MGM's Bob Returns to Films

"After four years of combat duty in South Pacific and European war zones, Lieutenant Commander Robert Montgomery has been placed on the Navy's inactive service list and is resuming his screen career."

Not exactly a "Wow, glad to have you back, Bob" kind of welcome.  Nor does Bob look joyous to be back.  Sad, yes.  Tired, yes.  Scared, probably.  He has gone through four tough years.  He has changed, his work environment has changed.  Having to figure out a new career at 41 can be scary.  Hang in there, Bob.  You'll have a few tough years, but you'll do just fine.  

Thank You, Mr. Montgomery

 Robert Montgomery, b. May 21, 1904, d. Sept. 27, 1981

View of the estate from the terrace of Bob's final home,            Hollow Brook in the Canaan Valley, CT

 

"He had played many roles in his lifetime, off-camera and on-; the slender playboy of Our Blushing Brides had become a no-longer-slender country squire, but the grace of the performer remained what it had always been:  a prompting to merriment, an occasion for applause."  **

You are missed, Mr. Montgomery.  The smile.  Ah, yes, the smile.  Thanks for sharing. 

 ** From an article by Brendan Gill appearing in the April, 1982 issue of  "Architectural Digest". 

Be Still My Foolish Heart

 Petticoat Fever (1936) starring Bob, Myrna Loy and Reginald Owen, is definitely one of my favs - makes me feel like a teenage girl when I sigh at the sight of Bob in full dress attire standing on the stairs.

Anyway, the trio is in Dascom's bedroom, Sir James (Owen) showing his disapproval of the whole situation.  Dascom (Bob) is staring at Sir James, wondering how he can get him out of the way and then win over Irene (Myrna).  Irene is simply bemused by it all.  

There is something else interesting about the photo.  Even in its 8 x 10 format, it's not immediately noted.  So I've enlarged a portion of the photo.

 Do you see it?

Kinda spooky catching Dascom in the mirror!

But, Gee, Hon ... Everyone Else Is Getting One!

 $1.00 was a lot of money in 1935.  I can just see the young ladies of Beloit, Wisconsin, lined up in the lobby of the Majestic Theatre while their now even poorer dates wait outside wondering how they got talked into another, to them, foolish purchase.  But all those photos of movie stars for only $1.00!  And recipes, too!

 I hope they weren't too disappointed.  It's not like the recipes were chosen by the stars.  You've just got photos, somewhat small and poorly printed, along with random recipes.  Although Braised Lamb does sound like a food New Englander Montgomery would have eaten.  "Neck of shoulder chops of Lamb" ... is that a common item these days?

P.S.  TCM is showing Private Lives today at 1:30 p.m. EDT.  Now that sounds like a fun mid-day break.

Yes, Our Robert Was Not the Only One

 Give it to Norma for being a brave lady ... appearing once again with a male lead who is more beautiful than she. 

       Norma Shearer and Robert Taylor, publicity for Escape (1940)
 

No, Bob Did Not Play a Nurse

This is the photoplay copy of  "War Nurse."  I believe four pictures is the minimum number of photos in any of the photoplay editions, except for "Lady in the Lake" which only has photos on the dust jacket.

One should wonder why a picture featuring Bob as an airplane pilot is used as the frontispiece for a book about nurses.  Well, Robert Montgomery was a rising star and that's the way it was in the business.  And let's face it, he was pleasing to the eye. 

That's Anita Page saying farewell to her lover played by Robert Ames.  I looked up Mr. Ames, curious as to what happened to him.  Poor guy died at 42 of delirium tremens in late 1931.  

(Google updated blogspot recently, the format used for this post.  I'm not at all computer savvy, so am doing my entries using the trial and error approach with the hopes of stumbling on the right way to do things eventually.  Please bear with me!)

Enjoy the Day!

 

And the rest of the week as well!  Plan to enjoy summer's pleasures before fall overtakes us. 
 

One Dancer and Six Troopers

 Would love to have a 11"x14" photo of this clipping.  It would be hanging on the wall above my desk (on a rotating basis with the Bob portrait that now claims that space).  Just look at those troopers working hard so as not to embarrass themselves too much at the upcoming Friar's Frolic of 1949.  I gather boys' choruses were always popular at these events, the current lucky dancers looking forward to laughing at next year's group.  I wonder if anyone filmed these events.  I guess not, probably wouldn't pass the censors! 

(LtoR)  Peter Lawford (5'11-1/2); Ray Milland (6'1); Walter Pidgeon (6'2-1/4); Fred MacMurray (6'2-3/4); Van Johnson (6'1); Robert Montgomery (6' 1/2"); and Robert Taylor (5'10-3/4) 

 I added the heights to the list of names.  Looks like they got the lineup right.  Van Johnson is the only dancer in the group.  Walter Pidgeon started off as a singer on the stage, may have had some dancing experience.  The rest, well, raw talent!  Bob looks, well, a little stressed.  Hope he made it through the performance without stepping on Van's foot.  

Cowboy Eugene was not Singing Sandy

 Okay.  I have to admit it.  I like other male actors besides Mr. Montgomery.  There aren't many, for sure, and none anywhere near to the extent that I love our beautiful Bob.   Compared to Bob, I might say I have a crush on Richard Arlen.  He was just one gorgeous man.  Not known for his acting (who cares!), Arlen made a lot of adventure/western movies.  

I rather like the pairing with Eugene Pallette ... cute couple.                    

            Arlen & Eugene Pallette in The Santa Fe Trail (1930)

 Andy Devine is the sidekick in Raiders of the Desert (1941).  Hey, just imagine a duet sung by Eugene and Andy.  A true delight, I'm sure.  

Quite often Arlen got to court a girl, and win her over almost always.  Below, Julie Haydon is the lucky lady in Golden Harvest (1933).  How could she not say yes.  

 Mr. Arlen was born September 1, 1899 in St. Paul, MN.  Happy Birthday, you gorgeous man!