Another Handsome Critter of the Golden Age

This is a change of pace post.  No Bob.  Had the urge to share a few photos of Cary Grant instead.    Cary was another one of those extremely handsome actors that populated the Golden Age of movies.  In the photo below, he is 33 years old and quite the hunk.  I apologize that the photo shows sign of deterioration, obviously an original silver nitrate photo.  But the face is still intact and that is what counts. 

                                    Talk of the Town (1937)

Mr. Grant made an impressive number of very good and successful movies.  Going free lance once his initial contract with Paramount expired, Cary showed his excellent business sense by the movies he chose to make.  Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) is one of my favorites, so clever and witty, with the perfect Mrs. Blandings, Myrna Loy. 

        Cary and Myrna Loy in Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

And then there is Dudley from the classic The Bishop's Wife (1947).  Can you imagine anyone else in that role? 

Many a Pleasant Dream ...

You just can't have too many ways of displaying photos of your favorite stars.  The pop up easels below would appear to be a very inexpensive kind of photo, frame all-in-one.  Perfect for teens on tight budgets.  The photo is printed directly on cardboard with the easel part of the back.  These are about 5"x7", just right for a small display area, like a teen's nightstand.  (Yes, I know this doesn't apply to today's teen!  But those in the 1930s, 1940s ... a world of difference.)

To illustrate a slight problem with the easels, this Bob pop up has lost its easel.  Still a great picture to have.

And some fans even displayed photos of other stars besides our Bob.  Clark Gable I understand.  In college, I had the Rhett Butler playing cards poster tacked to the ceiling above my bed.  Many a pleasant dream ...

One of the few people who could wear an Ascot

A portrait of Bob taken during the making of Hide-Out in June/July of 1934.  Which means he has just turned 30 years old.  I like the overall sense of smugness, yet with humor sparkling in his eyes.    Such a handsome critter. 

An Ambitious Youth Was He

A 1929 interview with the very young Mr. Montgomery follows.  It may well be the first time his path to the movies has been told, which would explain the different twists of the tale.  There is a buddy who travels with him on the oil tanker in this one and they actually travel all the way to Los Angeles to try to break into the movies, before Bob goes to NYC to begin his theater career.   Oh, well, it is a fun read. 

Old Bob's Signature More Legible than Mine!!

As it has been noted a time or two in the past, I rather enjoy collecting Bob autographed photos.  Tis a great combination of a good photo of Mr. Montgomery and knowledge that we both handled it that makes it extra special for me. 

           Bob and Rosalind Russell in Live, Love and Learn (1937)
 

This autographed photo is from the private collection of a Mr. Harry Wilkinson of Marblehead, MA.  Please look at the bottom stamp: "AFTER AUTOGRAPHING Kindly Return TO:" with the date 6-81 written by hand.  I'm assuming that is the date the photo was returned to Harry.  And the significance of that date ... Bob died in 9-81.  So he signed this only three months before his death.   Nifty.  Now, if I could only find something of his from his youth!