Holiday Wishes From CM

 

Required, tacky Christmas image.

 

...or if you prefer...

Fueling the Letty Lynton Rumor Mill

Holy cow if this is true...

Via Lou Lumenick's Dec. 20 column:

And finally, there's a pretty strong hint that Clarence Brown's "Letty Lynton'' (1933), which has never been shown on TV much less released on video, may finally become available in 2012. A query was posted to Warner Archive Collection's Facebook page the other day about this "holy grail'' title, which was pulled from circulation by MGM in 1935 to settle a plagiarism suit.

"We're trying and ready to write a check to make it happen,'' came the response almost certainly written by WHV marketing VP George Feltenstein. If a deal can be struck in time, "Letty'' could turn up at the 2012 TCM Classic Film Festival (titles announced so far are here) in April and be available on DVD by the end of the year.

Read more on Lou's page.

Another Language

I just want to welcome back Anna to blogging! Do check out her Crowd Roars blog - she's talking about Another Language (1933), which I hope the Warner Archives releases to DVD soon.

 

Odd as it may seem, I love the drapes in their apartment. The perfect Art Deco style.

Robert Montgomery Collection DVD Set

Received in today's mail....

 

Props to WB for not issuing this as a massive DVD box that just sucks up room on your shelf (it's the size of a regular DVD box). On the flip side, I was hoping to see some artwork for all of the films, but alas, it's just Bob staring you on each DVD.

See You at Loew's

Early Loew's Theater promo card with a far from original signature.

No wonder I missed him...I was at Lowe's.

Top Hat Taylor

 

Just love the composition on this one with the hat. Uh oh, I'm getting technical.

Be Seated

 

It's sll about the upholstery.
Date? Right before the war? Any guesses?

Happy Thanksgiving

 

On the set of No More Turkeys.
Remember to enjoy the leftovers. It's the best part.

Two Words - DVD Set!

I never thought I'd ever write the phrase "Robert Montgomery DVD Set" here and not be joking.  Well, today is the day.

The Warner Archive collection is taking pre-orders on The Robert Montgomery Collection. That's right folks, $44.95 for this December 6 release will get you the following new-to-DVD titles:

• Shipmates (1931)
• The Man in Possession (1931)
• Faithless (1932)
• Lovers Courageous (1932)
• But the Flesh Is Weak (1932)
• Made on Broadway (1933)
• Live, Love and Learn (1937)
• The Earl of Chicago (1940)

Eight movies on four disks.

Can I put in a vote for Letty Lynton?

Hide-Out (1934)

 

Bob & Maureen O'Sullivan.
I'm still waiting for the sequel when Lucky gets out of jail...ho hum.

Robert Taylor Fangirls

I'm just having too much fun with this theme - this time, with some calm, collected Robert Taylor fangirls:

 

30s-ish. What, no security?

 

Going "Above and Beyond" in 1952.
In this case, Eleanor Parker is the one doing the signing.

Hurrell Riptide

Finally, have this Hurrell photo tied to a better time-frame - 1934:

 

 A new camera study of Robert Montgomery, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star, who will be seen in the near future with Norma Shearer, in "Riptide," which is being directed by Edmund Goulding.

Some 1930s Bob Fans

 

Nice to see the fans so well-behaved ;)

Bark & Bob

I've posted this photo before:

 

But just discovered it's "companion" image in my "junque" folder:

 

The pooch in the photos is MGM All Barkie star Buster. I believe the other gentleman in the photo is William Bakewell. And if I totally messed this up, let me know!

Montgomery Escadrille

 

The description is almost better than the photo itself, although I've never heard of Bob collecting a squadron of flying model planes before....Hollywood embellishment?

FILM STAR COLLECTS MINIATURE AIRPLANES

HOLLYWOOD --- Robert Montgomery, motion picture star, has gone aeronautical minded in a big way. He’s collecting miniature planes, and as soon as he has enough he’s going to form the Montgomery Escadrille. In this photo, Montgomery displays a miniature airplane given him on his birthday by his friend, Reginald Denny, screen actor. The plane is powered with a one-cylinder gasoline motor that enables it to stay aloft up to four hours, attaining an altitude of 4,000 feet. When the gasoline runs out it glides down to a “3-point” landing.

Photo is dated June 12, 1935

Robert Montgomery - Harvey White Portrait

Also in Mick LaSale's Dangerous Men book, this photo is labeled as an unretouched Harvey White photo.

Question About Eye Witness

Hey fans, Robert posted a question to the blog and I'm at a loss. Can anyone assist? If you know, please post!

Could anyone point me in the right direction? I watched "Eye Witness," loved it and wondered if the site location in England was a studio set or a real village that could be visited. Thanks, Robert.

I thought it was filmed abroad, but can't find where I read that.

And a quick reminder, Eye Witness was released on DVD earlier this year.

100 Years of Robert Taylor

Just feeling a bit western tonight...

