Clark Gable was born to be a leading man. Broad-shouldered and standing 6′1″ tall, with dark wavy hair and moustache and a rugged but expressive face, Gable made female moviegoers swoon for decades.

Carole Lombard was popular as a comedienne in screwball comedies. With an engaging onscreen personality, the blonde actress (who often said she was glad she was not beautiful) had an offscreen sense of fun that was highly developed.

When Gable met Lombard… well, nothing happened the first time they met in 1932. Both were married, Lombard to William Powell, 16 years her senior (a marriage that ended in divorce in 1933) and Gable to his second wife. It was not until 1935, meeting again at a party that the pair took notice of each other.

It was one of those Hollywood theme parties and the guests were all asked to wear something white. It was also the age of Hollywood stars going to extremes. Lombard arrived in a white gown of course, and lying on a white cot that was driven to the party in a white ambulance. She was carried into the party by three attendants in white. Gable took notice of her then. For Valentine’s Day, 1936, Lombard had hearts painted on an old model T Ford and gave it to Gable as a gift. They sent each other gifts in a joking but affectionate vein, Lombard even sending Gable hams with his face painted on them. Their love affair was full of fun and romance. They acted like high-school sweethearts, but called each other “Ma” and “Pa”.

Lombard was by then divorced from William Powell but Gable’s wife was unwiling at first to grant him a divorce. When finally, the divorce went through, Gable and Lombard drove to Arizona and bought a license. They were married in the house of a local minister and the wedding ceremony was witnessed by the minister’s wife and the local high-school principal. The next day, Gable went back to the set of Gone With the Wind. They were actors, after all.

The married couple bought a ranch and lived simply. Lombard kept a menagerie of animals. Gable liked to hunt and fish. They were happy and content in their rustic getaway from the bright lights of Hollywood.

Tragedy struck on January 16, 1942. Carole Lombard had spent the day selling War Bonds in Indianapolis. Others suggested they stay over but Lombard was anxious to be on her way and so they boarded the ill-fated TWA Flight 3. Thirty miles southwest of Las Vegas, the plane smashed into the side of a mountain and burst into a fiery wreck. Gable heard the news on the radio, on his way to the airport.

A distraught Gable rushed to Nevada to search in hope for her but to no avail. He even climbed the mountain but was turned back by those searchers who had already discovered the burnt wreckage. All 23 passengers on board, including Lombard and her mother, were killed.

Gable lost in one stroke his lover, companion, colleague, wife and best friend. He lost her.

Although Gable would marry twice more in his lifetime, those close to him knew that Carole Lombard was the love of his life.