Another Thrilling Day at the Studio

Ran across this wardrobe test photo of Bob a while back.  Ah, the perfectly dressed and handsome lad was he.  You can tell he'd rather be most anywhere else but the studio playing dress up. 

Below is a still from Live, Love and Learn (1937) with Bob wearing the same outfit.  Note the hankie in his suit pocket is in exactly the same position.  Now that's planning out a movie to the smallest detail.  Love the hat. 

         Helen Vinson (Lily), Bob (Bob) and Barnett Parker (Alfredo)

An Evening With Lucky & Pauline. How Nice!

Real life can be too darn distracting at times...  Meanwhile, Hide-Out (1934) is finally out on DVD!!  Very good.  It was just released Nov. 13th, so I'm not behind too much.  Still a few Bob movies out there to save.  Personally, I'd like to see a decent copy of Unfinished Business (1941).  It was shown at a Gregory LaCava retrospective in Los Angeles a few years back, so it exists!  And when Letty Lynton (1932) is finally dug out of its legal morass, it really needs to be a remastered copy!  After such a long wait, we deserve it!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the Day!

And Just How Can I Get a Tour Ticket?

"SO YOU WANT TO VISIT A MOVIE STUDIO...Well, then, why not take a personally conducted tour through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.  The accompanying pictures show what you would see on the studio lot in Culver City, California. 

PICTURE 5.  As we head for the sound stages we pass the studio barber shop, where Robert Montgomery reads the paper as he gets a shampoo from barber Carl Renner and a nail trim from manicurist Lola Bardsley."

(I wonder if the barber had to sign a non-disclosure clause or if he just knew not to cross Eddie Mannix.)  

I Wonder Who Picked Up the Tab

 Love this photo.  It appears some small photo concern took the photo and decided to try for a few extra dollars selling it as a souvenir of Hollywood.  It is 10x13 inches and the parties are identified in the photo's background.  I somehow wonder if they made any money off it since such items would seem to be rather pricey for the average movie fan in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression and all. 

It is a unique photo of Hollywood royalty.  Douglas Fairbanks was at the top for a very long time, and his son Jr. is well on his way to a successful career of his own.  And Mrs. Fairbanks Jr. (Joan, of course) is rather successful on her own.  Bob Montgomery is doing okay for himself and there's that new super hot property, the young Mr. Gable.  

For a closer look at the couples, first we have Bob and Betty.  Betty is seldom smiling in such photos.  Was she uncomfortable in the group, or in front of a camera? 

Bob and Betty were rather formal in public.  The main physical contact is Betty holding onto Bob's arm.  That's why it is a bit strange seeing Bob's hand on Jr.'s shoulder.  They were best buds at this time, a little "bromance" going on!

Joan and Doug Sr. were definitely not a couple. 

This is the couple that had much of the country wondering.  As in, "Are you kidding me?"  Ria was 17 years older than Clark and not the hot blonde you would expect to be at his side.  (Excuse my cattiness ... just a tad envious!)

To Beard or Not to Beard ...

TCM will be showing SIX Robert Montgomery movies this month!  That's just great of them.  The more Bob's movies are shown, the more chance there is for some fortunate soul to discover our wonderful Mr. Montgomery.   And it's a good variety of some of his better movies, from war movies to a fantasy (Jordan) to a comedy/mystery (Fast and Loose).

Do note the beard on Bob in this still from Hell Below (1930), the first movie being shown.   I have on occasion voiced my dislike of the mustache he wore in Trouble for Two (1936).  (As in why mess with a perfectly handsome face!)  But, the mustache and beard combination seems to work much better for Bob.  I bet it took him just a few days to grow it. 

                     Bob and Walter Huston in Hell Below (1933)

Bob gets to demonstrate his beard-growing talent again in They Were Expendable (1945), the next movie being shown.  That's quite a full beard he has.  Yes, a multi-talented man was our Bob.

   Ward Bond, Bob and John Wayne in They Were Expendable (1945)

All six movies and their show dates and times (all EST):

                Nov  9  - Hell Below (1933) at 1:45 p.m.
                Nov 10 - They Were Expendable (1945) at 5:45 a.m.
                Nov 12 - When Ladies Meet (1933) at 10:45 a.m.
                Nov 17 - Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) at 8:00 p.m.
                Nov 25 - Fast and Loose (1939) at 4:30 a.m.
                Nov 30 - The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937) at 9:30 a.m.

Mark December 1st on Your Calendar!

A tad late Happy Birthday to Mr. Joel McCrea, born November 5, 1905 in Pasadena, CA.  A cowboy at heart, when Joel married actress Frances Dee, the young couple moved to his new ranch house near Moorpark, CA.  The ranch was quite large initially, much of it being sold off during the housing boom in the late 50s and early 60s.  (Mr. McCrea was a very wealthy man.)  The couple remained married until his death in 1990, a mere 57 years later.  

To find out more about the ranch, check out this site, McCrea Ranch Foundation.  Be sure and check the upcoming events.  A tour of the ranch sounds like great fun.