Variations on a Postcard Theme

 

 

 

Sorry, Debbie...No Thin Man Entrees

 July 29th is William Powell's birthday.  Happy Early Birthday, Bill!  TCM is showing 9 of his movies!!  The first movie has a 6:30 a.m. ET start time.  I hope TCM includes them all in its streaming movies.  There are some early ones I haven't seen and they all look great. 

Pointed Heels (1929) is not one of the films.  Just thought it a nifty lobby card. 

 

The Robert in the Middle (first Montgomery, then Young, and then Taylor)

'Tis a nice portrait of one of the other Roberts on the MGM lot, Mr. Robert Young.  I'm guessing, but I'd say it was taken in 1932, Bob would be 25.  Yeah, I can see why he was considered a backup to our Bob, a rather good-looking young man was Mr. Young.  It happens to be a Hurrell, although it wasn't treated like one.  Someone trimmed it down to 7x7 inches!  I mean, really.  Hurrell's stamp is on the back and they took scissors to it anyway. 

 

Bob,Joan,Frank,Una,Clark,Bill,Robert or Roz?

 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer did not pass up many opportunities to make a little extra money off their stars fame.  Besides the picture frame photos, there were photos used on notebooks (or writing tablets, as I knew them).  I wasn't around for these notebooks, but I would have dreaded having to select just one for the upcoming school year.  In all honesty, as an elementary school student I probably would have chosen .... Clark Gable!  And Robert Taylor would have been my second choice.  Hey, Gable and Taylor were still making movies in the 1950s.  While Robert Montgomery was a TV producer and advisor to President Eisenhower.  Who would you have chosen? 

Finding Hidden Treasures (Could Use a Few!)

 I bought this framed photo for the frame, not the picture of Constance Bennett, although it is a nice one of her.  It is one of those fan photos on slick thin paper that came with a new picture frame.  I love the pattern on the frame, a nice example of early 1930s artwork.  It is also 11x14 inches, not that common for the time.  Now I need to find the 11x14 inch photo of Bob from that period that would fit the frame! 

 Meanwhile, making this a really, really good find, when I took off the back to begin cleaning it, I found this fan photo of young Mr. Montgomery!  

It appears to simply have been added as a filler.  It's an 8x10 fan photo, that has been kicked out of its original frame and replaced by, who knows,  a family member...or another photo of Ms. Bennett.  Whatever, at least it wasn't thrown out in the trash...shudder the thought. 

Who'll give me 40? 75? 137.50?

 Recently, a still from Mr. & Mrs. Smith was sold on eBay for $137.50.  It was a great photo and all, capturing David (Bob) and Ann (Carole) in the bedroom brawl at the beginning of the movie.  BUT!!! $137.50 ... are you kidding me?  I'm guessing two Lombard fans drove the bidding up so high.  I certainly hope that was the case.  Why, you ask.  Because I can't afford to shell out that kind of money for Bob stuff!  It's bad enough having to compete with Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford collectors.  Control yourselves people, inflation is bad enough!  

 Good Smith photos are rather a rarity and I do have a few atrocious electric bills coming up.  How about a $100 opening bid for this original photo in excellent condition?  Hey, if I can't afford to buy them ...

     Bob and Carole Lombard in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)

                                                                                                         

And Movies are Still geared to the 12-year-old!

 Thought you might be interested in a TV Guide that is not all that common.  It is the October 21, 1950 issue, with Bob on the cover, of course.  (Just read the Wiki write-up of TV Guide which has the start date of 1953.  Well, that's certainly confusing!)  

"Robert Montgomery Presents" has already begun its second season, so the introduction of Bob to the readers seems a tad tardy.  Perhaps I'm simply applying today's digital standards to a world that existed some 70 years ago ... shouldn't complain.  

Hey, Your Ribs are Showing

 Yes, there is nothing like a good fight to liven up a party.  Having a champagne bucket in your corner is always a good idea. 

                       Joan Crawford & Bob in Untamed (1929)
 

Bob, you really need to add a few pounds to that skinny frame.  I mean, at least to cover up the rib cage.  Love the curls. 

Happy July 4th!! Enjoy our Wonderful Country!

 

Madge Evans, b. July 1, 1909 in NYC

 A rather sexy pose by Ms. Madge Evans, somewhat unusual but nice. 

                    Madge Evans (1933), photo by Harvey White
 

Now this is a photo of a Madge we are more accustomed to, the loving and supportive wife of starving writer Bob in Lovers Courageous. 

                  Bob and Madge in Lovers Courageous (1932)
 

 Happy Birthday salutations to Bob's good friend Madge.