Okay, Okay ... I'll go to the Movie!

Cake, Tea and a Ten Minute Break

In most workplaces, a cake and small celebration is given co-workers for their birthdays.  In Hollywood, there is the slight difference of having it staged for the set photographer.  The photo below is from the set of Untamed  (1929) on which they are celebrating Director John Conway's July 19th birthday.  I'm sure Joan Crawford baked the cake for the boss!  Bob is stylish, as always, with a dressing gown swung over his bare shoulders.

Ann Harding serves cake at her own August 7th birthday event on the set of  Biography of a Bachelor Girl (1934).  Bob, far right, is again in a dressing gown, and quite the gown it is...what d'ya think, pure silk? 

There was no information provided for this photo taken on the set of The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937).  None of the principal cast members had birthdays during the filming.  Maybe Joan just had the urge to serve afternoon tea.  It's not the clearest of pictures ... that's William Powell on the far left.  They found an interesting way to get Bob in front of the group.  I'll bet he enjoyed having Joan wait on him ...

Yes, Those Eyes Were Blue!

 Bob and Dennis Weaver join Cagney in his dressing room for this publicity shot for The Gallant Hours.  Gray jacket, white slacks, maroon handkerchief and no tie ... Mr. Montgomery's version of going casual.  Can you imagine the look on Bob's face if someone suggested his wearing only a t-shirt and sweat pants in public, or in private, even?

I'm glad Bob decided to be an extra in his last movie.  Captain Montgomery shaking hands with Cagney in his last big screen appearance, in a film he has directed and produced ... yeah, a nifty way to wrap up his career in the movies.  Actually, this view of Bob was cut from the movie.  In the movie the camera is behind Bob, you only see the back of his head and shoulders.  But you do see the big smile on Cagney's face when they shake hands.  I guess Director Bob won out over Actor Bob.

A Little More Color in our B&W Lives

I can appreciate why Bob filmed The Gallant Hours in black and white, although I would love to have seen it in color.  I have always been impressed by the opening scene, the camera panning down from the highest point of the superstructure to the deck, all levels filled with sailors in their navy blues and at attention.  The still below was obviously taken after the scene was completed, the sailors in the background are definitely at ease.  They're probably getting ready for Cagney's close-up.

When I purchased the negative for the Cagney portrait I used February 6th, I sent a message to the vendor to see if they had any more negatives from The Gallant Hours, especially with Bob in them.  She responded she had some, but not knowing Robert Montgomery, offered to scan copies for me to review...if I was interested.  (Who, me, interested in finding a photo of Bob in color?!!)  Anyway, to make this story short, I did find a couple.  You have to look closely at the photo below ... Bob is at the far right, all dressed up in a captain's uniform (his own, I'm sure), doing an uncredited bit in a scene at the end of the movie.  That's Dennis Weaver shaking hands with Cagney.  

 I have a couple more ... they will be featured in the Thursday entry.  And, yes, there is a better picture of Bob.  Promise. 

Ohhhh .... Poor Baby!

Bob falls at a neighbor's party and fractures his left arm on January 5, 1953.

Bob breaks his left foot in a skiing accident in May, 1957.

A Danny for Debbie

This is a 10 x 13 photo so, of course, it is trimmed.  But the quality is still there.  I've always admired the way Bob could convey his characters in the portraits taken for his movies.  And what thoughts are being hidden by those blue eyes ... murder, mayhem, strangling Louis B.

A Bit of Color for a Change

                   James Cagney in The Gallant Hours (1960)

A Little Warmth for a Cold Winter's Night

                       Bob and Madge Evans in Hell Below (1933)