Landis Versus Lombard
Good morning! Kendra was kind enough to scan and share this April 1941 Screen Guide feature with us. The brief and fluffy piece puts Lombard up against another famous blonde: Carole Landis, who actually changed her first name because of her admiration of Carole Lombard. To my knowledge the two never met but Landis, like Lombard, played a big role in the war effort and spent more time visiting troops than any other actress. Landis visited more than 250 military bases across the United States.
Give it a read and if you want to learn more about Carole Landis I recommend you visit the lovely Carole Landis Online.
UPDATE: I got in touch with one of Landis’ nieces and she has the following to say:
No, they never met. Carole Landis was a huge Lombard fan and had her picture plastered all over her bedroom wall when she was a child. That’s why she chose the stage name Carole. Some sources say she actually chose Carol out of a phone book and then added the “e” to be like Lombard. There is a quote Carole gave when a reporter told her they looked alike - “If I look like Miss Lombard - and I don’t - please spare her the humiliation.”
Wasn’t there gossip about Landis and Gable culminating in Missy Carole threatening to kick Landis’ backside?
This is a bit off topic but didn’t Carole Landis get a nose job? I don’t know why but plastic surgery during the Golden Age fascinates me.
thanks,
paula
I think I read that she did get a nose job. She looks like lombard I think.
Rose: I am sure there was gossip though I haven’t really looked into it. I do think that Carole was a lot more secure about Gable and Hollywood’s Hotties than people gave her credit. That is just the vibe I have been getting throughout my research.
Paula and Cindy: Landis did get a nose job although the reasons are debatable. Some say cosmetic while others call it reconstructive after abuse.
I’m glad you liked the article!
If I recall correctly-from David Bret’s book on Gable-
didn’t Carole come home to the ranch and found Clark and Landis together. Gee, I hate to burst the bubble on the fairytale-if a man really loves his wife-does he screw around like Clarkaboy did?
That’s good to hear, Carla. I was hoping most of the talk was just gossip. It sold magazines then and still does now!
Ford: No fairytail busting for me. Though I don’t recall reading about Landis and Gable having extracurricular activities at the ranch or elsewhere, he was known as a notorious womanizer who liked to bed anything feminine that moved. It was a well known fact that he would (or at least try) to bed his costars. Carole knew all about his shenanigans long before they were ever married. I think she took this with a grain if salt in knowing it was part of the package with Gable. But, his womanizing efforts were sometimes scoffed at by young pretty starlets who learned of his imperfections. He was not this confident romantic man, he had sex/cleanliness issues, he had terrible breath from having a gum disease, and he was an alcoholic. I think much of this contributed from his upbringing in losing his beloved step mother at a young age, and his strained relationship with his father. His father was not supportive of his interest and love for theater and thought it was not a “man’s” kind of work. Those along with what the early 1900’s culture encouraged what the roles of men and women ought to be certainly contributed to his behavior. Plus his father was also probably a womanizer since that is hereditary. Gable was flawed in many ways and insecure. But, despite all of this, Carole loved him for who he was.
I think it wasn’t until after she died (and being married to Kay Spreckles), that he truly learned more about love and how not to take it for granted. That is just a feeling I’ve had from what I’ve read about him. I respect him more in his later years since he seemed more in tuned with his feelings and emotions, his role within a marriage, his respect for acting and watching other actors, his love for Kay’s kids and vise versa, his eagernes to improve his vocabulary (always had a dictionary out), and his love and tenderness towards Kay.
I truly believe his was a very special man aside from his weaknesses. And that is what has kept me interested in him for over 30 years. I love the man not the idea of what he was supposed to be - this perfect movie star.
Dear lisa
I think you nailed it.
Ford
Happy Birthday to Judy Lewis and to her daughter, Maria–who turns 50 on ll/l6 !!! Loved Judy’s book “Uncommon Knowledge”.
Keep new pictures of Carole Lombard coming—-there are supposedly l,700 still of her around. THANKS
Happy Birthday to Judy Lewis and to her daughter, Maria–who turns 50 on ll/l6 !!! Loved Judy’s book “Uncommon Knowledge”.
ewuwepadar…
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