How Young Can One Be

I have featured this photo on the site previously.  It is a trimmed (darn it!) photo, some lucky fan of Bob's obviously made it fit a photo frame.  The bottom of the photo contained the studio identification information, Robert Montgomery and MGM spelled out on the left, and RM - 1 on the far right.  Bob came to Hollywood in January, 1929, which would date the photo as being early 1929.  It may not be the earliest portrait of Bob taken in Hollywood, not all were numbered, but at least there is some idea as to when it was taken. 

I ran across the photo below recently.  No information came with it, have not seen it before.  I am guessing it was not taken at the studio.  The pose is unusual, no photography studio identification either.  Perhaps Bob set up the photo by himself?  He was a photography nut from his early youth.  The hairline is very close to what it is in the prior photo, could be an indication it was taken at or near the same time. 

I am guessing late 1928 while still in New York.  That would make him 24 years old.  But just guessing.  What do you think?  Am I in the ballpark? 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'll have to say that snarfing up leftovers is my favorite part of the day's festivities.  The rather hectic day has almost concluded, the bird/pie/side dish was/or wasn't once again a success and I have had time to rest my aching feet.  No more shopping for the meal, hurrying out to get that one essential item I've overlooked.  Sheer relief that I have survived, plenty of cold turkey as my reward.  Fortifying myself for the Christmas onslaught!

The Easiest Way

Great photo of Bob and Constance Bennett in a scene from The Easiest Way (1931).  Impressive setting.  The Sierras are still impressive, just a tad more crowded, as is all of California!  

Take out the scenery and you still have a nifty photo of the two young lovers.

Get one step closer and you can really appreciate young Bob's great mop of hair.  Constance had to perm her hair, while Bob used hair oil to try to manage his curls and waves.  And that's one proud ear!

Clifton Webb, b. November 19, 1889

I have always liked Clifton Webb.  Interesting character.  Started off as a dancer, appearing on Broadway. 

Having seen Webb in Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit on Broadway, Director Otto Preminger insisted on having Webb cast in his movie Laura (1944), as the villain Waldo Lydecker.  Great part and great performance by Mr. Webb, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. IMO he should have won, but it was the year of Going My Way and Barry Fitzgerald had it sewn up.  Claude Rains (Mr. Skeffington) and Monty Woolley (Since You Went Away) were also nominated ... some tough competition! 

In 1948 Webb starred in Sitting Pretty, the first of several Mr. Belvedere movies, playing a character patterned on Mr. Webb's real-life persona: "fastidious, fussy, abrasive and condescending."  A nicer version of that character appears in Cheaper by the Dozen (1950), with Webb as the father of all those kids and Myrna Loy as the ever-understanding wife and mother. 

Webb lived with his mother Maybelle until her death at 91.  He was inconsolable for a year after her death.  Noel Coward, a close friend of Webb's, is quoted as saying:  "It must be difficult to be orphaned at 70." 

Where's Bob? And Some This 'N That

Greetings to Jack Flynn ... wonder who he was?  I am guessing the card is from 1940, or there about. 

Sorry about the small size of the picture below, and it's not the greatest drawing of Bob.  I found him by looking for his hairline ... 

This is "Red Feather" by Winslow Homer, a gift to the Wadsworth Atheneum of Hartford, CT, by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Montgomery.  Bob wasn't much of a modern art enthusiast. 

This small blurb is from the September 16th, 1933, issue of Film Pictorial.  The concept of 'working titles' must have been confusing for fans awaiting the release of Transcontinental Bus, when the title has been changed to Fugitive Lovers.  At least it was a better title, as was Mystery of Mr. X an improvement over Mystery of the Dead Police. 

Veterans Day Tomorrow, Don't Forget Your Flag!

President Montgomery ... Like the Sound of It

Volunteered to serve his country in wartime, for four long years, even though he was past draft age and could have sat out the war.  Served his country again as media consultant for President Eisenhower, without being compensated ... making his millions from hard work and good business sense, not from the public trough. 

 A man of class and total integrity. 

Wouldn't stand a chance in today's politics.

 

Happy Birthday (Nov. 5), Mr. McCrea!

My, what a beautiful young man. 

The women certainly found him appealing ... looking great in a tux or au naturel!

          Joel and Fay Wray in The Richest Girl in the World (1934)

 As he aged, Mr. McCrea entered his oh, so handsome stage. 

Yes, Happy Birthday, Joel ... a nice guy, handsome and a millionaire ... what's not to like!

Well ... Not Everyone Was a Fan of Bob's

An unusually critical article from the May, 1933, issue of "Picture Play," this is definitely worth the read.