Sigh ... Such a Gorgeous Young Man

Robert Montgomery at age 26.  Promotional portrait by Hurrell for the movie Shipmates, released April 25, 1931.

Walter and Claudette, Just Two Wild Kids ... Sure!

Speaking of being stereotyped ... hard to imagine Walter Pidgeon as being anything but the stalwart husband, the country minister, and, for god sakes, married to Greer Garson!  Walter, the Swinger, dancing with Claudette Colbert at home in the late 1940s ... well, it just doesn't jive.  (Wonder if they knew anything more current than the Charleston.)

Capturing the Soul of the Character

       Charming, handsome, tormented ... and oh, so very fascinating.

NIGHT MUST FALL was one of the few times in his movie career that Robert Montgomery had both a good script and the challenge of capturing a truly interesting character.  It was a real struggle to get the studio to make the movie, reportedly to the point of agreeing to put his own money into the production.  Three cheers for Mr. Montgomery for giving us Crazy Danny to love and cherish.**

** And a special thanks to Debbie for sharing with us the latest addition to her NMF collection.  Just a gorgeous photo!

Have I Made Myself Perfectly Clear?

                                Ride the Pink Horse (1947)

You can tell Bob is really into the role ... his tie is askew.

Another Challenge for You

      "Irene Dunne enjoys catching up with old friends at the Oscars."

                  "We're American Airlines, doing what we do best."


And the person(s) not (but should have been) identified in the photo taglines are ...

For Sale: Robert Montgomery 16" x 20" George Hurrell Print, Framed

Yup, I'm selling. I have this gorgeous Robert Montgomery photo that I have no place to hang in the house. It is the same photo that was on the cover of the TCM "Now Playing" magazine a few years back for Bob month. So I want to give it a new home.  Here are the details:

• 16 x 20 gelatin silver print by Mark Vieira. Same process George Hurrell used.
• Purchased from HurrellPhotos.com.
• Black metal frame, double matting. All acid free.  UV filtering glass.
• Framed size is 23 x 27.
• $250 OBO + shipping & insurance (item will be professionally packed and shipped since we're dealing with glass).

More than happy to provide more photos or details. If you're interested, or slightly interested, feel free to leave a comment & we'll talk!  It'll probably make its way over to Ebay if I can't sell here.

 

Looking for a Summer Retreat?

Bob and Buffy found this comfy retreat in 1959.   Swan Cove is located just outside East Hampton, NY at 42 Hwy Behind the Pond.  The white lines in the photo below represent the property boundaries of the 3.1 acre estate.  The small group of homes is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Hook Pond and on two sides by the Maidstone Club. 

The structure on the property was originally a dairy barn converted to a summer cottage by Gerald Murphy**.  By the time Bob and Buffy moved in, the "Pink House" had 3,500 sq. ft., 6 bedrooms and 6 baths. 

These pictures were taken when Swan Cove was up for sale in 2009.  It was purchased for $19,000,00 ... woof ... and The Pink House was destroyed and replaced by a 7,450 sq. ft. residence.

I would imagine Bob's favorite part of the property was the 504' direct frontage on Hook Pond with dock.  If you can't go hunting on your property, one needs a boat and access to good fishing, right?!

Bob just had great taste when it came to his residences. 

**  Twas reminded of one of my favorite biographies, Calvin Tomkins' "Living Well is the Best Revenge" about the lives of Gerald and Sara Murphy.  Great read, particularly if you are interested in the literary world of the 1920s. 

Aaaaaaarrrrrrggghh!!!

I don't know if it's the computer, the cable company or me, but I've been having a h... of a time this evening.  I'm obviously not in a good mood for doing a blog entry, too many negative thoughts at present.  So, enjoy this Sept. 19, 1931 issue of the British magazine Picturegoer with a great portrait of our young, beautiful Mr. Montgomery on the cover while I attempt to shut down my computer and then trundle off to bed.  Thanking you for your understanding ...

P.S.  Sad to hear about The Mick's passing.  The last of the 1930s mega stars, a last living connection to the Golden Era of movies.  That's really sad.  Now they are all just shadows in our memories.

Looking Forward to April 16th (And Not Just Because it is the Day After Taxes!)

War Nurse (1930) is certainly not one of Bob's better movies.  However, it is a great movie for Bob watching, just enjoying the ever so young, slender and handsome Mr. Montgomery.  The main drawback is that Bob isn't on the screen enough.  I know, the movie is titled War Nurse, so why would one expect him to be in every scene, but...  At least the movie did produce some of the best stills.

That's June Walker as "Babs" sitting next to Lt. Wally O'Brien.  Wally??  Does Bob look like a Wally to you?  Dill, Sheridan or even Dascom, yes, but Wally?? 

Anyway, I am excited about finally being able to replace my VHS recording of the movie.  Looking forward to watching a clear print, so I can enjoy young Mr. Montgomery to the fullest.  

TCM is showing five Montgomery movies this month (times given are PDT):

              April 10 - 9:45 a.m., Hide-Out (1934)

              April 16 - 7:00 a.m.,  War Nurse (1930)

              April 23 - 5:00 p.m., They Were Expendable (1945)

              April 28 - 6:30 a.m., Free and Easy (1930)

              April 28 - 12:30 p.m. Night Flight (1933)

Gotta Challenge For You

Name one woman in 1930s Hollywood who did not sleep with at least one of these three stars.

              Maurice Chevalier, Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper