Lombard
had known Clark Gable since 1932, but their romantic attachment
began in 1936, when John Hay Whitney gave an elaborate costume
party in Hollywood. The invitations requested the guests appear
in something white. With her unfailing sense of humor, Carole
arrived at the party in a white ambulance and was carried
into the Whitney mansion on a stretcher. She and Gable renewed
their friendship at "The White Ball," becoming constant
companions until their marriage in 1939.
In
the summer of 1939, they settled on a 20 acre estate in the
Encino section of the San Fernando Valley. They loved the
outdoor life and shared times hunting and riding together.
Lombard was the ideal mate for Gable, a woman who could be
glamorous and lovely, but who also could be as companionable
as a pal.
Following
the entrance of the United States into World War II in 1941,
Gable was made chairman of the Hollywood Victory Committee.
In January 1942, he arranged for Lombard to embark on a bond
selling tour that would climax in Indianapolis on January
15. At that rally, she spoke publicly for the last time. "Before
I say good-bye to you all -- come on -- join me in a big cheer
-- V for Victory!"
It
is said [When The Stars Went To War] that he blamed
himself for her death. "Gable was inconsolable. "The
boyishness he had...was gone," said Strickling [his friend
at MGM]. What replaced the boy was a guilt-ridden, unapproachable
middle-aged man."
Gable
Web Site
One
of his most popular hits
places and seeing things if there isn't someone important
to share the thrill of traveling! What's the fun of accomplishing
things if there isn't someone, who means a lot, to applaud
and tell you what a remarkable fellow you are! I've had a
great many years of the 'coveted freedom.' I've found that
I can be the loneliest in the most crowded places when all
I have to celebrate with is ... freedom. I think I'm getting
the most wonderful girl in the world. Freedom? I'd trade every
bit of it for a few hours with Carole! We open secret doors
in one another's personalities. We've found that we are new
people to each other. Carole is supposed to be the sophisticated
type. I'm supposed to be suave and polished--I'm supposed
to drip with polish and slide with suavity. Well, it isn't
true. We are both the shyest, most sensitive people you'll
ever know. Carole's supposed sophistication is just a mask
she has used to get ver the hard bumps of life. Nobody knows
where I got my reputation for suaveness. After our honeymoon
we're going to settle down in the old-fashioned idea of a
calm and very unexciting life—as exciting live are judged
in Hollywood. We have a few close friends who mean much to
us. We're going to play tennis and quietly attend theaters—other
than opening nights—and take drives to the beaches and
get our own meals on the cook's day out and go places and
do things—always together. I've found a pal, a sweetheart,
a friend, a wife—let those who will keep their freedom!
