When Doris Day Met Clark Gable: A Look Back at Their Iconic Partnership

The world of entertainment is grieving the loss of Doris Day, a true Hollywood legend who passed away at the age of 97.

Day was not only known for her incredible acting and singing talents but also for her unwavering dedication to animal welfare.

Throughout her career, which spanned five decades from 1939 to 1989, she collaborated with some of the greatest leading men in Hollywood, creating a plethora of timeless classics.

One of her most famous partnerships occurred in the 1958 romantic comedy, Teacher's Pet.

Distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film brought together the vivacious Day and the suave Clark Gable, best known for his role in the epic Civil War drama, Gone with the Wind.

Doris Day, born Doris Kappelhoff in Cincinnati, had already established herself as a Hollywood A-lister with notable musicals like Calamity Jane in 1953.

Her song “Secret Love” from the film not only won an Academy Award but also topped the charts in the US.

Day showcased her versatility by starring in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller The Man Who Knew Too Much alongside James Stewart in 1956.

The film featured her signature tune, “Que Sera Sera,” which also won an Academy Award.

Clark Gable, born in Ohio, had become a major star after his breakthrough role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 classic Gone with the Wind.

He solidified his status as one of Hollywood's finest actors with films like Red Dust in 1932, where he starred alongside screen siren Jean Harlow.

Gable's role as newspaper editor James Gannon in Teacher's Pet allowed him to showcase his charm once again.

Despite their contrasting personalities, Day and Gable had an undeniable on-screen chemistry.

Day, always maintaining a wholesome image both on and off-screen, rejected the opportunity to play a more scandalous role in The Graduate.

Gable, on the other hand, had a reputation as a heartbreaker and a ladies' man.

Teacher's Pet, described as an intellectual comedy, provided the perfect platform for Day and Gable to showcase their talents.

The film followed the story of a college professor, played by Day, who is initially snubbed by Gable's character, a gruff newspaper editor.

However, as the plot unfolds, they develop a complicated relationship that leads to moments of confusion and arguments.

The film, shot in black and white, offered a period feel that contrasted with Day's colorful musicals.

It was a subtle comedy that delved into the value of education versus life experience.

Despite Gable being over 20 years older than Day, their characters connected effortlessly on-screen, thanks to Gable's famous charm.

Teacher's Pet was a critical and commercial success, earning two Academy Award nominations.

Sadly, it marked one of Gable's final films, as he passed away from a heart attack in 1960 at the age of 59.

Day always spoke fondly of her co-star, describing him as “as masculine as any man I've ever known” and noting his unique blend of maturity and boyishness that had a “devastating effect” on women.

In her later years, after retiring from acting, Day dedicated herself to animal welfare.

She established the Doris Day Animal League and continued to advocate for the well-being of animals until her passing.

Her legacy lives on through her timeless records and films, which continue to be beloved by audiences around the world.

As we remember the iconic partnership between Doris Day and Clark Gable, we celebrate their contributions to the golden era of Hollywood and their enduring impact on the world of entertainment.