Hey, Jim ... Let's Make a Movie Together!

Bob at his happiest, directing/producing a movie.  This time it is The Gallant Hours (1960), an opportunity to work with pal Jimmy Cagney.  That was one large project for Bob to take on, first coming up with the idea in the fall of 1957, filming done in 1959 and then finally released in 1960.   

Bob is wearing his directing outfit:  sport jacket, no tie and white slacks.  He wears the same outfit for Lady in the Lake and Ride the Pink Horse photo days.  Did you catch the scuff mark on the lower left pant leg?  He must not have noticed it, I'm sure he had a backup pair. 

Honest and Brave was Mr. Montgomery

TCM is showing Lady in the Lake (1947) on demand until March 31st.  Now I know everyone has seen this movie, but it's the intro and exit comments by TCM's Eddie Muller that I want to recommend to you.  They are quite interesting, some good tidbits not in your basic write-up on the movie.  The exit comments include some really nice words about Mr. Montgomery.  Made my day!

Photo Caption:  "On the first day of production, Montgomery holds an on-the-set conference with George Haight (right) the producer; Stan Fisher (second from right) who wrote the screenplay; and Dolph Zimmer, the assistant Director."

**Thanks to Debbie for finding and sharing the news about the comments. 

Greetings from Hollywood!!

Best guess 1930, from a series of great photos taken by Ruth Harriet Louise.  He just looks so young, and beautiful, nicely shows up the blue eyes.  It doesn't look at all like an MGM postcard.  Maybe Bob had them printed up and sent them to his friends back in New York.  Or it might have been a self-promotion deal, distributing them to tourist souvenir shops.  Yeah, I like the latter. 

Giddiness isn't always left behind in our Youth

For me, the only thing better than a portrait of Bob is an autographed portrait of Bob ... like, that means he actually touched it, right?!   Makes my day.

                               Robert Montgomery (1934)

Stars are Just Like You and Me....Sure.

Just two favorite photos to share with you, quickies you might say. 

The personification of a movie star:

                                   Adolphe Menjou c. 1930

A fan photo taken c. 1943 of Irene Dunne who participated in numerous civic events during the war.  Of course she is wearing pearls at an outdoor event, she is a star and needs to dress the part!  But, I bought this because of a second star in the photo.  Can you pick him out?  Hint:  He is a very good friend of Bob's.  

What a Handsome Pair They Made

Bob and Roz had it down pat by their fourth time as co-stars, appearing as Joel and Garda Sloane in Fast and Loose.  In the photo below, they look comfortable with each other, as if they could have been married.  I like the positioning of Roz's hands.  She is the dominant force in the photo for sure. 

                          Bob and Roz in Fast and Loose (1939)

Montgomery in a Mellow Mood

Article from the December, 1937 issue of "Modern Screen".  Bob is in a chatty mood!

The Best Gift Ever ...

I purchased this photo from a British vendor a while back.  It is a 5 x 7 fan card of Bob's with a handmade border to look like a wooden frame, some kind of cloth cut into strips and painted black, a clever idea.  Dated April 25, 1935,  it is the product of the Depression when resourcefulness was essential.   

Some lucky girl got Bob's photo from her loving Uncle Alf and Auntie Edna.  How nice of them to go to the trouble of getting the fan card and then making the nifty frame.  Considering the great shape it is in today, she evidently treasured it. 

Ya' know ... I'm a tad bit envious.