One Down, Eight to Go

 Yes, there were a lot of birthdays in August that I missed.  My apologies to a bunch of great performers.  So, let's get going, starting with Ms. Norma Shearer.  She'd appreciate being number one on my list.  It took me a while to appreciate her and her position in the movies.  I think of her as being tough and demanding, but so were most all the stars of that era.  It was - and I'm sure still is - a very tough business.  

Norma was born in Montreal, Canada on August 10, 1902.  To me, one of the niftiest things about her is that she retired from the movies in 1942, married a ski instructor 11 years her junior, and led a very quiet life from then on.  Good move, Ms. Shearer.  

Oh, and Live, Love and Learn (1937) is available for streaming on TCM until September 16th.

Fits into my budget ... Nice stuff $7 and under

 Not sure how they are able to do it so inexpensively, but there are now several companies that are producing very nice prints at decent prices.  Just love this Charles Boyer portrait, but there is no way I could justify paying for an original copy.  I'm even having to pass on Bob items that are so outrageously priced on e-Bay.  

Of course, there are always trade cards available at a decent price.  Believe this one cost me $2.99 plus $2 shipping.  

Another nifty portrait of Mr. Boyer, born August 28th, 1899.  Have you noticed that Charles is smoking in all three photos?  Ah, the good ole' days.  Anyway, Happy Birthday, Mr. Boyer!

Surprise! An actual post. It has been a while.

 Well, I've survived the heat exhaustion, etc.  My visits to the dentist continue.  One look at my teeth and everyone starts planning next year's vacation.  Meanwhile, ...

There are a lot of Bob-related actors with August birthdays.  Perhaps by the end of September, I'll get caught up with Happy Birthday posts.  Anyway, I'm starting off with Nat Pendleton, who happens to have the same birthday as yours truly, August 9th.  A kindred soul.  

Nat was a wrestler before entering movies, competing in high school and college before going to the 1920 Olympics to win the silver medal for heavyweight wrestling.  After trying professional wrestling for two years, he decided movies would be more lucrative.  And he was right.  

Nat was a presence not easily overlooked when he came on screen.  Below, he appears in Fugitive Lovers (1934) as 'Legs' Caffy, the gangster who had Letty (Madge Evans) on his payroll and follows her as she tries to escape him via bus from New York City.

   Madge Evans (far left) and Nat Pendleton in Fugitive Lovers 

Mr. Pendleton evidently stayed in shape from his wrestling days.  Below are pictures of him as 'Sallow' in The Great Ziegfeld (1936).  Rather impressive for a 41-year-old actor!  

And now we know what Leo the Lion's day job was.  

                     Nat Pendleton in The Great Ziegfeld (1936

A little color for a change

I have discovered the limit of heat my body can withstand; 111 degrees while floating on a raft for 3 hours in our pool.  And the main symptoms of heat exhaustion are nausea, dizziness and fatigue.  Just grand.  Meanwhile, I broke off a crown/tooth at gum level!  Ah, life can be just so wonderful.  Anyway, for now, how about a nifty color photo for a change until I can regain control of my body.  

                                          Gene Raymond

Having difficult time imagining Bob speaking Portuguese

 Cinefilo, meaning film enthusiast or lover, was a Portuguese magazine published in Brazil during the 1930s.  The issue below was published September 5, 1931.  Considering it was printed on inexpensive paper 95 years ago; it is in rather good condition.   

The photograph MGM sent the magazine of Mr. Montgomery was printed on an inexpensive newsprint rather than photographic paper.  It is the same as the photo used in picture frames for sale.  Shipping rates to Brazil from the U.S. must have been quite high in 1931 ... that's one long boat ride.  

It still amazes me how successful Paul Whiteman was during this period.  Not too many portly, balding and middle-aged men make the bigtime these days.  

Irene Purcell's photo is on the back of the magazine.  There are no associated articles inside featuring the stars on the front or back.  That's okay.  I'm not up to having to use google translate these days. Oh, yes, August 7th is Irene's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Ms. Purcell!