-
Nutshell Reviews: The Painted Desert (1931)
Every February, I try my hardest to bring new (and hopefully interesting) content to this site, as a birthday celebration for Clark Gable. This year, I decided on something a little different. I am constantly asked what Gable films I would recommend. I started “Movie of the Month” four years ago, and I still have years to go before I have devoted a month to every one of Clark’s 66 credited roles. I also do those in a rather random order, zipping back and forth through the decades. So, in the meantime, this month on DearMrGable.com will serve as a sort of Clark Gable Filmography Bootcamp! So, starting today and in chronological…
-
Happy Birthday, Mr. Gable!
Today is Clark Gable’s 113th birthday! Instead of me describing the man and shouting his praises, let’s leave it to the people who actually knew him, shall we? Here are 113 quotes about Clark from his wives, his friends, his costars and his coworkers: 1. “The tough thing about describing Clark Gable is that there’s nothing bad to say.” ~director Mervyn Leroy 2. “I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather have for a friend than Clark Gable. He embodies all the qualities which are necessary for true friendship.” ~Jean Harlow 3. “He’s a man with millions of friends. And I’m proud to be one of them.” ~Spencer Tracy 4. “Clark Gable.…
-
Gossip Friday: Clark Gable, True Aquarius?
It’s Clark Gable’s birthday tomorrow! In October 1939, a fan magazine published a chart of different male stars and what their astrological signs meant about their personalities. It was meant as a guide for women: “Check up on the man in your life, and see whether he should be treated like a Robert Taylor of a Gary Cooper!” Clark was the representative for Aquarius. Outstanding Characteristics: Philosophical, independent, original. What Kind of a Husband Would He Make? Faithful but neither sentimental nor domesticated. Not recommended for romantic, possessive women. What Kind of Boss Would He Be? A good friend to his employees, and is strong for laor-saving devices. How He…
-
Gone with the Wednesday: The Gift of Rhett
Turns out Clark REALLY liked the sketch that Photoplay magazine did of him as Rhett Butler, that we posted last week. A few issues later, Ruth Waterbury, Photoplay‘s editor, wrote: …it was nothing to be photographed with Mr. Gable…though suffering with Mr. Gable is not actually the worst of all human agony… Clark had asked for that Vincentini portrait of himself as Rhett Butler that we ran in our October issue and though I was more than delighted to have him have it I had to see that PHOTOPLAY got something out of it too…so I asked that we get a shot of him receiving the drawing and they decided to…
-
Gossip Friday: Doing All Right for a Dead Man
From January 1938: Jokesters with a macabre sense of humor have been telephoning newspapers that well-known stars have died. Clark Gable was at Carole Lombard’s home when they heard the voice of a newsboy outside crying, “Extra! Extra! Clark Gable killed!” Clark was just kissing Carole good-bye as they heard it. “For a dead one, you’re doing all right,” Carole murmured. But suppose he hadn’t been there when she heard that cry!
-
Gone with the Wednesday: Photoplay Magazine Makes Their Choice For Rhett
In 1937, when the casting of Gone with the Wind was the #1 topic of debate, Photoplay magazine declared their choice for Rhett Butler loud and clear. Photoplay Throws Its Hat in the Ring Herewith we enter the Great Casting Battle of “Gone with the Wind,” because to our mind there is but one Rhett–Clark Gable. So sure we were of our choice that we had Vincentini paint this portrait of Clark as we see him in the role: cool, impertient, utterly charming. We like all the other handsome actors mentioned as Rhett–only we don’t want them as Rhett. We want Gable and we’re going to stick to that…
-
Gossip Friday: A Fan’s Plea to the Widower
A reader’s letter in a fan magazine, from August 1942: An Open Letter to Clark Gable Dear Clark, First of all, I want to extend to you my deepest sympathy. I can imagine, to some small degree, how much Carole meant to you, how you miss her cheery companionship, her contagious sportsmanship. We’ll all miss her—so please feel that we are eager to share your sorrow. But I want to ask you to think of us—the millions of your friends and hers—and beg you not to make that loss twofold. We can’t bring Carole back, but we can try to persuade you not to leave us. Won’t you please…
-
Remembering Carole Lombard
Carole Lombard Gable died 72 years ago today, in a horrific plane crash. She was 33 years old. It’s always difficult to realize that she died such a long time ago, as she always comes across as so modern. This memorial article from Hollywood magazine sums her up quite nicely. Rather than being sappy about her death, it is rather a tribute to the person that she was. “This Was Carole,” Hollywood magazine, April 1942: Carole Lombard was a great woman. The president of the United States paid tribute to her and the service she gave her country in time of need. International press associations wrote in praise of her and named…
-
Gone with the Wednesday: “I Was Afraid of Rhett Butler!”
One of the things I’ll be doing on “Gone with the Wednesdays” this year is revisiting the Gone with the Wind-themed articles in the archive. There are so many and I know that the archive is so hefty now that it is hard to find what you’re looking for sometimes. This article, “I Was Afraid of Rhett Butler!” appeared in Liberty magazine in February 1940 and is completely written by Clark Gable. It’s not very long so here it is in its entirety: Rhett Butler really put me on a spot, a hot one. Or rather Margaret Mitchell did when she created Rhett. I hope some day to have the privilege of…
-
Gossip Friday: Let’s Save Clark!
Letter to the editor, February 1934: Why will movie producers insist on re-making Clark Gable into a sweet, gentle lover? Every time I see one of his pictures I grow more disappointed. The women fell in love with him because he was a big, capable, protecting he-man. The men fell for him because he’s a man’s man. Then why make the screen’s mostperfect he-man into a sissy? Let’s keep him a caveman! Mary K. Jones 709 St. Claire Ave. Grosse Pointe, Mich.