who has been in the service for years and has no patience for newbies. When Windy stages a farce that makes Steve’s girl Ann (Jordan) leave him, their relationship becomes hostile and costs one of them their position in the Navy. Best Gable Quote: “Say, there isn’t another girl in the world for me but you.. Never has been and never will be.” Fun Fact: Gable was in the midst of a heated affair with Joan Crawford…
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Nutshell Reviews: Susan Lenox: Her Fall and Rise (1931) and Possessed (1931)
In a Nutshell: Susan Lenox: Her Fall and Rise (1931) Directed by: Robert Z. Leonard Co-stars: Greta Garbo Synopsis: Garbo is Susan (born Helga), an illegitimate orphan raised in shame by her aunt and her cruel husband, who treats her like a slave. He picks a man for her to marry “so you won’t be without a wedding ring like your mother”. When the man tries to rape her, she runs away in a rainstorm, seeking shelter in a barn owned by architect Rodney (Gable). Rodney lets her stay with him and soon they are in love. When he leaves for a business trip, her uncle finds her and she…
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Gossip Friday: Gable Fever!
Letter to the Editor, February 1932: “Clark Gable! Clark Gable! Clark this–and Clark that!” I got tired of hearing my friends rave about him and went to find out what it was all about. I expected to see just another “great lover.” Wow! That guy just about knocked me out of my seat! A wonderful personality, marvelous actor and the most “exciting” person on the screen! That Gable will be as great as Valentino if given half a chance and the other had better look out for their laurels. No fooling! He’s a one hundred per cent man. “Now I’ve got the “Gables,” too! Everybody’s got the Gable fever! Mary…
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Nutshell Reviews: A Free Soul (1931)
In a Nutshell: A Free Soul (1931) Directed by: Clarence Brown Co-stars: Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, Lionel Barrymore Synopsis: Gable is Ace Wilfong, a gangster on trial for murder being represented by upper class defense attorney Stephan Ashe (Barrymore). Stephan, while successful as an attorney, is an alcoholic who is frequently an embarrassment to his family, including his high spirited daughter, Jan (Shearer), who catches Ace’s eye at their first meeting. Stephan gets Ace cleared of the charges and Ace starts pursuing Jan once he is free, much to the chagrin of Jan’s stuffy fiancé, Dwight (Leslie Howard). Jan is quickly swept up into a passionate affair with Ace, excited…
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Nutshell Reviews: The Finger Points (1931), The Secret Six (1931) and Laughing Sinners (1931)
In a Nutshell: The Finger Points (1931) Directed by: John Francis Dillon Co-stars: Richard Barthelmess, Fay Wray Synopsis: Barthelmess is Breckenridge Lee, a naive Southerner who comes to New York to be a newspaperman. It isn’t long before his innocence falls victim to gangsters, under the wing of tough guy Louis Blanco (Gable). He begins taking bribes and covering up stories for them. Breck’s girl, Marcia (Wray), urges him to go straight before it is too late. Best Gable Quote: “Double-crossing is very unhealthy in this town. Do you feel well?” Fun Fact: Clark filmed scenes for The Finger Points, Night Nurse and The Easiest Way simultaneously. My Verdict: Clark is…
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Nutshell Reviews: The Easiest Way (1931) and Dance Fools Dance (1931)
In a Nutshell: The Easiest Way (1931) Directed by: Jack Conway Co-stars: Constance Bennett, Adolphe Menjou, Robert Montgomery, Anita Page Synopsis: In this scandalous pre-code, Lolly Murdock (Bennett) is a young woman anxious to escape her impoverished family. She quickly realizes that the easiest way to do that is by being “kept” by rich men. She begins an affair with afluent businessman William (Menjou), who keeps her in furs and expensive jewels. Although this brings her the riches and lifestyle she has always dreamed of, it alienates her from the man she really loves (Montgomery) and her family. Especially her sister, Peg (Page), who married hard-working blue collar Nick (Gable),…