Happy Birthday to a Nice Lady

I have always liked Madge Evans, perhaps because she was so typecast as the nice girl in her films.  Or maybe she was a nice human being and it just came through on the screen.  Whatever, she co-starred with Bob in four films, the two becoming friends, able to understand each other's career frustrations. 

In Made on Broadway (1933) Madge is so nice, she supports Bob even as his ex-wife. 

                   Bob and Madge in Made on Broadway (1933)

Nice, and rather pretty as well.

                                 July 1, 1909 - April 26, 1981

Take My Wife ... Please!

My absolutely favorite pair of photos, featuring two old friends on the set of The Gallant Hours (1960).  James Cagney is telling the joke this time, and it's Bob's turn to break up on hearing it.  Great smile, Mr. Montgomery.

 TCM is showing The Gallant Hours this coming Thursday at 5:00 p.m. EST. 

Robert Montgomery, Our Favorite Crusader

As you already know, our Mr. Montgomery was rather outspoken, particularly when it came to a good cause he supported.  Life was not always smooth for Bob.  The following article from the February 5th, 1935 issue of "The Family Circle" describes one of his many battles.

Surprise Quiz Day

Okay, folks.  Are you ready?  Want to impress your friends with your knowledge of Robert Montgomery? (Who?) I am listing ten photos of Bob from different movies, head shots blown up from stills from those movies.  At the bottom of the posting, I will list the 10 movies in alphabetical order.  The photos are 1 to 10, the movies are (A) to (J).  Submit your answers ASAP to claim huge winnings!!  (TBD.......)

                                                     1.

                                                     2.

                                                   3.

                                                  4.

                                                    5.

                                                   6.

                                                  7.

                                                  8.

                                                    9.

                                                  10.

And the movies are:
   (A)  Another Language
   (B)  Fast and Loose
   (C)  June Bride
   (D)  Letty Lynton
   (E)  Live, Love and Learn
   (F)  Lovers Courageous
   (G) Man in Possession
   (H) Petticoat Fever
   (I)  Night Must Fall
   (J)  Ride the Pink Horse

Good Luck!

Should I look so good with a fever!

Maybe it was the 108 degrees high today, but I feel just lousy.  Next week will be better.  Enjoy your weekend!

               Bob and Reginald Owen in Petticoat Fever (1936)

The Hayes Office Bowdlerizes Another Good Movie

The Last of Mrs. Cheney (1937) is being shown on demand on TCM through the 15th.  Bob and Bill Powell in the same movie, so it is a gotta see, right?!  The main problem with the movie is that it was filmed in 1937, after the code went into effect.  Cheney was originally a funny and risque play, but that was not acceptable in 1937. What a waste of Bob and Bill.  I'd like to see a 1933 version with the same cast and production values and a script much closer to the original.  A totally different film for sure.

   Bob, William Powell and Joan Crawford in The Last of Mrs. Cheney

75th Anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944)

                             All gave some.  Some gave all.

How incredibly brave all those young men were, trudging off into battle.  Many died even before reaching land, so many others never made it off the beaches.  Most fought on to win the Battle of Normandy, and then liberate France.  D-Day marked a turning point in the war in Europe. We should be ever so thankful to these heroic men, and remember their sacrifices and successes.  Thanks, guys.

Maybe "Letty Lynton" will be next ... sure.

Made on Broadway (1933) will be released on June 11th!!  (Running late on my big announcements these days....)  It's included in the Robert Montgomery Collection, so you probably already have it.  But, if you're a slightly over-the-top collector of all things Bob as I am, you'll just have to have it because of the nifty cover artwork, if nothing else. 

At present, the movie is only available as a pre-order at wbshop.com.  Come June 11th, I am sure eBay will have plenty of copies available.

As a tease to get you to watch it, if you haven't already, there's a scene you just have to check out.  Eugene Pallette (as Bob's valet) helps Bob hurriedly disrobe down to his underwear, the fade out leaves no doubt the underwear will go as well.  I try to keep things a G rating on the blog, but ... well, er ... let's just say one of Bob's physical attributes comes in play.  Quite entertaining.