Hope Your Weekend Was Super!

My apologies.  I meant to let you know I wanted to take a break this week and would be back on June 4th.  But I forgot.  Another reason why I need some time off!  Anyway, some nifty Bob photos to ponder so your checking in with the blog isn't a total waste! 

I Mean, How Cool Can A Guy Be

Just a few words re the photo below, which I used in Tuesday's posting.  It is a personal favorite of mine ... how could it not be!!

The photo back has this description:  "What the well dressed man should wear!  Robert Montgomery, MGM star, for driving in an open car, wears a soft snap-brim felt, double breasted-wide-lapeled camels hair sport coat with perforated pig-skin driving gloves to complete the costume.  A paisley-patterned scarf is also worn."  --- Why, of course!

I normally show my photos "as is", but reverting this photo to B&W produces a really nice print.

You have no doubt seen the coat before.  He is wearing it in this photo taken by Tony von Horn for Conde Nast Publications in 1931.  Because of the coat and the excellent photography, I'm guessing they both may have been taken by von Horn.  I just discovered that Tony was actually a Toni, which might explain her ability to capture Montgomery at his finest. 

And a close-up of the best part of the photo ... rrfff!

Happy Birthday, Robert Montgomery!

Bob, a toast to your highly successful motion picture acting career, and the many hours of entertainment you provided your fans. 

            Bob and Irene Purcell in The Man in Possession (1931)

Officer Montgomery, a toast and thank you for your service to our country. 

                   Lt. Commander Henry Montgomery, Jr. in 1943

Mr. Montgomery, a toast to you for achieving a second round of success as a director/producer in television and director on Broadway. Quite impressive really. 

                        Robert Montgomery Presents (1952)

Happy Birthday, you beautiful, sexy man! 

A Second Piece of Pie, Anyone?

Rather enjoy candids taken on the set in the 1930s, when they shared the "magic" of movie making with the fans.  This photo taken on the set of Hide-Out (1934) is interesting in that there is not a soul in the group with a smile on their face.  Well, young Mickey Rooney is smiling, too young to know better?  Anyway, these people were putting in very long hours to keep up with demanding schedules set by the studio.  Not much to smile about, if it wasn't in the script!

 

The cast listed clockwise:  Edward Arnold, Bob and Maureen O'Sullivan (whose faces are almost whited out by the set lighting), Elizabeth Patterson, Edward Brophy and the Mick.  The director W.S. Van Dyke is the dapper gent wearing a straw hat.  Wonder what that pie was like after sitting under the set lights for a few hours.

Reminder:  Hide-Out is being shown on TCM tomorrow at 6:45 a.m. EST.  Lady in the lake (1947) can be seen on demand until the 21st. 

Odds and Ends, Once Again

Bob is at a fundraiser sponsored by a charity headed by Noel Coward.

A Man Born to Wear a Tuxedo

Gee ... I just do not know how Bob got the reputation of being a dashing tuxedoed lover who looked like he was born with a drink in hand.  He played this role perfectly in Riptide (1934), inspired by his co-star Norma Shearer. 

He also looked great in gorgeous white robes.  Norma seems to appreciate his efforts.  And Bob appears to be enjoying the scene with his co-star.  You know, I do not think there was much "acting" going on in these scenes.

I just love the glasses they are holding.  Wish I could afford them!

"I want you to stop meddling with my fiancee!"

... exclaims Sir James Felton (Reginald Owen) to Dascom Dinsmore (Bob) as Irene (Myrna Loy) watches in surprise in Petticoat Fever (1936).  A fun movie.  I bet it was a roaring success at the "Tavern Casino" on Friday! 

TCM will be showing Petticoat this Wednesday at 5:00 a.m. EST.  I don't know that I'd be able to make that show time, so I am hoping they show it on demand later.  You can see Night Flight (1933) on demand today, and Rage in Heaven (1941) through Friday.  And three move Bob movies will be shown this Month:  Lady in the Lake (1947) on the 14th; Hide-out (1934) on the 17th; and Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) on the 18th.  That's a lot of Montgomery all in one month!  And so many are my favorites, and I would imagine yours as well.

None of Bob's movies are scheduled on TCM for his birthday on the 21st.  That's kind of a let down after showing nine movies last year.  Six of his better movies in the weeks before will just have to do.

Report on a Fighting Man

Hope you're in a reading mood.  The following article published in the June, 1943 issue of "Motion Picture" is perhaps a bit long-winded, but interesting.  Lt. Comdr. Henry Montgomery, Jr. was not interviewed for the article which references prior interviews he gave.  Do keep in mind that it was written during the war, so there is a lack of details of exactly what Bob was doing overseas besides getting sick.  (Dengue fever is one nasty illness, by the way.  He deserved a Purple Heart!)