Speaking of Aging

... ever so gracefully.

                                    William Powell at 61

He Could Still Put a Smile on a Lady's Face

There aren't many off-screen pictures of Mr. Montgomery taken in the late 1940s, which I find rather unfortunate.  Of course he was aging, but he seemed so much younger (and handsomer) in the few candid shots I have seen, than on the big screen with a lot of make-up to hide the wrinkles. 

I like the squinting eyes.  Not used to a flash camera?  Our myopic Bob trying to see John's face clearly? 

       Bob, Susan Hayward and John Payne, The Saxon Charm (1948)

All Good Wishes, Robert Montgomery

It's Bob in February, 1933, giving an interview to publicize Hell Below.

Photo Caption:  "She didn't want sympathy.  So Robert Montgomery put his autograph on the plaster cast of Eileen Percy, actress-newspaper writer, who broke her ankle.  And now all the stars are doing it."  

A slightly extreme measure to get Bob to caress my foot, but ...

Bob in a White Tux Jacket ... Rrrrf!

From a 10" x 13" original photo ...

... to a 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" Ross postcard ...

... a classy photo of a classy young man can just take your breath away.   

Happy Valentine's Day from the Smiths!

Bob Profile from the Feb. 6, 1955 Detroit Times

Imperfection Found at the Montgomery Estate!

I have always enjoyed this portrait of Bob taken at his home in 1938 by Willinger.  Nice environmental portrait ... Bob in his library, admiring a boat sculpture, chewing on his pipe and wearing his "movie tie" - decorated with rows of film canisters. 

It is always nice to get a closer view of Bob's face ...  You can just make out those film canisters.

Zeroing in on the table, you can just make out the essential ash tray, part of what appears to be a bowl of cigarettes, a pipe stand, and the large wooden apple ... I think.  Wonder what he kept in it.  Do you think the small box on the left was for matches? 

And perhaps going one step too close ... water rings on the table top!!!  Imperfection at the Montgomery estate!  Egads. 

William Clark Gable of Cadiz, Ohio

I am continually forgetting Clark Gable's birthday, a real mental block.  As Mr. Montgomery is the "Man of My Dreams" present day, Clark was the same of my youth.  What a hunk.  That huge smile.  The great voice.  Just so full of life.   

Clark was born February 1, 1901 and died November 16, 1960.  Only 59.  I remember when he passed.  It hurt.  I cried.   The King died and the whole country mourned.  It was a different time.

Next year I will remember.