Thursday, January 28, 2021

Definition of Beautiful: Maureen O'Sullivan, Robert Montgomery, Robert Taylor, etc...

 Maureen O'Sullivan was a beautiful young lady.  I've commented before that she was (IMO) the leading lady closest to being young Bob's equal.  It would appear from this photo, that the same could be said of her and another beautiful lad from the MGM lot, Mr. Taylor.  John Farrow was a lucky man indeed.

       Robert Taylor & Maureen O'Sullivan in The Crowd Roars (1938)
 

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Bob Fashion Fails

 Bob's ties in Saxon Charm (1948) are simply atrocious.  His hat isn't a hit either.  But they fit his character.  A true sacrifice for Bob to dress so uncouth.

  I'm assuming that Bob's head adornment in Riptide (1934) was dreamed up by the costume department in a fit of madness.  A good laugh was had by all ... including Norma.  

And I'm deeply grateful that Bob's (T.W.E.) beach attire never caught on in the States.   

The beard would work if trimmed, but that mustache has to go!

 

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Mr. Cagney & Mr. Montgomery on the Set

 Another photo of 'the boys' on the set of The Gallant Hours (1960) that I recently managed to add to my collection.  Besides being a fan of both, I simply admire their long friendship.  Fifty years.  Impressive for movie folks.  I guess the key was simply not talking 'shop' and having other interests in common, like poetry and duck hunting.  A rather unusual combination come to think of it.  Of course, one would say that Cagney and Montgomery were not average men.  For sure. 


 

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Yes, things do change in 70 years!

BOY, was he Wolfed!

He thought she was MALE BAIT ...

Going gay the way you've always loved!  (That's the small print under MONTGOMERY.)

Whatever!  This is a thoroughly enjoyable movie.  Bob had fun as Collie Laing.  Love this exchange:

    Mr. Grant:  I saw you the other day in a ... a motion picture.

    Collie:  Did you sir?  How was I?

    Mr. Grant:  Tall.  Very tall.  

Thursday, January 14, 2021

A Pre-code Ad, Nifty Autographs and One Scary Finger!

 Anything to save a buck:  A directive came down from the studio heads advising that the publicity department should cut back on the use of guns to keep in line with new censorship rules.  A creative soul came up with the idea of disappearing the gun in this lobby card for Mother's Millions (1931) starring May Robson. 


 Note that the gun was "blued-out".  That does leave one to wonder why May and son are so afraid of the guy pointing a finger at them. 


 One of my favorite ads, the back cover of the May, 1932 issue of Modern Screen. 


   Just love this autograph.  Actor John Conte goes to the trouble of signing with such care.  You can read it, he included the fan's name, and even dated it! 


 Actress Gale Storm keeps it brief, but such a nice greeting it is. 

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Another Photo of the Beautiful Duo

 Or should I say Gorgeous Couple.  Yeah, that works.  In their prime, 31 and 30.  Well established stars.  Top of the World!  Hats off to both of you.

Ahhh...perfection!

Thursday, January 07, 2021

What a Shame to Hide that Beautiful Curly Hair (Bob's, of course)

 A couple Bob and Norma movies today on TCM.  Their Own Desire (1929) is showing at 11:15 a.m. and Riptide (1934) at 2:00 p.m., both ET.  Hopefully they'll be included on the streaming service afterwards, as has No More Ladies (1935) after its one showing last Monday.  Lady in the Lake (1946) is also being shown.  Four Bob movies available to view, not bad for these days. 

                Bob and Norma Shearer, Their Own Desire (1929)
 

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

Happy B-Day Ray!! (Just a tad late...)

 Yes, Mr. Milland's birthday is the 3rd of January.  I hope he would understand my not working on the blog on a weekend.  He seemed a basically good guy, the forgiving type.  

This photo was taken by Wide World Photos for their morgue file for Ray.  All the news services would try to have their own photos of news makers, kept without doing any touch up work.  Ray is still a handsome lad at 41, even with the blemishes and a few wrinkles under the eyes. 


 I'm glad Ray was taken up by Paramount in 1934.  MGM didn't know what to do with him, used in bit parts and crowd scenes.  In 1932 Ray is cast as "Mr. Stewart - Party Goer (uncredited)" in But the Flesh is Weak.  In Strangers May Kiss (1931), Ray was "3rd Admirer (uncredited).  Ray would do much better at Paramount, for sure. 

   Bob, Heather Thatcher and Ray Milland in But the Flesh is Weak