Summertime and the Blogging is Slow

Sorry, I'm not ignoring you (or Bob), just enjoying summer while I can!

A Robert Doubleheader

Get your DVR ready for July 14 - TCM has a Robert Montgomery/Robert Young day of films set. Times below are eastern, so check your local schedule! What TCM should do is play Hell Below in between, which has both Bobs in it.

7:15 AM
Shipmates (1931)
A young sailor falls for the captain's daughter.
Dir: Harry Pollard Cast: Robert Montgomery, Ernest Torrence, Dorothy Jordan.

8:30 AM
Another Language (1933)
A newlywed discovers that she and her husband's snobby family speak different languages.
Dir: Edward H. Griffith Cast: Helen Hayes, Robert Montgomery, Louise Closser Hale.

10:00 AM
Three Loves Has Nancy (1938)
A country girl follows the man who jilted her to the big city, where she finds two new suitors.
Dir: Richard Thorpe Cast: Janet Gaynor, Robert Montgomery, Franchot Tone.

11:15 AM
Last of Mrs. Cheyney, The (1937)
A chic jewel thief in England falls in love with one of her marks.
Dir: Richard Boleslawski Cast: Joan Crawford, William Powell, Robert Montgomery.

1:00 PM
Right To Romance, The (1933)
A lady plastic surgeon jeopardizes her marriage when her ex-boyfriend is scarred.
Dir: Alfred Santell Cast: Ann Harding, Robert Young, Nils Asther.

2:15 PM
Calm Yourself (1935)
An advertising man takes off after kidnappers.
Dir: George B. Seitz Cast: Robert Young, Madge Evans, Betty Furness.

3:30 PM
Bride Walks Out, The (1936)
A model weds a struggling engineer then has her own struggles with domesticity.
Dir: Leigh Jason Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Raymond, Robert Young.

5:00 PM
Longest Night, The (1936)
A department-store head tries to stop a gangland plot.
Dir: Errol Taggart Cast: Robert Young, Florence Rice, Ted Healy.

6:00 PM
Bride Wore Red, The (1937)
A chorus girl crashes an exclusive Swiss resort to snare a rich husband.
Dir: Dorothy Arzner Cast: Joan Crawford, Franchot Tone, Robert Young.

Strings n Things

Some serious tennis racket string analysis goin' on here...

Chester & Bob

Chester Morris & Robert Montgomery.
Seriously, a photo can't get much cooler than this.

Night Flight Now on DVD

As of today, Night Flight (1933) is now on DVD. A nice surprise in my mail today as I had pre-ordered from Amazon months ago. Add another Montgomery movie to the DVD list...

With Humble Gratitude

I'm breaking my "don't post what's on ebay" rule, but I couldn't pass this autographed Robert Young photo up (no, I'm not bidding...). Someone, give it a good home!

The Start of Summer, Montgomery Style

Robert Montgomery behind the wheel of his new yacht, Jacksonville, FL, 1961.

I feel so bad . . . I have no notes on who emailed me this photo. Drop me a comment - I want to make sure you get credit!

Programming Alert: Piccadilly Jim

Just found out that TCM will be showing Piccadilly Jim on June 1, 1:15 PM (Central, check your local listings!). Do DVR it, it's rarely shown. If that's not enough to watch, Robert Benchley and Madge Evans are in it, too!

Happy Birthday, Robert Montgomery!

Early Ruth Harriet Louise Portrait

The Big House - 1930

They Were Expendable - 1945

Robert Montgomery Presents: The Lost Weekend - 1955

Media History Digital Library Update

Robert Montgomery historians may want to check out the recent additions to Archive.org from the Media History Digital Library Project: issues of The Film Daily. To-date, it appears to be early issues 1927-1929. If you find anything good, drop me a note!

And this has been bugging me -I forgot where I had found out about this. Just remembered: The Shelf!

Back to Regular Programming: Robert Montgomery

Thanks for indulging me with all my Ray Milland rambles this month. We now resume Robert Montgomery programming.

Not on TCM This Month: Skylark

Before I ever got a copy of Skylark to watch, I had listened to it half a dozen times on my MP3 player. To be honest, I think I like the 1942 Lux Radio Theater version better! I'm not going through the plot here, that's what the IMDB is for.

If you've seen the movie - or not - download the MP3 and have a listen (you'll be taken to the Times Past OTR Archive - scroll way down!)

And if you search good enough on YouTube, you might find Skylark as well (hint hint).

Awesome match: Ray and Claudette Colbert

Fugitive Lovers (1934)

Thanks to Renee for the photo

Not on TCM This Month: Are Husbands Necessary?

One from the "haven't seen" list. You have to love classic poster art. The woman in red seems to be conjuring a black hole and or having a seizure.

What's My Line, Ray?

Not on TCM This Month: Alias Nick Beal (1949)

Oh hell...

