Saturday, July 12, 2014

Clark Gable marries Kay Williams July 1955

Clark Gable marries Kay Williams July 11, 1955

Minden, NV: "Gable, appearing very formal in a dark blue suit and his bride wearing a chic tan suit were uncommunicative before and after the ceremony. Fisher said the actor said only 'I do' and both were unusually quiet.

"'Afterwards Mr. Gable took her in his arms and kissed her,' he said, 'I don't know for how long but pretty long. Maybe two or three seconds -- a good kiss.'" -- The Star-News July 12, 1955


"The marriage climaxed 13 years of friendship between the 54 year old Gable and Miss Williams, 37 whose battles in court and otherwise with her former husband millionaire playboy Adolph Spreckels II made Hollywood history. ...
 

"They got their marriage license only minutes before appearing before Justice of the Peace Walter Fisher. 
Kay Williams Ziegfeld Follies Original 8x10" Photo
"They were accompanied by Mrs. Elizabeth Williams Nessar of Los Angeles and Mr. and Mrs. Albert S. Menasco of St. Helena Calif. Mrs. Nessar was matron of honor and Menasco was the best man.

"Gable has a cabin at Lake Tahoe where he often spends weekends hunting and fishing in early summer. He established residence there three years ago to obtain a divorce from his fourth wife, Lady Sylvia Ashley. 
Clark Gable Original photo
on Set The Misfits


"Gable and Miss Williams made headlines in 1951 when Spreckels testified in a pre-divorce trial hearing that she told him she had been intimate with Gable. Miss Williams denied the accusations."
-- The Times-News, July 12, 1955


The marriage is his fifth and her third. Miss Williams has two children by Spreckels. It was a double ring ceremony.  


"Albert and Mrs. Nessar were witnesses to the ceremony which he performed in his living room, the justice said. He said the couple refused to discuss future plans. 

"Gable just grunted and walked out when I asked if they were going back to Reno, Justice Fisher said. -- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 12, 1955

Justice of the Peace Walt Fisher appeared on the July 17, 1955 episode of What's My Line. He'd recently married the Clark Gables.




First: G. W. (Walt) Fisher - "Justice of the Peace (Married the Clark Gables This Week)" They simply rang the doorbell, nothing was planned in advance

Other contestants on the show: Mrs. Eva Shular who Operates Pool Room in Chesley, Ontario, Canada. Mystery Guest was Fred Allen 

Photo Albums, choose from several colors
Good Ratings, looks like it will take different sizes of photos


Related Pages of Interest: 

The Misfits: 1961 The Final Film of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable and The Christening of Clark Gable's Son, video and info 

William Powell and Carole Lombard

Clark Gable left his jacket at your place: Auctions, costumes and more 

Academy Awards, Movie Memorabilia, Auctions, Selling and Returning

George Burns vs. Clark Gable: Gracie's Plan, OTR Old Time Radio, The Hucksters; Burns & Allen

Monday, July 7, 2014

Heterochromia Different Colored Eyes

Heterochromia
Two different color eyes : Celebrities with 2 different color eyes 

Heterochromia iridum: A term usually used to mean having two different
photo of white cat with 2 different color eyes magnet
Khao Manee
White Kitten Magnet
colored eyes, different colored irises in the eyes. It's less common in humans but more common in dogs, cats and horses. Odd eyes can happen to anyone. 


You're apt to see it in Dalmatians and Australian sheep dogs. In cats it's common in the Khao Manee and it can be seen in the Turkish Van.

Trauma or disease can change the color of an eye. Contact a medical professional if you notice a change in your eye(s) that has you concerned.

Heterochromia may also mean a person has different colors of skin or hair, including eyelashes. I read of one doctor who had a patient who had different color eyelashes as well as irises in the eyes. (see below)

Different Colored Eyes Day is celebrated annually on July 12th.

Photo of actress Kay Francis
What Kay Francis thinks of the whole topic
8x10" Photo

I can't find information on Kay Francis' having heterochromia. Articles tend to say she had grey or blue eyes. Having different colored eyes would probably not have been advertised or noted back in the early days of cinema.

Also couldn't find an Alice Eve or Mila Kunis photo where it was visible, though they are on several lists.

From article, lower right: "... A beautiful blonde who had a blue eye with blonde lashes and a brown eye with black lashes on the other..."
clip of article about heterochromia eyes, eyelashes 1960s
Doctor speaking about
The Children's Castle Helsinki,
Finland. The Spokesman-Review,
June 7, 1965

How many people do you know with green eyes? Is this more common in people who have lighter eyes? Do these stars have mismatched eyes?

Celebrities said to have Heterochromia:

Gracie Allen one blue and one green
Kiefer Sutherland blue and green
Joe Pesci one blue one green 
Josh Henderson green and blue 
Michael Flatley one blue and one green

Dan Aykroyd brown and hazel
Jane Seymour one brown and one hazel

Demi Moore one green one hazel

Kate Bosworth blue and hazel
Christopher Walken blue and hazel

Norma Eberhardt brown and blue
Max Scherzer blue and brown
Alice Eve brown and blue
Tim McIlrath brown and blue
Pacho O’Donnell blue and brown?

Mila Kunis one green and one brown
 

Kiefer Sutherland color autographed photo
Kiefer Sutherland Autographed Signed 11x14 Photo PSA DNA
Hard to tell in most photos
Kiefer Sutherland, son of actor Donald Sutherland, is an actor and producer. He has appeared in films and television shows and lent his voice to to movies, TV shows and popular video games. Stand by Me and The Lost Boys are some of his famous films. 

He has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame and also on the Hollywood Walk of Fame where his star is near that of his father both with the address, 7024 Hollywood Blvd.

Gracie Allen:

"Gracie had two different color eyes. One eye was green the other was blue. Of course it didn't matter - on radio they were the same color and on black and white television."  

Early photo of Gracie Allen
Gracie Allen


Gracie Allen retired in 1958, leaving the Burns & Allen TV show. This was when television was switching to color and there was talk that she retired due to sensitivity about her eye color being seen on camera. She also had significant health issues, including having had a mild heart attack. 

It seems this was the real reason for her retirement. George Burns, by the way, had blue eyes and brown hair. Eventually he had grey hair. Then on top he had little hair so he had Promotional photo Burns and Allenstore-bought grey hair....

Gracie Allen had a scar on her arm that was due to an accident she'd had with a pot of boiling water when she was a very young child. She always wore dresses that had 3/4 length sleeves and was never seen in public without that arm's being covered. 

Even in a film like The Big Broadcast of 1937 when she was dancing in a toga, Gracie had a scarf situated so it covered that arm. 

In George Burns' book they said the injury was so bad that they thought at the time she might lose her arm. It's very difficult to find a photo where you get a hint of her different colored eyes. Gracie died from a heart attack in 1964 at the age of 58.

I read somewhere that someone back in the 1940s-50s wondered if she had something to do with drugs because her arms were always covered?! When you look at newspaper fashion reports of the 1930s and 40s, her name is often mentioned alongside the glamorous movie stars, telling what Gracie was wearing.


Abigail Van Buren column letter about different eye colors
Advice columnists Abigail Van Buren and Dear Abby received letters
from young people who were embarrassed because they
had two different colored eyes. They would often mention the names of
celebrities who also had different colored eyes. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Just one more of the many things eye-related that may worry a teen or tween is known as blepharospasm (excessive blinking and spasming of the eyes). This may be due to particularly dry eyes or those that are very sensitive to light.

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Cumberbatch has a case which is called Central Heterochromia, displaying two colors in the iris. Some also refer to this as Sectoral Heterochromia or Sectoral Hypochromia but others reserve these terms for non-humans, such as cats and dogs, etc. 

This gets a nickname, Cat Eyes. Note: these terms wouldn't normally be capitalized. With Benedict Cumberbatch, the outer part of his iris is blue while the inner part is more golden green. 

Simon Pegg, "blue-grey with brown areas" may also fit into this category.



Trauma to the eye, Changes in eye color:

"Trauma to the eye, whether accidental or surgical, can change eye color by changing the content of the pigment in the iris. 
Some David Bowie Posters
accentuate his eyes - he knows
different is good

"An injury to certain nerves in the upper chest or neck can result in a condition known as Horner's syndrome. 

"Here a lightening in iris color occurs in the affected eye. People are sometimes born with this condition. 

"A more recent cause for change in eye color has been the use of new types of medication in the treatment of glaucoma. .... 

"The natural aging process can cause certain conditions to occur which can change eye color."
 


-- Dr. John P. Nairn Jr. MD Ophthalmology, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 7, 2002

David Bowie:



Snip of article about David Bowie's eyes, color pupils
Young David Bowie and his friend were fighting over a girl, the story goes.
A punch in the eye left one of his pupils permanently dilated. Bowie's eyes also appear to be different colors.




Related Pages of Interest

Celebrity family members who have Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars near one another

You remind me of a man, copyright and short phrases: Cary Grant and Myrna Loy, David Bowie...

Who taught Paul Henreid to light 2 cigarettes at once for Now, Voyager? Bette Davis or Gracie Allen? 

Books:

The books on Kay Francis both get good reviews from readers and both available digitally for eReaders such as the Kindle

Gracie, A Love Story by George Burns
  
This one has gotten some good reviews recently Kay Francis - I Can't Wait To Be Forgotten - Her Life on Film and Stage by Scott O'Brien with foreward by Robert Osborne 

Kay Francis: A Passionate Life and Career by Lynn Kear and John Rossman 


For kids with eye conditions, children who feel different & need support:

All Children Have Different Eyes: Learn to Play and Make Friends....Starring Tommy with Nystagmus (wobbly eyes) and Wendy with Strabismus (crossed eyes) 

The Patch A child must wear a patch over one eye. What will the other kids think?

 
colored contact lenses, prescription lenses
Some facts about AC Lens
* AC Lens is a full-service, direct delivery contact lens supply company
* They we ship lenses to all 50 US states as well as Europe, South America and the Far East
* All major brands and contact lenses are at 50-70% below retail.
* All contact lenses dispensed by AC Lens are the exact lenses prescribed by your doctor
* Lenses are delivered to you in safe, sealed containers direct from the manufacturer.
* There is a 30-day money back guarantee
Image shown is of Golden Twilight Contact Lenses manufactured by Marietta Vision "Golden Twilight Contacts are golden amber in color with a cut out center."
"All Special Effects contact lenses have a 38% water content and are sold as one lens per vial."
Prescription Help Whether you have your prescription or not. They can phone the doctor. A prescription is required for all FX lens purchase. There is a sample contact lens prescription so you'll know what's needed. A Circle of Excellence Gold Honoree : Shopzilla

For a make-up artist, model or to wear for a performance or holiday sometimes we'd like to know how to change eye color.
"Perfect for a Halloween costume, theatrical productions, novelty contact lens, cosmetic eye changes and for parties year round." All lenses carry a money back guarantee for unopened or defective lenses
Try Special Effects Contact Lenses, turn your eyes a different color or go all out and get something like Special Effects Black and White Spiral Contact Lenses: Remember the opening of Twilight Zone??

-- Sources: Thanks to the book, Gracie, A Love Story by George Burns,
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rome News-Tribune, BBC News, mentalfloss.com, wikipedia and other research
.
Because this list was culled from different sources, the information may not be entirely accurate.
 

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor watches and sapphires 1930s

Keeping time with Barbara Stanwyck
and Robert Taylor


Robert Taylor Barbara Stanwyck
Original Vintage Transparency
Rare Photo
Fans spent several years watching what would happen with Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck. Couldn't she have a dance with the man at a club without all the papers saying she was engaged to the man, she would ask.

