Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life

I have always liked this photo of Bob and Audrey Totter, mostly because of the look on Audrey's face.  It was some time before I noticed the bracelet Bob is wearing.

Bob also wore a bracelet during the filming of  They Were Expendable.  It is the only other time I have noticed him wearing it. 

 I some how doubt Bob was making a fashion statement.  Do you know the significance of the bracelet?  Perhaps a holdover from his military service or a token of remembrance from his family when he went overseas?  Always curious about everything Montgomery, and every once in a while I actually find an answer!  Once in a while...

Adolphe, Verree, Betty and Bob on the Town

Adolphe Menjou and Bob Montgomery both dressed elegantly, drove an ambulance in France (Menjou in WWI, Bob in WWII) and seemingly admired Verree Teasdale.  This photo is dated November 27, 1933 ... a simple Thanksgiving evening spent with friends?  Looks just like the gathering at our Thanksgiving ... yeah, sure. 

New Elizabeth Montgomery Book

We would be remiss if we didn't mention the release of Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery. Am I going to read it, probably not (but Kathy might...and give us a review ;0)  Not much interest in my end about her.

Now the real question: Who was a better Darrin?  Dick York or Dick Sargent?

Dick York of course.

That is all.

Cagney and Montgomery (X 2)

Speaking of Cagneys ... and Montgomerys.

James Cagney, Jr., and Robert Montgomery, Jr., temporarily took over their famous fathers' chairs during location shooting in San Diego, Cal., of The Gallant Hours. 

The Third Cagney

Robert Montgomery glances through the program of the Warner Bros. picture “The Strawberry Blonde,” while the star of the film James Cagney and the producer Bill Cagney look on. The boys are attending the huge Strawberry Blonde party held before the preview of the picture.

Hoping You Enjoy Your Thanksgiving

 No Matter how you choose to celebrate it.

Adding Color to a Black & White World

Most of the movies I enjoy were filmed in black and white, one part of the equation for making those great movies.  Colorization messes up the equation, rarely improves the movie (except for Yankee Doodle Dandy, which screams out to have been filmed in glorious Technicolor!)   Anyway, I do appreciate a little color on occasion.  Music sheets help meet that need, which is good since those gorgeous posters out there are way out of my price range!  Examples follow.  I apologize for the shortcomings of my scanner. 

Expendable Concertina

Thought I'd keep up the They Were Expendable theme:

 

I honestly think that at one time, everyone knew how to play one of those things.

One of These Days ...

I rather like They Were Expendable.  It's a wonderful blend of a number of my movie passions.   It's a WWII movie, and  a very good one at that.  John Ford directs, John Wayne co-stars and Ward Bond is in the cast --- your basic Ford/Wayne movie.  The ending is superb, brings a few tears to my eyes every time I see it.  I do so enjoy a movie that can stir my emotions --- this movie does it.

And Bob's in it, giving one of his best performances.  In later years, when asked what performances he was proudest of, he mentions Night Must Fall, Here Comes Mr. Jordan, and The Earl of Chicago ... never this movie.  I really do not understand that.  Perhaps he felt there was "less" acting involved since he was basically portraying the actual Bob from his Pacific tour of duty?  As good a guess as any, I guess!

Anyway, back to my passions:  men in uniform, Bob in uniform, Bob in white.  Bob in a white uniform ... yikes!  I recently bought a copy of the book, the 1945 motion picture edition of TWE, with the chance that it would contain a copy of the bar scene with the officers wearing their dress whites.  It did!!  Made my day.  Now, if I could find an original photo still of the same scene, as in one that's a tad clearer then the one below ... would I sell the farm??  (Oh, YES!)

Are We All Ready for Winter?

Brrrrrrr ... As I begin writing this, it is 9 degrees in North Dakota.  I guess I can't complain about my 47 degree weather.  But, then, I'm not used to cold weather, have lived in CA too long.  Not sure I could survive a Midwest winter again.  Now, if we had the attire Bob and Betty are sporting ... you think they might be overdoing it a bit for Los Angeles in January?  And were fur coats for men really that stylish in 1940?  Ahhh, who am I to question the always impeccably dressed, elegant and debonair Mr. Robert Montgomery.  But, still ...

Veterans Day, A Day of Remembrance

My Dad was an Army grunt in WWII.  He made getting shot in the Battle of the Bulge into a humorous story.  It really wasn't.  He was an unremarkable farm boy from Missouri who left his wife and infant son behind to travel to war in a foreign land.  He was one of many, so many, who simply did what they were asked, served their country and, by doing so, became remarkable for their sacrifices.

The picture below of Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery was taken soon after his return home from serving in the Pacific.  He looks tired and every day of his 39 years of age, the surface effects of war.  He was one of the remarkable many who to this day continue to amaze us by their service.  We all owe them our thanks, and the least we can do is remember them.

Daughter of the Jungle

Photo montages from a Danish herald for Untamed (1929).  I'm rather partial to the boxing scenes.  Bob was ... uh ... an energetic boxer. 

And, so we don't forget who was THE  star of the movie ...

"... he will reach stardom shortly." Do you think?

Quick ... Where's Bob?

I hope this helps.

    Joan, Bob and Director Clarence Brown on the set of Letty Lynton.

A beautifully staged movie with a great cast ... and this movie is STILL not available on DVD?!  Life can be so unjust.