Traveling Cross-Country on a Bus, Desperation!

Right, Madge.  Can you really trust this fellow?  

                  Bob and Madge Evans in Fugitive Lovers (1934)

Bob's October Birthday Ladies

 Errrr .... a little late for all three ladies.  I think Gaynor, Lombard and Hayes were classy enough to forgive me for my tardiness.  Anyway, Happy Birthday ladies!  You are still remembered.  

Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor were a highly successful pair, teaming up for a dozen movies from the late 1920s and on into the 1930s.  They were a handsome couple for sure.  

                          Janet Gaynor, b.  October 6, 1906

You have to wonder how Carole Lombard's career would have progressed if she had not made that fatal flight in January, 1942.  She was only 34, but that's getting on the old side for a female star in her era.  Of course, she was still a knockout and at the top of her form.  I do know she needed to have made at least one more rom-con with Mr. Montgomery, they were really quite good together in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941).  Below, Carole is with Fredric March in Nothing Sacred (1937).  

                          Carole Lombard, b. October 6, 1908

Bob always said his favorite leading lady was Helen Hayes.  Bob seemed in awe of theater performers.  She did have the large face for a stage actor.  Much like Ethel Merman's voice could be heard clearly throughout the theater, Helen's face could be seen.  (and as Clark Gable's large head was magnetic on the big screen!)     

                          Helen Hayes, b. October 10, 1900

I'm Guessing Jr. was the Really Nice Guy in the Family. He Just Looks it.

Sure of Himself for Sure!

 An interview with a young Bob from the December, 1930 issue of New Movie Magazine.  A tad long, but interesting, and three nifty photos.  Written by a man, so no giggling!  Enjoy.  

Eek!! Is it Really Thursday Already?!!!

 How embarrassing.  My blog, the only deadline responsibility I have and I blow it.  Geesch.  Meanwhile, may I offer you a rather nifty photo of three favorite people doing their thing, giving joy to their fans.   Now where did I leave my keys ...

             Bob, Joan and Bill, The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937)

She Could Hold Her Own, For Sure

 Great photo of Bob and Roz.  Their facial expressions are superb.  There are a goodly number of these publicity shots taken by Clarence S. Bull.  My favorite always seems to be the one I most recently  purchased.  It may well be the last one I find.  Just can't imagine there being a better one.  Great job, guys!

                    Bob and Roz in Live, Love and Learn (1937)

1929, And So Much Success Ahead

 A very young Bob and Betty Montgomery all decked out for an evening of merriment run into an MGM photographer who captures the moment for all time.  Wonder what the occasion was.  All we know is that they appear to be enjoying themselves.  The only information on the back of the photo is a type-written "Mr. & Mrs. Robert Montgomery."  MGM is indicated in the lower right corner.  Whatever, it is nice to see them both smiling.  

My, but yes, he is so young.  The MGM PR department usually managed to add the star's current or upcoming film in a photo description.  I'm wondering if they just didn't have a movie to add, like the Montgomery's are still new to L.A.  Let's give it a guess ... It's early 1929, they are at a popular nightclub, waiting for a table (Bob is a nobody at this time) and hoping to be seen by someone important.  At least the photographer knew he was somebody.

The Future According to MGM

 MGM's Screen Forecast for 1934 - 1935, is a small publication, about 3-1/2" x 4-1/2", with 28 pages.  I'm assuming it was given out as a freebee at theaters and tells briefly the movies MGM stars were cast in for release in 1934-35.  And just like the weather, MGM's forecast was somewhat limited in accuracy.  

Of course, not all were incorrect ... Robert Montgomery did co-star with Ann Harding in Biography of a Bachelor Girl (1935).  

Unfortunately, Robert Montgomery did not appear in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). 

 

William Powell and Myrna Loy appeared in a whole lot of movies together, but The Casino Murder Case (1935) was not one of them.  Paul Lukas and Rosalind Russell inherited this crime mystery.  

Some slight changes were made to the Shearer romance movie, Marie Antoinette, not released until 1938.  Lets see, it lost Charles Laughton and Herbert Marshall, and gained Tyrone Power and John Barrymore.  Must have been some changes in the storyline as well.  I mean, I just can't see Herbert Marshall and Tyrone Power up for the same role.  No way.

And, saving the best for last, and I quote:  "Gloria Swanson will co-star with Clark Gable in a thrilling romance."  Now that's funny.  Gable must have choked on his steak when the MGM rep. brought up that idea.  Perhaps he let Joan Crawford take care of Swanson.  Trying to move in on her guy ... really.