Bob's Lifestyle in the 1950s

It's the 1950s, Hollywood is behind him and Bob is successful once more, this time as a television producer in New York City.  And successful people were seen at the best restaurants in town, always available for the photographer who is documenting the goings on of celebrities for the society columns.  Whether it's with daughter Liz at the Stork Club ...

or Buffy, the new Mrs. Montgomery, Bob is wearing a big smile.  He's a happy, successful man spending evenings with the ladies he love.  (The photo of Buffy is highly unflattering of her, doesn't even look like her.  But Bob's smile says it really is her.) 

Bob was able to pay for the expensive NYC lifestyle by producing, narrating and sometimes starring in Robert Montgomery Presents (1950-1957).  Bob was making as much as $500,000 a year from his NBC contract.  Not bad, except for the 90% tax bracket this put him in.  90% ... wouldn't the present-day top 1% have fits faced with that tax bill!  (Wouldn't any of us ...)

Bob with Burgess Meredith on the set of Robert Montgomery Presents

If This is Tuesday, it Must be Belgium....

Is it really Tuesday already?!!  I must be suffering from AHHS, Accumulated High Heat Syndrome, which hinders the process of knowing what day of the week it is - sometimes mistaken for encroaching senility. 

Meanwhile ... aren't Bob and Joan a great couple in Letty Lynton (1932), our favorite movie still not available in a non-blurry format.  Bob and that great white suit.  Too good. 

                  Bob and Joan Crawford in Letty Lynton (1932)

5'2", And Oh What Those 5 Feet Could Do

Dorothy Jordan was born August 9, 1906, in Clarksville, Tennessee.  A cute southern belle to be teamed with cute northerner Bob in two movies (Love in the Rough and Shipmates).

In 1933 after four years in the movies, Dorothy decided she'd change her career to marriage and raising three children.  She did make a test for the role of Melanie in Gone With The Wind.  I think she would have been a good choice. 

It's always fun to think of "What ifs" when it comes to classic roles.  My favorite is Bob as the lead in the original stage production of "My Fair Lady".  He was asked to consider the role, not sure how wholeheartedly.  I think the then 50-year-old Bob would have made the role of Professor Henry Higgins His!!!  Of course, he had his TV show and his work for Ike to use as an excuse to avoid trying it.  But, still, wouldn't it be great to have a recording of Bob singing, "I'm just an ordinary Man!"

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Mr. Taylor!

Robert Taylor was a gorgeous young man.  And a handsome man until his much too early death at 57.  I became a big fan watching his TV series The Detectives (1959-62).  He was definitely well into his craggy good looks stage.  Then I discovered 1930s Robert.  Rrffff!

It's Audrey Totter Day on TCM

An entire day of Audrey Totter.  That is a deserving tribute.  There are three excellent movies being shown beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST.  The first one, Tension (1949) co-stars Richard Basehart.  It is a noir classic and Audrey is just terrific, the noir Bad Girl personified. 

High Wall (1947) follows with co-star Robert Taylor.  Audrey gets to play a Good Girl for a change!  And closing up the evening is Lady in the Lake (1946).  Ms. Totter had a great snarl.