While TCM won't be playing Alias Nick Beal this month, we have the next best thing: the Screen Director's Playhouse version from December 28, 1950. And have no fear, the devil in this version is Ray Milland as well. Visit Archive.org with this link and scroll down to download the MP3.

Classic Milland

It's April. It's Ray month on TCM. Let the recording begin!

April 5

8:00 PM - The Major and the Minor (1942)
Cast: Ginger Rogers, Ray Milland, Diana Lynn. Dir: Billy Wilder.

10:00 PM - Crystal Ball, The (1943)
Cast: Ray Milland, Paulette Goddard, Gladys George. Dir: Elliott Nugent.

11:30 PM - A Woman of Distinction (1950)
Cast: Rosalind Russell, Ray Milland, Edmund Gwenn. Dir: Edward Buzzell.

1:00 AM - The Doctor Takes A Wife (1940)
Cast: Loretta Young, Ray Milland, Reginald Gardiner. Dir: Alexander Hall.

2:45 AM - Irene (1940)
Cast: Anna Neagle, Ray Milland, Roland Young. Dir: Herbert Wilcox.

4:30 AM - The Bachelor Father (1931)
Cast: Marion Davies, C. Aubrey Smith, Ray Milland. Dir: Robert Z. Leonard.

April 7

8:00 PM - The Uninvited (1944)
Cast: Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Donald Crisp. Dir: Lewis Allen.

April 12

8:00 PM - So Evil My Love (1948)
Cast: Ray Milland, Ann Todd, Geraldine Fitzgerald. Dir: Lewis Allen.

10:00 PM - Dial M for Murder (1954)
Cast: Grace Kelly, Ray Milland, Robert Cummings. Dir: Alfred Hitchcock.

12 AM - The Safecracker (1958)
Cast: Ray Milland, Barry Jones, Jeanette Sterke. Dir: Ray Milland.

2:00 AM - Ministry Of Fear (1944)
Cast: Ray Milland, Marjorie Reynolds, Dan Duryea. Dir: Fritz Lang.

3:30 AM - Hostile Witness (1968)
Cast: Ray Milland, Sylvia Syms, Felix Aylmer. Dir: Ray Milland.

5:15 AM - Payment Deferred (1932)
Cast: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Sullivan, Ray Milland. Dir: Lothar Mendes.

6:45 AM - Blonde Crazy (1931)
Cast: James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Ray Milland. Dir: Roy Del Ruth.

April 19

8:00 PM - Kitty (1945)
Cast: Paulette Goddard, Ray Milland, Patric Knowles. Dir: Mitchell Leisen.

10:00 PM - Reap The Wild Wind (1942)
Cast: Ray Milland, Susan Hayward, John Wayne. Dir: Cecil B. DeMille.

12:15 AM - Beau Geste (1939)
Cast: Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Robert Preston. Dir: William A. Wellman.

2:15 AM - Everything Happens at Night (1939)
Cast: Sonja Henie, Ray Milland, Robert Cummings. Dir: Irving Cummings.

3:45 AM - The Uninvited (1944)
Cast: Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Donald Crisp. Dir: Lewis Allen.

6:00 AM - Wise Girl (1937)
Cast: Miriam Hopkins, Ray Milland, Walter Abel. Dir: Leigh Jason.

April 26

8:00 PM - The Lost Weekend (1945)
Cast: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Howard Da Silva. Dir: Billy Wilder.

10:00 PM - Close to My Heart (1951)
Cast: Ray Milland, Gene Tierney, Fay Bainter. Dir: William Keighley.

11:45 PM - High Flight (1957)
Cast: Ray Milland, Bernard Lee, Kenneth Haigh. Dir: John Gilling.

1:15 AM - Night Into Morning (1951)
Cast: Ray Milland, John Hodiak, Nancy Davis. Dir: Fletcher Markle.

2:45 AM - A Life of Her Own (1950)
Cast: Lana Turner, Ray Milland, Tom Ewell. Dir: George Cukor.

More Fan Favs

Thanks to Desiree for providing a few of her favorite photos. Desiree also runs the Rosalind Russell blog - go check it out!

Fast and Loose: One of my fav's too

Behind the scenes on Night Must Fall

Three Live Ghosts: The one Bob flick we may never get to see

A Star Has Died. Do You Know Where Your Collectibles Are?

I just read about the passing of Elizabeth Taylor. I'll have to admit, I've only seen one or two of her films, so I know very little of her work (recommendations welcomed!).

This post is less about Ms. Taylor and more about the feeding frenzy now going on Ebay. As of 3:45 PM today, 115 pages of goods. Yes, we have:

• Tribute t-shirts
• Barbie dolls
• Autographs ranging from $10 to $2,500 - mostly fake I'm sure
  
• Ice cream caps
• Maltese dog ornaments
• Birthday programs (did you ever have a program for your b-day?)
• Beanie baby bears
  

I'm sure as the evening goes on, the number of items will only increase. The free market in action, that's for sure.

Kids, buyer beware. And Ms. Taylor, rest in peace.