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March Movie of the Month: Strange Interlude (1932)
“In order for us to fully understand his characters, Eugene O’Neill allows them to express their thoughts aloud. As in life, these thoughts are quite different from the words that pass their lips.” Such is the–I’ll call it a warning–at the beginning of Strange Interlude, a pre-code film that is indeed…strange. As a classic film lover, particularly of the 1930’s, I cringe when people refer to some classic films as “creaky.” But unfortunately that is the word I feel I must use to describe Strange Interlude–a film that has not aged well, a film that I would definitely not recommend to those new to classic film and wary of its…
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Gossip Friday: Buzzing about Mr. and Mrs. Clark Gable
From May 1932: The Monday following a recently notable Sunday, Hollywood was fairly buzzing with reports that the Clrk Gables had had a really serious disagreement–so serious, in fact, that the only ultimate outcome could be divorce. Some of us believed..and others didn’t, because ever since Clark has become so popular as a screen hero there have been rumors that all was not well in the Gable establishment. The Tuesday, after the Monday, after the Sunday, Gene Dennis, the girl-psychic wonder who’s been appearing on a local stage in Hollywood, was being interviewed by one of the magazine writers. The interviewer thought this a particularly good time to find out…
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{New Article} 1932: Would You Like to Be Mrs. Gable?
Does that seem like an easy question to answer? Surely not! This is mostly just a fluffy article detailing how hard it is to be Mrs. Gable since you are constantly haunted by feelings of self-doubt and jealousy while thousands of women pine after your man. It really could have been written about any of the married male stars of that era. Imagine the glowing sense of possession you would feel when you said “I want you to meet my husband…” and the thrill of pleasure that would go through you as some woman looked up into the face of Clark Gable. Imagine sharing a home with Clark Gable. Let…
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New in the Gallery Today
Some candids from the set of Key to the City: And Clark and Carole Lombard with Andy Devine: See more in the gallery.
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{Photos} Clark Gable and…
Some of my favorite finds when I am scouring through old fan magazines are candids of random stars together. “I never knew that Blank ever even met Blank!” I often think, particularly now during “awards show season”, how the generations to come won’t feel similar joy, since there are thousands of pictures taken at every red carpet event, awards show and party and so thus the surprise of seeing stars posing together has dwindled. Here are some shots of Clark with other Tinseltown folk… See more in the gallery.
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{New Article} 1957: She Calls Him “Pappy” But She Calls Him “Darling”
This article from 1957 focuses on a Clark Gable film that’s not often mentioned, The King and Four Queens. The main reason that it is not often mentioned is that it is quite bad. It was Clark’s first and only attempt at producing and it was a flop, therefore he retreated back into his happy rabbit hole of acting only. Kay accompanied Clark to Utah for the location shoot of the film. “Well,” the slim, blonde, suntanned woman asked Barbara Nichols, “what do you think of my old man?” “Do you really want me to tell you?” asked Barbara. The woman before her stiffened. Her blue eyes frosted over. “Why,…
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Oscar Night!
Since tonight is the Oscars, let’s look at the times Clark attended: February 27, 1935–Clark was nominated for It Happened One Night and did not expect to win. In fact nobody expected this little bus comedy from Columbia to walk away with Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Picture. The event was held in the Biltmore Bowl at the Biltmore Hotel and Clark reluctantly took Ria, even though he probably would have preferred the company of his latest mistress, Elizabeth Allan. The Gables arrived with Irving Thalberg, Norma Shearer, Helen Hayes and her husband Charles MacArthur. You can read about Clark’s only Oscar here. March 5,…
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Gossip Friday: Hedda Hopper’s Academy Awards
Since the Oscars are this weekend…. Famed classic Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper picks out her own “Superlative Academy Awards,” from March 1941 (I agree with the first one, anyway!): Best all-around man in Hollywood: Clark Gable, because he has more reality and virility than any other actor on the screen. And because off screen he’s one of the best balanced men in Hollywood, a swell companion and an all-around friend. Best all-around woman in Hollywood: Roz Russell, who’s had more hit pictures this last year than any other actress–because she’s the most civic-minded gal in town. She blends movies, society and citizenship. Most popular woman: Dame Rumor. Have you got…
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{New Article} Two Happy People Part IV
Here is the final installment of Movie and Radio Guide’s four part series on Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. Read Part Two here and Part Three here. I’m still hunting for Part One! Clark Gable’s favorite topic of conversation is Carole Lombard and her favorite topic is Gable. And that’s why we feel justified in calling this man and his wife two happy people. If they are not happy, then they are better performers at home than on the screen. In Hollywood, where gossiping is a profession and scandal-mongering is a craft, the Gables have been spared the darts that usually are hurled at the folks who live in the…
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New in the Gallery Today
New today in the gallery are: Several pictures of Clark and Ria… and various candids… Many more in the gallery.