Dillon fancied herself a modern-day Henry Higgins who molded Bill Clark Gable from Ohio into Clark Gable the actor. She went so far as to call herself his “dramatic coach” and declared of him, “He is my creation.” Before the studios took one look at Gable, Dillon had given her younger husband a full makeover (via Far Out Magazine).

“She paid money out of her own purse for Gable to have his teeth as well as his hairstyle properly fixed. Dillon also trained him in body language and helped him lower his naturally high-pitched voice. Under her guidance, Gable improved his posture and speaking habits while also working on his facial expressions. When Dillon finally decided that Gable was ready to take the world by storm, they packed their bags and moved to Hollywood in 1924 as his manager and wife.”

After Gable failed to earn any major film roles, the couple moved to New York where he could try his hand on Broadway. According to Dillon, Gable found both success and a new wife. When they returned to L.A. in 1930, Gable earned supporting roles at Warner Bros and signed a contract with MGM. By 1931, he divorced his svengali and married a wealthy Texan, Rhea Langham.