This brief article covers their wedding, gifts of jewelry and their delayed honeymoon. Video interview regarding Ms. Stanwyck's relationship with Robert Taylor.

Ms. Stanwyck was divorced from comedian Frank Fay in 1935 and rumors were that she and Taylor were an item. December 1936-January 1937, she was filming Internes Can't Take Money with Joel McCrea and Lloyd Nolan. Taylor was making Personal Property with Jean Harlow.

One of her Christmas gifts to Taylor was an impressive gold wristwatch which he was showing off on his film set when they got back to work after the holidays. Harlow was showing off the 152 carat star sapphire given to her by boyfriend, William Powell.

Despite Bob's ring, Barbara snubs cupid
"Recent interviews with Barbara Stanwyck would lead one to believe that marriage is off her program. This despite the new diamond and sapphire ring which Robert Taylor has just placed on that right finger. 


"Says Miss Stanwyck, 'It is possible to succeed in motion pictures when married
Barbara Stanwyck 8x10 Photo
but those who are single have a greater chance to go places. I personally believe that I will remain single as long as I am in motion pictures.'"
-- The Milwaukee Sentinel March 27, 1937


Sapphires in 1937 ...
December 1937, reporters kept their eyes open for stars making holiday purchases....
"Dropping into one of the small exclusive shops in Beverly hills, I saw the great Garbo herself buying a man's wrist watch and a dozen necklaces. Now who was that watch for? ... 

"Veree Teasdale interested in a set of emerald and platinum studs for her husband Adolphe Menjou. ...
 

"Barbara Stanwyck buying star sapphire shirt studs for Bob Taylor in England."
-- The Sydney Morning Herald December 7, 1937


Barbara Stanwyck Dennis Morgan Christmas in Connecticut

Married in 1939
When Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck married in May 1939, the bride wore navy blue silk. Taylor gave her a gold band ring encircled with rubies. They were married at midnight by a justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Zeppo Marx were there. Mrs. Marx was Stanwyck's matron of honor.

They'd driven to San Diego and waited until after midnight to marry because they were superstitious. It was the thirteenth. Neither wanted to wed on the 13th so they waited until the 14th to marry.
-- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 15, 1939 

It's looking like blue was a popular color for brides in the 1930s and 1940s.
 

Robert Taylor, Barbara Stanwyck Forbidden vacation in Europe

August 1939, the couple defiantly announced that they were going to honeymoon in Europe, "war or no war." The studio stepped in and insisted their stars could not have these vacations. Robert Taylor would have to get to work with Hedy Lamarr. 


Europe war clouds menace movie stars

Clipping about Robert Taylor-Barbara Stanwyck postponing honeymoon 1939

"It wasn't until war actually started that Taylor finally gave up."
-- The Pittsburgh Press, September 26, 1939

In September 1939 Germany invaded Poland. WW2 was beginning.

September 3, 1939 France and Britain declare war on Germany:
"Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, announced the British deadline for the withdrawal of German troops from Poland has expired. 


"He said the British ambassador to Berlin had handed a final note to the German government this morning saying unless it announced plans to withdraw from Poland by 1100, a state of war would exist between the two countries. 

"Mr Chamberlain continued: 'I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received and consequently this country is at war with Germany.'"
-- excerpt from BBC News

December 7, 1941 hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. 

December 11, 1941, the United States Congress declared war upon Germany, in response to that nation's declaration of war following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and only hours after Germany declared war on the United States.
-- Conf This Day in History, WWII The History Channel


Another Watch for Barbara
Every year since they became a acquainted Robert Taylor has given her some sort of a gift with a watch in it. The first Christmas it was a wrist watch, the second a ring watch and Christmas 1941, it will be a handsome leather purse with a watch insert. Inside will be an unstated number and denomination of United States Defense bonds.
-- The Spokesman-Review, December 24, 1941 Spokane, WA

Do you and your significant other give similar gifts each birthday or holiday?

In June 1941, Barbara and Robert would leave their hand and foot imprints and their signatures, "We love you!" in the cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater.

A Really Personalized Watch Idea ... That's so 1930s ...
"A novel gift from his wife, June Collyer is carried about by Stuart Erwin. A watch on the face of watch appear the letters of his name instead of numerals."  Erwin, who later appeared on such TV shows as Perry Mason and The Donna Reed Show was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1940 for his performance in Our Town.
-- quote from The Schenectady Gazette, November 11, 1933

June Collyer's brother was Bud Collyer first host of TV game show To Tell the Truth. He also famously played Clark Kent and Superman on radio and in animated short subjects.

Honeymoon in 1947



In 1947 Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor finally got to Europe sailing aboard the Queen Mary. Some reporters called it their second honeymoon, but they said "It's really our first honeymoon."



Also sailing with them were entertainers such as Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Some parts of these newsreels are duplicate, but some not.


AFI, American Film Institute Tribute; Mr. Robert Wagner


Her Titanic costar, Robert Wagner was among those who spoke at the American Film Institute salute to Stanwyck, when she was awarded the Life Achievement Award in 1987.

Barbara Stanwyck didn't marry again after she and Taylor divorced in 1951. She did go on to have other significant relationships. One of them was an affair with the actor Robert Wagner. This happened before his marriage to actress, Natalie Wood. Wagner writes of his relationship with Stanwyck in his memoir, Pieces of My Heart.

Robert Wagner spoke of his love affair with Barbara Stanwyck in an interview.



