Dear Mr. G.

Book excerpt: Clark Gable (1901-1960) was an American film actor who is often referred to as “The King of Hollywood”. He began his career as an extra in Hollywood silent films between 1924-1926, and progressed to supporting roles with a few films for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1930. He landed his first leading role in 1931, and was a leading man in more than 60 motion pictures over the following three decades. He became best known for his performance in Gone with the Wind (1939), for which he gained a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Dear Mr. G., which was first published in 1961, is an engaging account by Clark Gable and Carole Lombard’s personal secretary and business manager, Jean Garceau. Here is the story of a kind, generous man—a man with a sense of humor and who, despite the fame and adulation, still had the humility to say, when it was suggested that he direct films, “Direct? I haven’t learned how to act yet!” This is the true story, in words and pictures, of Clark Gable’s life, chronicled by the one woman who knew him longest—Jean Garceau.