A Good Summer Day Ends falling asleep during a Bob Movie, followed by Pleasant Dreams

 I was putzing on the computer when I checked out TCM and discovered they are showing two of Bob's films, a pleasant surprise.  The Easiest Way (1931) will be available to stream until Sept. 21st.  And When Ladies Meet (1933) can be seen until Sept. 27th.  

Bought a stack of 20+ stills from The Easiest Way recently.  Amazingly, most are double weight with a matte finish...just beautiful prints.  Will share over time, starting with this very romantic photo of Bob and Connie, taken in Yosemite.  I'm so envious of her.  

      Robert Montgomery and Constance Bennett in The Easiest Way

But, Where's the Smile, Van?

 A handsome lad for sure.  We saw him primarily with a broad smile, but there was a serious side of Van Johnson.  He was quite good in The Caine Mutiny (1954) as Lt. Steve Maryk.   And in Command Decision (1948) and Battleground (1949).   

From chorus boy to Bobby-Soxer star, Van had a successful career that began in the early 1940s, and lasted into the 1990s.  Born in Newport, Rhode Island August 25, 1916.  Happy Birthday, Van Johnson!!

A Little Color Added to Bob's B & W World

 I love it.  A movie about mosquitos, but you have an outdoor love scene without the ever present curse.  

The colored photos aren't that bad, but have never gotten used to the pink cheeks.  

It would be great if at least a few of Bob's movies were in color.  The Gallant Hours (1960) would definitely have worked well in color.  Bob wanted it to be, but the United Artists money people vetoed the idea.  Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) would be fun in color as would Piccadilly Jim (1936).  

Perhaps Vanessa: Her Love Story (1935) would have been saved if made in color.  With that kind of money sunk in the movie, someone surely would have spent the extra effort to produce a decent script.  Whomever decided to chop the movie down from 100+ mins. down to 74 without spending much effort to give it an understandable storyline, should be .... hung!  

A Poet, an Actor and a Dog Walk into a Bar ...

Carl Sandburg and Robert Montgomery are the two people in this photo.  That is all I know about it.  Because of the presence of greenery intruding upon the pair, I'm guessing they are on a dais, and Bob was a great master of ceremony which might explain why those two are together having a chat.  I'm also guessing Bob is telling a joke and Sandburg is bracing himself for the punchline.  

Hey, unless you have a better idea ... 

Killer Rules!

 One of the August Bob Ladies and the one Bob lady overall that has outlasted them all, Ann Blyth is celebrating her 94th birthday today.  Happy Birthday, Killer!  You will always have a special place in the hearts of Robert Montgomery fans.  

                    Ann Blyth in Once More, My Darling (1949)

Not Even 5 Foot Two!

 Helen Hayes was 5 feet even.  A small lady, even for her time.  In this publicity shot for Vanessa, Bob must be sitting on a stool, at least I doubt someone would ask 'The First Lady of Stage' to stand on a box next to Bob.  But how could such a diminutive person have such a demanding presence on the stage?  Compare Bob and Helen's heads, and then their faces.  I'm guessing their heads are close to equal in width, but Helen's face is significantly larger.  Notice how far apart her eyes are.  Yes, a big face for a small lady.  It catches your attention.  

            Bob and Helen Hayes in Vanessa, Her Love Story (1935)

So does Bob's....It's those blue eyes.  

Bob had to deal with a lot of Leo's - Seven Leading Ladies

Yes, another publicity shot of Bob and Dorothy Jordan for Love in the Rough (1930).  The PR department certainly used up its budget for the movie.  Glad they did.  The photos are more worth seeing than the movie.  Well, except for the opportunity to hear Bob croon and also see him without his pants.  Meanwhile......Dorothy was born August 9, 1906, in Clarksville, Tennessee.  She auditioned for Melanie in Gone With the Wind.  Yes, I can see that.   

            Bob and Dorothy Jordan in Love in the Rough (1930)
 

And Norma Shearer was born August 10, 1902.  Selznick considered Norma for the role of Scarlett in GWTW.  Sorry, Norma, that was Vivien Leigh's role, totally.  But, you got to make 5 movies with Robert Montgomery.  Tough, wasn't it.  

                    Bob and Norma Shearer in Riptide (1934) 

A Look at the Real Reggie

 It took me the longest time to be able to visualize Reginald Owen when I saw his name in print.  Mr. Owen was just a great character actor.  So many roles, so many characters.  Kind of the opposite of John Wayne playing basically the same role in many movies.  (Hey, whatever works!)  

Owen's birthday is tomorrow, August 5th.  He was in seven of Bob's movies,  need to decide which one to watch as a birthday tribute.  Owen was great fun as Bob's brother in The Man in Possession (1931), and I could use a good laugh.  Yeah, that sounds like a winner.  

Happy Birthday, Myrna!

 Myrna Williams was born August 2, 1905 in Helena, Montana.  In 1918 her dad died, Mom moved the family to Los Angeles and Myrna obtained a last name more fitting a young Hollywood vamp ... Loy. By the time Bob and Myrna were co-stars in When Ladies Meet (1933), Myrna had already appeared in 75 movies, compared to Bob's 25, and she was 5 years younger!   I mean, she hadn't even started The Thin Man series as yet and stays busy in films into her 70's.  Quite an impressive career for a totally impressive lady.