Visage Collection - Barbara Stanwyck - The Eyes Poster
Visage Collection - Barbara Stanwyck - The Eyes Poster by VinylzArt
Check out Visage Posters online
Choose size, paper type, framed, unframed at zazzle

Vintage Billie Dove Photograph Keychains
Vintage Billie Dove Photograph Keychains by SaraSteingraber
Shop for Billie dove Keychains online at Zazzle.com

Books and Related Pages of Interest:

Jean Harlow receives a 152 carat sapphire from William Powell

National Film Registry, Amazing Shadows, Baby Face with Barbara Stanwyck

Sapphire, Emerald engagement rings: Princesses, movie stars Old and New Hollywood

Homemade Halloween Costumes: 5 Famous TV Moms, Victoria Barkley The Big Valley; quick and easy last minute costumes
 
A Life of Barbara Stanwyck: Steel-True 1907-1940

Robert Taylor - A Biography by Charles Tranberg, includes an introduction by the actor's son, Terry Taylor.  His mother is Taylor's second wife, Ursula Thiess.

Ursula Thiess wrote an autobiography, But I Have Promises to Keep: My Life Before, With and After Robert Taylor

Sunday, June 29, 2014

The Misfits Final film of Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe 1961

The Misfits 1961
Actors' Final Films, Final Performances

Directed by John Huston, the 1961 movie, The Misfits starred Clark Gable,
The Misfits
Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift, Thelma Ritter and Eli Wallach.
There is a lot outside of the movie itself that makes it noteworthy. It would be the final film for both Gable and Monroe. It opened February 1, 1961.

This page includes the baptism of Clark Gable's son, November 1961; news, videos. Also information on the deaths of Tyrone Power, Sr. and Tyrone Power, Jr. The final films of father and son.

The Hollywood community stuck together. The creative people in the movie industry formed lasting friendships. The actors, directors, writers, designers and craftspeople helping one another through tragedies. 

The film was written by Monroe's then (1961) ex-husband, Arthur Miller. Monroe and Miller had married in 1956. Miller had been her third husband after James Dougherty and baseball great, Joe DiMaggio.

Reviewers praised Gable's performance in The Misfits. "His role is a character he and all his fans loved best -- a lusty, virile cowpoke who hunted wild horses by day and wild women at night. Some of his love scenes with Marilyn are torrid
Clark Gable photo
reminders of the old Gable and Jean Harlow movies of the '30s. ....


Also, they talked about the grueling schedule, conditions in the hot Nevada desert and his tragic death.

"Gable shot the final scenes of the movie last Nov. 4, suffered a heart attack two days later and died 10 days after that."
 --The Ocala Star-Banner (Florida), January 24, 1961

Clark Gable died November 16, 1960 at the age of 59. The film was released after his death. 

Gable had been working with Jean Harlow on Saratoga when she suddenly and unexpectedly died. The film had to be completed with stand-ins and lookalikes back in 1937.

Newspaper article, 1961 review The Misfits pt.1
Newspaper article, 1961 review The Misfits pt.2


Per his wishes, his wife had his body interred in The Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park beside his third wife, Carole Lombard. Mrs Gable said a third tomb adjacent to her husband's had been reserved for herself. Kay Williams Gable died in 1983. They are near the bodies of Irving Thalberg, Florenz Ziegfeld, Will Rogers and Jean Harlow.

Gable received full military honors at his funeral honoring his service as an air runner in bombing missions during World War II. His wife, Kay Williams Gable, was pregnant and gave birth to their son after Gable's death.

News reports talked of his heart disease but his wife also had heart problems. As she was pregnant, people kept watch on her and she was able to deliver her baby successfully to everyone's relief and delight.

Cat Ballou with Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin was Nat King Cole's final film. It was released months after his death.

The final film of actor Frank Morgan, well known as The Wizard (and other roles) in The Wizard of Oz was Key to the City from 1950 also starring Loretta Young and Clark Gable. The movie came out after his death. By then, Morgan had been working on Annie Get Your Gun. He was replaced by Louis Calhern. Morgan had been in other films including Bombshell with Jean Harlow and The Shop Around the Corner with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.

Sadly, Loretta Young suffered a miscarriage while on the set of Key to the City. Newspapers spoke of her fainting and having been carried to her dressing room by Clark Gable. After a stay in the hospital they were unable to save the baby. Young and her husband ad executive Tom Lewis had three other children.

Coincidentally, they said that Gable had told his wife he would never want a funeral like that of Tyrone Power just a few years earlier in 1958. 

The Death of Tyrone Power

Power, at 44, had died of a heart attack in Spain while making the film Solomon and Sheba. Gina Lollobrigida played Sheba. The film was recast with Yul Brynner
Tyrone Power
playing Solomon. 


Similar to Clark Gable, Tyrone Power's wife also had been pregnant when he died. Cesar Romero read Thomas Wolfe's The Promises of America as a eulogy. He also had a military funeral, five Marine officers served as pall bearers.

Some in the papers called his funeral a spectacle. It was overflowing with people. A couple of months after the actor's death, his widow, Deborah Power gave birth to their son, Tyrone Power IV on January 22, 1959. Power had two daughters previously. This baby was his third child and his only son. 

His performance as Leonard Vole in Witness for the Prosecution, 1957 was his last completed film. With an incredible cast, the film also starred Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton.

The actor sometimes went by the name Tyrone Power, Jr. His father, also an actor went by Tyrone Power, Sr. The Miracle Man, 1932 was made with Hobart Bosworth instead of Tyrone Power, Sr. who died at 62. The Big Trail, 1930 was his final film. It also starred John Wayne.

"Power's death was a tragic duplicate of that of his father, Tyrone Power II. His father was fatally stricken on the set of a picture, The Miracle Man. He died a few hours later in the arms of his son. 

"Power had continued a theatrical dynasty begun  by his grandfather on the Dublin stage in 1827. Tyrone Power the first was a celebrated comedian whose baptismal name comes from County Tyrone, Ireland."
-- The Day, November 15, 1958 (New London, CT)

In 1962, Monroe started work on Something's Got to Give, a remake of the Cary Grant - Irene Dunne film My Favorite Wife, but the film was never completed. Please see links below for a more on that film. Marilyn Monroe died August 5, 1962 at the age of 36. 

You often see such a change in an actor throughout their career, comparing their early work to later. Their first film roles may well be bit parts. Why is there an extra interest in an actor's last role, their final performance? 

