Just Wondering

 So ... it is September, 1949.  Bob has wrapped up filming of Eye Witness (1950) and is headed home.  Buffy and the kids returned home August 23rd to get ready for school.  Note that Bob is wearing an overcoat, all nicely tailored of course.  Question:  Whose coat is he carrying?  

After completing the film "Your Witness," Robert Montgomery, left, flew from London Airport today to return to America.  With him as he boarded the plane were Yehudi Menuhin and his wife, who have just finished a European tour.
 

Rrrrrrff!!

 

Two Bobs for the Price of One

 Autographs are nifty.  They're a nice memento of someone you have perhaps met, albeit briefly, or never met in person but would sure like to.  I never met Robert Montgomery, but I do have a "few" mementos of the gentleman, including several dozen autographs.  Handling a piece of paper that he also handled ... as close as I can get!  Anyway ... below is a new addition to the collection.  It's quite a hurried or sloppy version of his more formal signature, but I am rather sure of its authenticity.  I have a July 1, 1939 autograph that is quite similar.  He was in England at the time, a lot of the autographs I have that were taken from autograph books originated in England.  Besides having spent several years overall in England, I'm guessing he was more accessible there.  In the 1930s, Bob was either working at the studio or headed out of LA for peace and quiet. 

What is rather unique with the autograph is what is on the flip side.  Yep, another Bob autograph!  Too much.  The fan went back for seconds?  I can see that.  The attached photo is probably from the late 1930s, which helps determine the time frame of the signature(s).  My day was made.  Twice as close...

Bob, Clark, Spence & Bob ... Just Four Guys Hanging Out in Bob's Dressing Room

 Four ill-at-ease gents looking forward to the departure of the photographer.....  Doubt they had much to say to each other, particularly not for publication.  Bob has spent the prior four years in the service, and for most of 1939 through 1941 was in England or making films at other studios.  Yeah, it had to feel strange to him. 

 Lt. Com. Robert Montgomery, Capt. Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Lt. j/g Robert Taylor

Just a Small Summer Affair at Mayfair (Oops...well it is close to Pickfair!)

I just love photos like this, full of interesting people.  And why are they gathered for this photo?  Seemingly to honor the seated elderly gent, a Mr. Daniel Frohman.  It appears Frohman was one of the theatrical Frohman brothers who were immensely powerful in the theater world in the late 1800s to early 1900s.   Charles, who was the brother in charge, died in 1915 in the sinking of the Lusitania and his syndicate was broken by the Shubert brothers within a year.  Brother Daniel was not left destitute. The Frohmans had set up a new company in 1912, along with Adolph Zukor, they named Famous Players Co., which would later become Paramount.  Daniel became managing director and Mary Pickford starred in their first production.  Twenty-four years later, Pickford invites a few of her closer friends over to Pickfair to honor her former boss.  And they're all so happy to be there...

 Well, I don't think Errol Flynn (27) is enjoying himself.  Evidently, he wasn't told it was a formal event, probably the only gent in the mansion not wearing a tuxedo.  The little lady on the far left is newly wed Mrs. D. W. Griffith.  Only 26, her 61-year-old husband is probably recuperating at home.  Next to her is actress Irene Hervey (27) who is at this time married to singer Allan Jones (28), the gent behind her.  Mary Pickford (44) is to the right of Mr. Frohman, while Una Merkel (32) stands next to her.  Of course, the gent in the center wearing a white tux with boutonniere is our 32-year-old Mr. Montgomery.  Would you call his smile smug?