Florizel and Miss Vandeleur Enjoy London

Two actors enjoying their work ... Or, just what was going on behind Bob's cape? 

                Bob and Rosalind Russell in Trouble for Two (1936)

Robert Times Three

Not much up to writing this evening, but I can always handle working with Bob photos ... particularly of young, beautiful Mr. Montgomery.  These three photos are from the same photo shoot in 1931.  All three are favorites, all too good to choose one over the other. 

The hat is too nifty for words. 

This photo has been trimmed down from a 10x13, mostly from the sides.  That's okay, they saved the best part!  Love the smile. 

Herr Montgomery in "Das Graue Haus"

It is too bad that movie heralds went to the wayside over the years.  They were one nifty souvenir of the movies you had seen, and I would have had boxes of them.  Most of the original heralds in the U.S. were just one sheet folded over, but the graphics were usually quite good.  They told you the basics, who the stars were, the studio that produced it and conveyed what kind of movie it was. 

Austria produced this 6-page herald of The Big House (1930).  It not only has numerous stills from the movie, but an actual story line.  I do not know when the herald was used, it could be from after WWII.  Between Hitler's censorship and the war itself, U.S. movies were not shown in Germany and their conquered countries until the war ended. 

By the way, "Das Graue Haus" translates to "The Grey House."  Evidently, the American slang, The Big House, was not known in German speaking countries. 

"The Big House" will be shown on TCM today at 9:15 p.m. PST.  The Sins of the Children (1930) is also being shown at 7:45 a.m. PST.  1930 was a busy year for our young Bob, eight of his movies were filmed that year.  No three-month vacations for him at this stage of his career. 

And One Snazzy Dresser 'Twas He

You might think this was a photo taken on the set of Blondie of the Follies (1932), since Bob and Marion Davies are the leads.  I did.  But, nope, it's the set of Peg O' My Heart (1933).  The other gent is Robert Z. Leonard, the director.  The write-up on the back identifies the people in the photo and the name of the movie, but there is no explanation as to why Bob is in it.  Perhaps he just dropped in to say hi to Marion, because his set was nearby.

And what set would that be .... that hat looked familiar. 

That's it ... the same hat, same tie.

It's cocky Jeff Bidwell in Made on Broadway (1933).  And one snazzy dresser 'twas he. 

Bob in Color ... Well, Sort of

A yellow tie and a hint of blush to the lips ... you know, if they had just colored his eyes light blue, it would be a rather nice print.

Speaking of yellow ... wow!  And it's a large magazine print about 11x14.  I should hang it in a dark hallway.  If only the eyes were blue. 

This photo was found quite often in new photo frames, definitely an eye catcher.  Understandably, from the number of copies I have run across, a good number of fans bought the frame so they could have the photo.  Some enterprising soul came up with this version as a magazine premium, it's the photo and frame all in one print, saving the fans a heck-of-a-lot of money!  A rather nice print ... if only the eyes were light blue, instead of purple! 

The actor turns briefly from his mirror ...

The five things of note in this photo of Bob's dressing room c. 1934:  1. The cover of the stool is made from the same material as the curtains in the room.  Why, of course.  2. That is one nifty lighting feature around the mirror.  3.  The smaller object on the table is an alarm clock, an essential item in any dressing room.  4.  The photo above the mirror is a portrait of Bob's favorite polo pony.  A matted and framed photo of his horse, I believe taken by Hurrell.  Why, of course.  And 5.  That's Bob taking a cigarette break in his dressing room.  One handsome lad ... of course. 

Strangers May Kiss (but they don't have to)

I enjoy photoplay editions of books upon which movies are based.  The They Were Expendable edition is just great, eight photos and six have Bob in them!  On the other end of the pole, the photoplay edition of Lady in the Lake does not have any photos at all inside, just those on the dust jacket.  Strangers May Kiss is kinda in between those two books ... four photos and none of them feature Bob!  But, they are decent photos, particularly the photo of Ms. Shearer at the front of the book.  I'd say it gives one a pretty good idea of the flavor of the book. 

The captions are worth showing in a legible print size...

                      Elizabeth aches for the kiss of this stranger - 
                             yielding to a passionate embrace.

                     Alan tires of their unconventional interlude.

               In one mad night after another, Elizabeth sought
                        escape from the spectre of her folly.

By the way, Happy Birthday thoughts for Norma Shearer whose birthday is August 10.  And the same for Dorothy Jordan whose birthday is August 9.  And belated Birthday thoughts for Ann Harding and Irene Purcell who share August 7 as their birthday.  My, but Bob had to work with a lot of Leos!!

Is it Really August, Already?

Bob at home in 1938.  Swimming seems to have been his main form of exercise through much of his adult life.  In the 1930s he is in the pool every morning doing laps, and in the 1950s Bob is swimming at his men's club on Park Ave. 

His left foot seems to have some kind of problem.  Does anyone know what those lines might be?  I know he broke his left foot skiing in 1957, but do not know of any broken foot before then. 

Whatever, what is not broken for sure is that great smile!

Wonder if Bill & Myrna Shared Birthday Parties...

Myrna Loy was born August 2, 1905 in Radersburg, MT, population of 66 in 2010.  She went from cowgirl to vamp when the family moved to LA after the death of her father in the 1918 flu pandemic. 

Myrna was allowed to escape her vamp roles after signing with MGM, where she became Mrs. Nora Charles.  Such a beautiful, classy lady.