Sadly you cannot tell what will be a star's (directors, etc.) last movie any more than what will become a huge hit or a cult classic. Rather than making it into a sad time, it can be a time to celebrate not only one movie and an actor's entire body of work. 

I read about a woman who hated having her photo taken. Then the unthinkable happened, her child died. She had photos of her child, but very few of herself and her baby together. A regret was that she hadn't taken more pictures of the two of them together. You never know when something will happen.


The Misfits Movie Trailer





Marilyn Monroe's Screen Test, hair, make-up, costumes for The Misfits
Arthur Miller wrote the film especially for her. Includes comments from Kevin McCarthy who plays Marilyn's divorced husband.
Leonard Maltin (and Mary Hart) on Entertainment Tonight 1991. 

The show, sometimes just called ET has been on the air since 1981. Print, radio and television were our sources of Hollywood news and celebrity gossip long before we had the Internet.


Short silent footage of the stars from a press conference



Baptism of Clark Gable's Son, November 1961

"John Clark Gable would be baptized in a dress made by famous designer Don Loper who said, 'It's suitable for the son of the former king of Hollywood.' Loper who makes dresses for some of Hollywood's biggest stars, presented the gown to the late actor's widow Kay as a present to the baby who was born March 20.

"'It's the kind of dress that England's Prince Charles wore,' Loper said. 'It's a very formal dress made of batiste linen and balencien lace. It has 100 yards of lace.' 


"Loper added that the child's bonnet and undergarments will be made of the same material. 'The dress was made with great love because all the people in my sewing department are fond of Mrs. Gable,' Loper said."
-- excerpt from a UPI article in The Schenectady Gazette, June 3, 1961

Newsreel and color footage, 1961. The child of Clark Gable and Kay Williams Gable is christened....

 



Louella Parsons is a godmother of ten-week old John Clark Gable, who was born March 20, 1961. The child was carried by one of his godmothers, Mrs. Carl Leigh. Godfather was Vince Williams, brother of Mrs. Gable. 

Marilyn Monroe, Jack Benny and Mary Livingston, Cesar Romero are there. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stack. Leo Carillo and Mervyn Leroy and Fred Astaire were among the 100 invited guests.
-- Information from an AP article run in several papers. One is titled "Young Gable wails during Christening"

Clark Gable also had a daughter, named Judy Lewis. Her mother was actress Loretta Young. Some said that Lewis never knew Gable, but she met him when she was a child. It was only confirmed to her that he was her father she was in her thirties.



Judy Lewis was born in 1935. Her book, Uncommon Knowledge is fascinating and even new copies are very reasonably priced. Books like these give an idea of the culture of Old Hollywood and the times back in the 1930s and 1940s.

John Gable has children, Kayley Gable, born 1986 and Clark James Gable, 1988.

The First Lady of Hollywood: A Biography of Louella Parsons by Samantha Barbas

Since we're talking about famous children and grandchildren, Jennifer Grant, daughter of actors Cary Grant and Dyan Cannon was born in 1966. She gave birth to a son, whom she named Cary Benjamin, in August 2008.

Cary Grant stopped making movies when his daughter was born, so he could spend more time with her. Walk Don't Run, his final film came out in 1966.

Hollywood fashion designer Don Loper played himself in a famous 1955 episode of I Love Lucy, The Fashion Show. He worked for big studios such as MGM and is said to have introduced Judy Garland to Vincent Minnelli.


Cesar Romero was The Joker on Batman. 

Prince Charles of England was born November 14, 1948, several years before Gable's son.

Keep your eye on your local PBS schedule. There is an older edition of the series Great Performances called The Making of The Misfits. You may see it aired again sometime.


Related Pages of Interest:

You can tell them Clark Gable left his jacket at your place: Auctions & Memorabilia



Clark Gable Marries Kay Williams July 1955

William Powell after the death of Jean Harlow: Includes: The final films of Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard, Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe

My Favorite Wife, Cary Grant and Irene Dunne; with video, information on the 1962 remake that was never completed; Something's Got to Give with Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Cyd Charisse. Video includes deleted scenes and news.

George Burns vs Clark Gable Gracie's Plan Burns and Allen

Pop, Rock and Country Memorial Songs Inspiration from Monty Python, The Beatles, Jim Henson

The Death of Jean Harlow

Carole Lombard and William Powell

Buying and Selling and Buying Back Academy Awards, Stephen Spielberg, John Lennon, Vivien Leigh

Fan girls chasing Clark Gable 1930s, 40s in cars and on foot: tear his clothes, nibble his ears and more




Friday, June 27, 2014

Jean Harlow is Reckless 1935 Joan Crawford is Dancing

Young and Reckless in 1935

Publicity shot for Reckless, Harlow and Powell
Photo taken
to promote Reckless*
Reckless MGM's 1935 musical melodrama is the story of a Broadway singer and dancer Mona Leslie (Jean Harlow). She and a rich playboy, Rob Harrison Jr. (Franchot Tone) marry impulsively.

This is upsetting to his stuffy father. Turns out that Rob was engaged to Josephine 'Jo' Mercer (Rosalind Russell). 

It also upsets to Mona's manager, Ned Riley (William Powell). Though he'd told Harrison that he didn't have feelings for Mona, he realized that he does when she and Harrison become serious about one another. 

He tries proposing to Mona, but she's so exhausted from her late-night date with Rob, she falls asleep before he can finish asking her. Then he decides that it's too late. The movie takes a complicated turn when the emotionally distressed playboy kills himself, and Mona gives birth to his baby after his death.

Must-See Moments:

Just about anything with Granny, May Robson is a favorite of mine. We don't see Rosalind Russell as Jo Mercer until about half-way into the movie but she's worth waiting for. Jo and Mona become friends. 

