Carole Lombard, the renowned actress known for her exceptional performances in iconic screwball comedies like My Man Godfrey and To Be or Not to Be, as well as for her marriage to fellow actor Clark Gable, tragically lost her life on January 16, 1942.
The fatal incident occurred when the TWA DC-3 plane she was aboard crashed during its journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, claiming the vibrant life of the 33-year-old star.
The captivating tale of Lombard and Gable began in 1932 while filming No Man of Her Own.
At that time, Gable was emerging as a leading figure in Hollywood’s realm, and Lombard was showcasing her comedic brilliance, seeking recognition for more serious roles.
Despite being married – Gable to an older wealthy widow from Texas and Lombard to actor William Powell – they initially exhibited little interest in each other.
However, their paths crossed again three years later under different circumstances.
By this time, Lombard had parted ways with Powell, and Gable was no longer with his wife, setting the stage for a unique love story that captured the media’s attention.
Fondly referring to one another as Ma and Pa, the couple openly displayed affection and exchanged extravagant gifts.
Following Gable’s divorce in early 1939, he and Lombard tied the knot in April of the same year.
In the wake of America’s entry into World War II, in January 1942, Lombard was enlisted by Howard Dietz, the MGM film studio’s publicity director, to embark on a campaign in Indiana to promote war bonds.
Meanwhile, Gable, appointed as the head of the actors’ wing of the Hollywood Victory Committee, remained in Los Angeles to commence filming with Lana Turner.
Despite Dietz’s reservations about air travel due to safety concerns, Lombard chose to fly back from Indianapolis after successfully raising around $2 million for the war effort through train stops along the way.
Tragically, Lombard’s decision to board the TWA DC-3 flight from Las Vegas with her mother, Elizabeth Peters, and a group that included MGM’s Otto Winkler and 15 young Army pilots, ended in disaster.
Shortly after takeoff, the plane deviated from its intended path, as vital warning beacons had been deactivated as a precaution against potential Japanese threats.
The aircraft collided with a cliff near Potosi Mountain, claiming the lives of all onboard.
Lombard’s remains were recovered, and she was laid to rest beside her mother at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California, commemorated by a poignant marker bearing the name “Carole Lombard Gable.”
Struggling with immense sorrow in the absence of Lombard, Gable found solace in the company of concerned friends, notably actress Joan Crawford.
Overwhelmed by grief, he sought refuge in alcohol and faced challenges in completing his work on Somewhere I’ll Find You.
Ultimately, in August, Gable made the decision to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Forces, serving predominantly in the United Kingdom throughout the war and participating in numerous combat missions, including one over Germany, earning accolades for his valor.
Despite two subsequent marriages, Gable’s final resting place next to Lombard at Forest Lawn in
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