I just can't see our Bob swinging a baseball bat; a polo mallet or golf club, yes, but a bat, no!

 I have to admit it.  I love the synopsis of Death on the Diamond (1934), starring Robert Young and Madge Evans.  "Pop Clark is about to lose his baseball team, unless they can win the pennant so he can pay off debts.  He hires ace player Larry Kelly to ensure the victory.  As well as rival teams, mobsters are trying to prevent the wins, and as the pennant race nears the end, Pop's star players begin to be killed, on and off the field.  Can Larry romance Pop's daughter, win enough games, and still have time to stop a murderer before he strikes more than three times?"  

Robert Young, Madge Evans, Joe Sawyer and Director Edward Sedgwick (seated foreground) on the set of Death on the Diamond

Robert Young often said that he got the roles Bob Montgomery and others did not want to do.  Yeah, I don't see our Bob in a baseball uniform.  And it seems a bit strange to see Madge in the arms of Bob Young, not Montgomery.  Really, Madge.

By the way, Madge was born on July 1st.  Lets give a shout-out for Ms. Evans!  

Modest Montgomery? Well .........

 I rather enjoyed this article, I believe was written in 1938.  Hope you do too.  

Love Those Pianist Hands!

 There's a knack to being able to mix paisleys with stripes.   Anyway, nice photo of Bob in his beautiful young man phase.  Rrrff!

                                  Robert Montgomery (1931)

                                  By Hurrell for Shipmates

Happy Longest Day of the Year!

 And it'll be a hot one for much of the country.  Time to search out movies about blizzards and being stuck in a cabin in the mountains without electricity.  Here in California it is the summer time overwhelmed power grid that causes a lack of electricity.  With temperatures in the 100s today, hubby and I will be spending a good portion of it on our pool rafts under umbrellas ... reading, napping, snacking.  And hoping it's not our turn to lose power overnight!

I'd choose Petticoat Fever (1936) as an attempt to cool me off.  Of course there was the complaint on the set that the stars were attired in too realistic outerwear.  Bob and Myrna were soaked through in their fur coats and mukluks.  But they suffered through it, with not a clue of their discomfort.  

         Reginald Owen, Bob & Myrna Loy in Petticoat Fever (1936)

Well, there is one slight thing the makeup people missed ... note the wet curls of hair sticking out under the top of Bob's furs.  Yeah, a bit on the hot side.  

Two Hoofers and a Deputy

 "'Gunsmoke' was never like this," says Dennis Weaver (left).  Between scenes for The Gallant Hours, Weaver is getting hoofing lessons from an experienced pro, James Cagney.  Cagney, who plays Adm. William F. Halsey in the movie, finds dancing between sequences helps him to relax and unwind.

The act's about to become a trio as Robert Montgomery (left) joins Dennis Weaver and James Cagney (right).  Montgomery, too, has had some dancing experience, so he's able to give out suggestions to help Weaver master a routine.  Montgomery, who is producer and director, and Cagney, who's the star, are making The Gallant Hours for their own production company.  

And a blow-up of Bob's face, big enough so you know who it is!  Bob is showing his gentleman farmer girth above ... and, whereas he's wearing white slacks, his shoes are not white but black!  Eek.  

Bob's Cool Car in Color ... Even Cooler!

Nifty photo.  Nifty auto.  The driver is nifty, too.  I'm guessing it's September, 1935.  Bob had his new toy shipped to the U.S. from Britain that month, and I doubt he waited very long to take it to "work" to show it off to his co-workers.  For the record, this is Bob's 1935 Bentley 3-1/2 litre lightweight Tourer by Vanden Plas.  Otherwise known as a nifty auto ...

I like how the shade is making the car look like it's a rather dark color, whereas it looks quite light in the first photo.  What I do know is Bob's sunglasses are the perfect accessory for his sports car driving attire.  And the white shoes, of course.  

I'm terrible at describing colors ... but this photo of the Bentley shows it to be a metallic green/slate/maybe blue color.  Looks great with the dark blue top and red interior.  

This side view photo looks like it's a dirty green with blue front fenders!  Actually, the dirty green is a reflection of the red brick in the courtyard.  The photographer for the c. 1990s display ad was not quite the artist as was the photographer who took the first photo.  For sure.   

 There has been a change to the car, for safety concerns I'd guess.  In the first photo you'll see two small separate windshields which can be flipped down, as they are in the second photo.  Photos 3 and 4 show one stationary windshield.  Good idea. 

Mr. & Mrs. Farnsworth on the Veranda

 I haven't the foggiest idea what they were striving for in these two publicity shots, but Bob seems to be enjoying it ...  

              

              Rita Johnson & Bob in Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) 

A Young Mr. Marshall, Well Comparatively So

 My best guess for when this photo was made is 1932, the year Herbert Marshall first appeared in U.S. movies.  And that would make him 42 years old.  Looks a lot older in Riptide, made only two years later.  It was probably the adjustment to the Hollywood lifestyle ...

Ah, yes, Mr. Tyrone Power, 20th Century-Fox's version of the incredibly good-looking star.  I compare him to Robert Taylor.  Any female co-star just had to accept not being the most beautiful star on the set.  

            Joan Fontaine & Tyrone Power in This Above All (1944)

I like this studio publicity shot.  It almost makes it appear that Jimmy Stewart is a dancer!  I like Eleanor's dress.  Would love to see the photo in color.  

            Eleanor Powell & James Stewart in Born to Dance (1936)

Bob Movie Marathon Time!!

Quite a good month for Bob on TCM.  Currently we have four movies streaming:  

          They Were Expendable (1945) until June 5th; 

          Lovers Courageous (1932) until June 23rd; 

         The Secret Land (1948) until June 8th; and 

         Trouble for Two (1936) until July 1st.  

During the month, four more Bob movies will premiere:  

        Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941); on June 5th;

        Riptide (1934) on June 6th;

        Our Blushing Brides (1930) on June 8th; and 

        The Divorcee (1930) on June 14th.    

    Bob and Constance Bennett in The Easiest Way (1931)

And while I'm at it, there are currently five complete movies available on YouTube:  The Easiest Way (1931), Haunted Honeymoon (1940), Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), The Saxon Charm (1948), and Eye Witness (1950), which is listed as Your Witness, the movie's name in England.  

And, to get you in the appropriate mood for a Bob Marathon, the best ever clip on YouTube:   Robert Montgomery Tribute.  Love it!!