She refuses to become a victim. Russell is just lovely and with Adrian providing the costumes, Jo Mercer is a beautiful bride in a spectacular satin wedding gown. Too bad that it's one of the lesser known Rosalind Russell movies.


Rosalind Russell before Mame
There's a scene at the racetrack where Mona and Rob's fancy friends meet Ned's friends and their interaction is funny. 

Before Mona goes on stage to resurrect her career, Granny crosses her and the fingers of Mona's little baby for good luck. 

Cross Your Fingers

Toward the end, Mona is giving a show to earn money to raise her son. Ned has put up all the money he has to finance the show. She's being heckled by the crowd. The scene is well played. Mona valiantly tries to get through her song before letting them have it. Watch an entire audience get told off by Jean Harlow.

"How dare you! .... If this is the last song I'm ever to sing for you please have the decency to let me finish." 

Bill Powell's character, Ned Riley watches from the sidelines with a tear in his eye. (Okay, to be fair, just about all the good guys, and gals, have a tear in their eyes during this scene.)

"Wish me good luck"
"Give 'em both barrels"

As she sings her encore, Powell is right offstage, whispering another marriage
Reckless Movie Poster Insert
14 x 36 Inches - 36cm x 92cm
proposal. "You usually fall asleep when I propose to you." This time she hears him and reaches back to take his hand. 


Powell and Harlow

Coincidentally the story Powell gave newspapers was that Jean Harlow had fallen asleep in the car on their first date. She'd said it was a compliment to him and that she just liked to sleep. 

There is a poignancy to this movie for fans who assumed that in real life the couple would, if not get married, probably spend their lives together. This didn't happen because of Harlow's tragic death.

When Harlow was dating Powell, she went from wearing a diamond on her engagement finger, to a huge 152-carat sapphire ring. 

People suggested both were engagement rings and friends said they were engaged when she died.

In Reckless, Powell proposes to her twice. In Libeled Lady they pretended to be married. The perfect double feature is Reckless with Libeled Lady, particularly if you haven't seen either. Libeled Lady is fantastic.


Harlow's performance:
Reckless magazine photo, 3 stars
"Trouble brews between
Bill Powell and
Franchot Tone..."
Even though this movie may be a bit soapy for some, it's one of Jean Harlow's more serious performances and for that it is noteworthy. She's a 'good girl' who got swept up in the bad publicity surrounding the death of her on-screen husband. 

She asks her new father-in-law, "What do you know about my reputation?" When he assumes the worst based solely on her job, her appearance and how quickly she and his son were married.

Watch how good Powell is with the young actors, Mickey Rooney and Allen Hoskins aka Farina both around 13 at that time. Reviewers mentioned this, too. Powell's own son was about nine years old. "Always keep up a good front," he tells Rooney's character, Eddie.

Reckless can be streamed or it's available in some DVD sets, you may find it in a library. The movie is also shown with some regularity on various movie channels. 

The film trailer talked about Harlow and Powell, the two most talked about stars in Hollywood. Powell was shown inside a heart.





Before Filming Began, The Backstory:
Harlow gets Billed, Crawford gets Toned

In 1933 a young Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, May Robson, Franchot Tone, Ted Healey, The Three Stooges and many others made Dancing Lady. Joan Crawford was a big MGM star and an experienced dancer. It was released late October 1933. Her first film of 1934 ended up being Sadie McKee with Franchot Tone and Gene Raymond. This wasn't the plan, though.


Dancing Lady movie poster 1933
Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone
22 x 28 Inches - 56cm x 72cm
Filming of Reckless took place November 1934-February 1935. Franchot Tone, William Powell, Rosalind Russell and the popular Joan Crawford were set to play the four lovers in this movie.

In what all the papers had called a secret wedding, Crawford and Tone had been married just that past October. Word is that Tone had given Crawford a big sapphire engagement ring.

Powell was known for playing Philo Vance. He and Myrna Loy would soon release The Thin Man. It would be the first in a franchise of very successful films.

Basis of the story:

The movie was thought to be based on actress and torch singer Libby Holman who dated both men and women, including a young Montgomery Clift. She lived what was called the reckless lifestyle. In 1932 there was a highly publicized story about the death of her husband, tobacco heir Zachary Smith Reynolds II. People asked, was it a suicide or murder? You can still read a Libby Holman biography and decide for yourself.

Ned proposes to Mona while she's singing
this time she's awake
The public was fascinated with the Holman/Reynolds story and the court case. Films such as Brief Moment starring Carole Lombard and Gene Raymond and Sing, Sinner Sing starring Leila Hyams and Paul Lukas were both from 1933. 

Written on the Wind from 1957 with Rock Hudson and Lauren Bacall was also said to have been based on or inspired by the Holman/Reynolds case. It shows, then and now a juicy Hollywood scandal may be bad for those involved but can be good for those who try to cash in on it. Suicide stories were packed with drama, even fictionalized.

It's said that ten writers and screenwriters had their hands in this movie, not all credited. Screenplay is from a story by Oliver Jeffries, a pseudonym for David Selznick who was also producer.

Victor Fleming, the director had been wanting to make a musical. He supposedly said that he wouldn't have planned one for Jean Harlow. If you're looking for a musical, this isn't one of the greats on that score. But it's great looking and fun.

Two weeks before the premiere of Reckless, MGM publicity chief Howard Strickling wrote Howard Dietz, his New York counterpart and a friend of Holman's, assuring him there was "nothing ever done here to connect the Holman case with Reckless and will be doubly careful in the future." Numerous books have been written about Libby Holman, about Reynolds and his death. 

Strickling was one of the ones who came out in the mid-1960s to speak against some of the biographies and films that were being made about Jean Harlow. In the movie, Hollywoodland, Joe Spano plays Howard Strickling. Ben Affleck stars in this 2006 film, playing actor George Reeves who starred in The Adventures of Superman. Adrien Brody is a fictional character, a private detective hired to look into the actor's apparent suicide. 

