Thursday, February 25, 2021

And what was Bob doing 79 years ago today ...

"WOMENS NATIONAL PRESS CLUB FETES MONTGOMERY, WASHINGTON, D.C. - Lieut. Robert Montgomery, motion picture star, was guest of honor at luncheon given by the Womens National Press Club here on Feb. 25th at the Hotel Willard.  He is shown with Esther Van Wagoner Tufty, President of the club.  2/25/42.


 I do believe our Mr. Montgomery has won over Esther's heart. 

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Random Thoughts

 I'll bet you don't have Grady Sutton's autograph ...

    Keenan Wynn, Grady Sutton & Laraine Day in My Dear Secretary

 Can you imagine finding out this guy was your new cellmate? 

                       George Bancroft in Thunderbolt (1929)            

I'm guessing our Mr. Montgomery would love to have had Van Johnson's role for the day this was shot.

  Van Johnson, Gig Young & June Allyson in Too Young to Kiss (1951)

Thursday, February 18, 2021

1955 - A Good Year for Mr. Montgomery

 The February 21, 1955 issue of Time Magazine has the latest goings-on in Russia as its cover story, but ...


 ... the big story was our Mr. Montgomery receiving two reviews in a national magazine, and both were positive! 


 Meanwhile, in the Radio & Television section ...


Not bad for a former movie star.  Wouldn't you just love to see his Lost Weekend performance...

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Cold Weather Tips from Bob & Co.

 Oh, you poor souls in the Plains and Midwest!  Sub-freezing daytime temperatures, blowing snow, icy roads ... Aarrgh!   Perhaps Bob and Myrna and Madge and Bette can provide some tips to help you survive your cruel weather. 

 Bob takes time out from filming Petticoat Fever (1936) to model appropriate cold weather clothing.  Never leave home without a good pair of mukluks!

Myrna Loy joins Bob to model heavy fur coats with matching hoods.  Don't they look all warm and cozy...

If you have to drive somewhere in this frigid weather, please stay attentive.  Be sure and dress warmly should something happen, like driving your bus into a fierce snowstorm. 

                  Bob with Madge Evans in Fugitive Lovers (1934)

Of course, a friendly cuddle might be enough to keep you warm.

                    Bob with Bette Davis in June Bride (1948)

And the more the merrier!

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

 From back in the early days of the blog ... thanks to Carrie!


Tuesday, February 09, 2021

Nice Things (Can) Come in Small Packages

 As I've said a few times before, it is just great fun for me to run across a trade card or postcard with a photo of Bob that costs a small percentage of the 8x10 version, if you can find the larger version at all.  

The real photo trade cards can be stunning, such clarity in a small photo.  Maureen O'Sullivan and Bob in a still from Hide-Out (1934) make for a handsome couple, from Maureen's smile to the piece of hay in Bob's mouth.  (Well, you may have to concentrate to see that one!) 


 Two-color trade cards are fairly common.  Some work out better than others.  I would place this photo of Bob in the "slightly-over-the-top" category.  Love the purple match flame.


 There are a number of trading cards with sailor Bob from Shipmates (1931).  This one is a little out of the ordinary.  Of course, the Shipmates publicity shots were all taken by Hurrell.  I have seen the original Hurrell.  Quite nice.  But, until I win the Powerball ...

 

Thursday, February 04, 2021

Con Man Bob Meets Dubious Roz

 "ROBERT MONTGOMERY DISPLAYS HIS TRICK BILL-FOLD....to Rosalind Russell in a moment between scenes in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Night Must Fall".  Bob has pulled this pet trick on everyone in the cast ..."


 I remember this 'trick bill-fold' from my childhood!  Seems my Dad came up with it, his kind of humor.  It was great from the viewpoint of a child.  Roz doesn't seem to be very impressed.  Maybe it was just Bob's pitch...


Tuesday, February 02, 2021

Screen Stars Make Merry

 When I first saw this photo, my first reaction was, where's Betty.  I mean, Betty was kept out of the limelight at the beginning of Bob's career, the first year on the studio's orders since he wasn't even married, as far as the publicity department was concerned.  But by 1936 she appeared at least at the Guild's annual balls and some movie premiers, and she definitely should have been seen with good friends Chester and Suzi Morris.  I finally figured out her absence based on the date of the ball, Feb. 22nd.  Robert Jr. was born January 6th, 1936, only about six weeks before.  Back in the day, new Moms didn't rush back into society wearing slinky ball gowns.  Much relief.  Bob wasn't being a cad after all!

"Pictured as they arrive at the sumptuous third annual Screen Actors Guild Ball at the Los Angeles Biltmore hotel are:  Chester Morris; Mrs. Morris; and Robert Montgomery."  2-22-1936