And a Star is Born!

 The following review of Shipmates (1931) is found in the June, 1931, issue of Movie Romances.  

          Cliff Edwards and MGM's newest star, Robert Montgomery

                                     Bob and Dorothy Jordan

Now I'm not saying the review was influenced by MGM.  It is just a coincidence, I'm sure, that this full-page color advertisement for Shipmates also appeared in the magazine.  

So, Bob was only a Substitute on the Team?

 

Nora Gregor and Robert Montgomery.

 

Ralph Forbes standing at the trophy table.  That's Neil Hamilton, seated, with the soft hat and the dark glasses.  Behind him is Spencer Tracy.

Guinn Williams, Dr. Wilson, Harry Branders (with broken wrist) and Robert Montgomery helping him off the field.  Bob will change his clothes and take the injured player's place on the field.

At the edge of the field, Bob Montgomery, Henri de la Falaise, Constance Bennett and Guinn Williams.

After the game there was much business of autographing the polo balls.  Below, Bob Montgomery is signing on the stitched line.  Constance Bennett, Mrs. J. Thompson, Henri de la Falaise de la Coudraye and David Manners are also in the group.

And now Constance adds her famous signature.

Constance Talmadge, Mrs. Jack Lawrence, Guinn Williams (back to camera), Johnny Mack Brown and Will Rogers.  

I'd put good money on the possibility that the blurry young man in his polo outfit who is entertaining the ladies, is Mr. Montgomery.  

What's Better than Bob? Six Bobs ....

Good month for Bob on TCM.  There are six movies coming and going, all of them in the better Robert Montgomery films group.  

Two movies are almost through their showing.  Private Lives (1931) ends on the 21st and Piccadilly Jim (1936) the 23rd.  The Divorcee (1930) will be shown until May 1st.  The Man in Possession (1931) is just being shown this morning.  Hope it gets a long run.  Everybody should see the role just made for the young Mr. Montgomery.  He handles it so well.  And an excellent cast simply makes this movie a gem of pre-code Hollywood.  Cheers for Charlotte Greenwood, Irene Purcell, Reginald Owen, C. Aubrey Smith and Beryl Mercer.  

And two more movies will "open" in April:  Lady in the Lake (1946) on the 20th and Night Must Fall (1937) on the 30th.  And everybody should see these two movies ... Mr. Montgomery's passions.  

Some great viewing!  Enjoy.  

Bravo, Ms. Crawford!!

It has been forever since I last did a blog entry on Joan Crawford.  Used to think she got enough coverage from other sites so that it would be best to spend my time on Bob, who so seldom gets mentioned these days.  However, it does seem the remembrances of her are from those trashy horror films she made late in her career, and, more positively, the tough broad films of the 1940s.  

Joan Crawford, to me, is the young star of the 1930s.  She reaches the very top of her profession in her mid-20's, and she definitely came up all the way from the very bottom with a determination unmatched by few souls.  I mean, having teeth pulled to sharpen your facial image was a mild step for her to take in that uphill climb.  

Doug and Joan ... the best-looking couple ever?  Darn close, if not.  

I'm guessing most Crawford fans would have to agree that the blonde look did not work for Joan.  

The caption for this magazine clipping discusses Joan's well-maintained body.  That her face may not be beautiful, but the rest of her makes up for it.  And I'm sure she worked hard at it, as she apparently did for everything she wanted.  (The magazine gave Hurrell credit for the photograph.  Not his usual style.)

Gooooo, Joanie!  

Not a Bob by Hurrell, But Ever So Nice

                    Clark Gable, Photo by C. S. Bull, Sept., 1936 

 

My.