In 1985 Time Magazine reported that Madonna was in talks to star in a movie about Libby Holman. The director would be movie directed by Herbert Ross, known for Goodbye Mr. Chips and Funny Girl.

clipping of Reckless review, similarity to Smith-Reynolds case
Reckless review sees similarity to Smith-Reynolds case
excerpt from 1935 St. Petersburg Times

A short time before filming began, the press was buzzing with stories of a blossoming romance between Jean Harlow and William Powell. Harlow had recently separated from her third husband. Powell had divorced second wife, actress Carole Lombard, the year before.

The studio decided to use this to their advantage and switched leading ladies from Crawford to Harlow. Was the studio also hoping to cash in on the interest in the death of Harlow's second husband, Paul Bern? He had been found dead with a gunshot wound to the head also in 1932. His death was mysterious, its circumstances still debated to this day.

Ambivalence:

Harlow wanted to do a picture with Powell but she was no singer and dancer.
Jean Harlow and William Powell in Reckless
Harlow has found the one
who has her "all atwitter"
She didn't want to do a storyline that mirrored the situation with Paul Bern. She had been cast in the role and in those days, people were under strict contracts. The studio told actors what pictures to make. 


You were suspended (without pay) from working if you declined to make a movie. There were other consequences.

William Powell suggested that she go ahead. Declining to make the movie and getting suspended would be worse for her career than stepping up and playing the part. It would
look bad for her personally.

Some of the audience interest in this movie has always been the story behind the film. Like Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor working on Cleopatra, Powell and Harlow were new lovers while making Reckless. Reporters soon began calling Powell her constant companion and asking when they would marry.

Powell would work with Joan Crawford in 1937 when they made The Last of Mrs. Cheyney. Franchot Tone made four films with his wife, Joan Crawford.

As with any other movie, we can take almost anything we hear about things that happened off-screen or behind the scenes with a grain if not a whole shaker of salt. And really the behind the scenes things don't matter as much as what we see on the screen. 

I heard a chat not long ago about film as being a business rather than an art form. The movie is a product, something different from the way painting is a piece of art. I'll give credit to Turner Classic Movies (TCM) since there's a good chance I heard this conversation there.

Leo the MGM Lion is proud of his new hit!
He's roaring louder than ever about its songs,
beauty thrills romance and
Powell and Harlow ... the two most talked about stars!
Powell and Harlow the two most talked about stars

Who's that I hear?

Betty Halsey was Jean Harlow's dancing double. Virginia Verill is said to have dubbed some if not all of Harlow's songs here and in the Cary Grant movie, Suzy. Margaret Booth was the editor on Reckless and getting all of this as good as it was in the early thirties is laudable. 

This is a good place to mention that copies of Reckless that I've seen are not spectacular. I've seen it shown on TV and seen it streamed. I don't know if the film hasn't been restored or if we're just spoiled by the high quality of most of the movies we get to see from sources such as Turner Classic Movies. It isn't bad, but .... you may notice that the film is from 1935. I would give it a B grade. (Full disclosure: I later received a refund for the streamed viewing of Reckless due to quality of video and transmission issues. This was not expected or requested.)

May Robson gives Powell a swat on his backside
Great Cast:

The film has an incredible cast. Its love triangle was Franchot Tone, Jean Harlow and William Powell. Also in the film, Rosalind Russell, May Robson and Allan Jones. Russell's first film had been Evelyn Prentice, with Myrna Loy and William Powell just the year before. In 1936 Irene Hervey married Allan Jones. They're the parents of singer Jack Jones.

Carl Randall danced with Flo Ziegfeld's Follies in the late 1920s. The papers said he was being brought from Broadway to dance with Jean Harlow. 

Ted Healy had appeared the year before with Harlow in Bombshell. In 1923, as a vaudevillian he started the act Ted Healy & His Stooges. The Stooges were Moe Howard and his brother, Shemp Howard. The brothers went on to form their own group, The Three Stooges.

Nat Pendleton was in the 1933 Frank Capra film, Lady for a Day which starred May Robson as Apple Annie. Libby Taylor is maid at Granny and Mona's house. Taylor is said to have been discovered by Mae West.

Mickey Rooney and Allen Hoskins aka Farina (from Hal Roach's Our Gang aka The Little Rascals) who were in their early teens have small roles. Apparently back in the day of Our Gang, Farina could be portrayed as a girl or a boy, the name was chosen to be gender-neutral. 

At the beginning of the film, Hoskins is credited as Farina and they say "Used to be a her."  He was the first African American child actor, the first in the Our Gang series. The character of Buckwheat, played by Billie Thomas (remember too the SNL skits with Eddie Murphy?) came after Farina.

Similar situation with child actors Norman "Chubby" Chaney and Joe Cobb. The makers of the series also wanted a heavyset actor. When one Little Rascal outgrew the role, he had to be replaced. Contests were held to win the roles.



In 1936 Powell and Harlow teamed up again, this time with Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy in Libeled Lady 

Nina Mae McKinney is a chorus girl. In the beginning of the film she's credited and they say, "Remember Hallelujah?" In 1929, Hallelujah was one of the first films by MGM, a major studio to have a cast of all African Americans actors.

As it's a film from the early 1930s, there are a few references and stereotypes that may not be pleasant to contemporary audiences. Included in the cast are three notable African American actors of the day. Libby Taylor is Granny and Mona's maid, Miss McKinney is a chorine/showgirl and young Mr. Hoskins plays a jockey. As Irving Thalberg is reported to have said, "movies are a good record of how we once lived."

You can play "Spot Margaret Dumont" while watching Reckless. If you see her before anyone else in the room, a duck will fall from the ceiling, you'll get 30 points -- and two hard boiled eggs.

Those who like sports, especially horse racing and wrestling will enjoy this one. Powell plays a sports promoter. We see great old wrestler Man-Mountain Dean, of course appearing in the wrestling ring. If you're familiar with old wrestlers' names, you'll know him. He was, uncredited, in some other movies like Mighty Joe Young. 

There's a short video of a wrestling match between Dean and Jumping Joe Savoldi from the 1940s at the end of this article.

The story is about acceptance and overcoming adversity. It's about picking up the pieces and moving forward. There's a lot to read into this movie if you want to do so. If you're a fan of Powell and Harlow it's great to see the two of them together at the beginning of their relationship. 

The reviews that I found were all across the board. There are high and low points, some depends on your taste. See it if you're a fan of Rosalind Russell, May Robson or the designer, Adrian. This movie gets overlooked but it ought to be included and enjoyed by fans.

"Who is That Way about Which?"
Cute little feature from 1936. Even though we see Harlow & Gable on screen,
in real life now Gable likes Lombard and
Harlow likes her ex-husband, Powell...
 
James Stewart remembers Jean Harlow:

When they made Reckless both Powell and Harlow were big stars. There is a funny quote from James Stewart about acting with Jean Harlow. The quote has been in different books and magazines and I think he's talking about one of her last and best films, Wife vs. Secretary with Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and May Robson.

"She really kissed. Some actresses fake it. Not Jean. I did quite a love scene with her -- long before it became the thing to do on screen. I remember it to this day - we did it six times. And that dress. Yes she was braless and she didn't seem to wear anything under the dress. Well I forgot my lines. That's what I did." 
 -- A wonderful life the films and career of James Stewart by Tony Thomas

Harlow was and is far from the only actress to do this. Tallulah Bankhead was also well known for going without underwear.  Apparently in 2002, actress Glenn Close received a trunk load of lingerie from Armani after she said that she'd attended the label’s Moscow store opening underwear-free.


Ned's First Proposal to Mona: 

"You know how I'd do it, if I was going to do it. I'd cut out all that business about love and can't live without you. Any girl with any sense would know all that anyway. I'd simply say, 'How 'bout it, kid?' Well, how 'bout it, kid? Mona, how 'bout it?" (By now she's fallen asleep and doesn't hear him.)


* Posters, the William Powell, Jean Harlow Reckless promo photo at top of page and some other photos of the stars are available on Amazon.



Popular Books about the subjects:

Libby Holman: Body and Soul by Hamilton Darby Perry

Rosalind Russell Life is a Banquet. There's also a very interesting Life is a Banquet documentary narrated by Kathleen Turner.

 Kid Carolina: R. J. Reynolds Jr., a Tobacco Fortune, and the Mysterious Death of a Southern Icon by Heidi Schnakenberg
This is available on Kindle 


Dreams That Money Can Buy: The Tragic Life of Libby Holman by Jon Bradshaw 

Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood by Donald Bogle

Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television by Bob McCann 

And since there are horses in the film...
Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse and also:

They Called Her Reckless ... "In skirmishes and firefights, and ultimately in the savage Battle for Outpost Vegas, Reckless showed her bravery and resilience. In that last bloody fight, surpassing all expectations, she hauled ammunition for three days and nights wherever it was needed. For wounds sustained, she was awarded two Purple Hearts. .... She was promoted to sergeant by the commander of the First Marine Division."

 Find books on Harlow, Powell and Lombard listed on pages linked below....


One of Libby Holman's hit songs was Am I Blue?  


Related Pages of Interest:

Sapphire & Emerald Engagement Rings, Princesses Diana and Catherine; Joan Crawford and Elizabeth Taylor, Halle Berry and Penélope Cruz ....

William Powell, Jean Harlow and a diamond ring (Part of a series on Harlow, Powell and Carole Lombard)

The Death of Jean Harlow: Goodnight, my Dearest Darling   

Hume Cronyn: One Life, a Boatload of Characters; Tallulah Bankhead and a situation that arose on the set of Hitchcock's Lifeboat
 

Jean Harlow was a living doll

Image of Jean Harlow from Reckless
Jean Harlow as Mona Leslie
being questioned by the press


This discontinued doll is from 1993 and apparently kicked off the Barbie Hollywood Legends Collection. She's got platinum hair, said to have all the glamour of a 1930s film star. Jean Harlow sure looked like a living doll in the movie, Reckless.

Tonner gives Joan Crawford some equal time. Robert Tonner Woman of Passion in a chiffon and lace gown with faux leather shoes.  Great 1940s hairstyle, victory rolls.

Especially for the movie memorabilia or Barbie collector, the Barbie Hollywood Premiere Movie Star Collection complements this doll. She looks like Marilyn Monroe and comes in different Marilyn Monroe costumes.

The 1994 introductions to the Hollywood Legends collection were Barbie as Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind in the Green Drapery and Red dresses. Perfect for this 75th anniversary of Gone With the Wind. 1995 saw more Scarlett O'Hara dolls and the addition of  Barbie Doll as Maria in The Sound of Music and Barbie as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, a film also having its 75th anniversary in 2014.

Looking for Barbie and Ken? Mattel created different Rhett Butler dolls. One is Ken as Rhett Butler, and one is sculpted to look more like Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. There are three dolls in all, in different costumes fashioned after the movie. These are discontinued and only available on the aftermarket.

Mattel makes other dolls, like their Grace Kelly series, sculpted in the likeness of the stars, themselves, fashioning the clothes in great detail just like what both the characters and the actors wore in real life. In Grace Kelly's case, the costumes are modeled after those designed by Edith Head.

Among the many popular new Barbie dolls are the Mad Men dolls, Roger Sterling, Joan Holloway, Don Draper and Betty Draper.

This article is part of the MGM Blogathon: MGM Celebrating 90 Years of Entertainment Read all of the entries!


William Powell shakes hands with Mountain Man Dean in Reckless


Jumping Joe Savoldi played football for Notre Dame and wrestled.
Here he's wrestling  a bearded Mountain Man Dean in the 1940s. Old professional wrestling match.


Sources not cited above

Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master by Michael Sragow
The American Film Institute