So Many Birthdays ....

Yes, so many ... decided to combine a few Bob co-stars, six from this week alone.  So, Happy Birthday to ...

Anita Page, Aug. 4th, co-starred with Bob in Free and Easy (1930)

Reginald Owen, Aug. 5th, co-starred with Bob in several movies, decided to use this photo of Mr. Owen in Sherlock Holmes (1932).  He is Dr. Watson to Clive Brook's Sherlock.  Love the bowtie.  

Irene Purcell, Aug. 7th, appeared with Bob in Man in Possession (1931).  She and Bob worked so well together, wish they had done more.

Ann Harding, Aug. 7th, shown here with Bob in Biography of a Bachelor Girl (1935). 

Nat Pendleton, Aug. 9th, was a very busy supporting actor in the 1930s and 1940s.  He did a great job with the role of Madge Evans' unwanted suitor in Fugitive Lovers (1934)

and, finally, Dorothy Jordan, Aug. 9th, portrayed a rather demure young lady when co-starring with Bob in Love in the Rough (1930) and Shipmates (1931).  I like this sexy version of Dorothy.  

Another Happy (Belated) Birthday!

One gorgeous trading card of the birthday (belated, again) girl Myrna Loy.  Her birthday is actually August 2nd, and she was born 120 years ago, one year later than Mr. Montgomery.  The card's style is fitting for Ms. Loy, as she began her career playing vamps and mysterious ladies from the East.  It is also beautiful, as was she.  Happy Birthday, Myrna!

Belated Birthday Greetings, Mr. Powell

 It's not that I forgot Mr. Powell's birthday was on July 31st.  No, I thought today (Thursday) was the 29th.  Yes, totally confused.  Getting old(er) is just, well, not fun.  However, Bill apparently handled it with ease.  Or should I say elegantly.  

I chose three favorite photos for this post and all three are of Mr. Powell in his 50s to 60s.  The first photograph was taken August 19, 1949, when he made an appearance on "Screen Directors Playhouse", an NBC radio show.  He is 57 years young and dressed ever so snazzy.  

A slightly younger Bill being just right on with his wardrobe choices.  

And a somewhat older Mr. Powell being ever so handsome.  

Sorry about being late, Mr. Powell.  I try.

Joan Firmly Holds on to the Boys

Nifty photo.  It is the first (and last) time Bob, Joan and Clark are in a film together.  Of course, Joan and Clark are lovers at this time.  Bob had to feel like the odd man out.   

And a good close-up of Bob's long lean hands.  Compare them to Joan's and Clark's.  Yes, he should've been a concert pianist.  

I wonder if Bob even realized he had a cigarette in hand.  As a former heavy smoker, they do become a part of you.

Do You Know the Photographer?

A rather nice portrait of "pre-war" Robert Montgomery.   One of many of his portraits that come with no description, i.e. year taken, photographer, the movie for which it was made.  If I am able to identify it even halfway, it is a fun challenge for me.  If I draw a complete blank, it is ever so frustrating.  

I'm 99% sure this photo was taken in England in 1940 for Haunted Honeymoon (1940).  And what brings me to this conclusion?  Well ... first of all, the photo is an 8" x 6" print, a size common in England but not the U.S.  Bob made the movie in England where he spent much of his time from 1939 and on through 1940.  The photo no. in the lower corner confirms it is an MGM photo taken in England, not just a photo taken for a magazine or other publication.  Unfortunately, I don't know who the photographer is ... drats.    

The Title Change Was a Good Idea

 "HEAVEN COULDN'T WAIT ... for Robert Montgomery and Benny Rubin, who returns to the screen in Columbia's highly heralded new comedy "Mr. Jordan Comes to Town," which stars Montgomery with Rita Johnson Evelyn Keyes, Claude Rains, James Gleason and Edward Everett Horton."

A rather interesting view of heaven.  And the look on Bob's face ... reminding himself that the movie meant a lot towards supporting his family while he was in the service.  Hang in there, Mr. Montgomery.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Cagney

 James Francis Cagney was born this day in 1899 ... Now that's a long time ago.  19th century.  Anyway, this photo was used by NBC in advertising the Robert Montgomery Presents episode of September 10, 1956, titled "Soldier from the Wars Returning".  This was Cagney's first and last live television show, it had to be scary for a life-long movie star to deal with live television.    It was a big favor for old friend Bob, the show led off what was to be the last season of RMP.  A good show/performance, but not good enough to save the series.  

                             James Cagney, b. July 17, 1899

Pre-Code Bob Times 8 ...Just Great!

 Ah, gee, aren't they cute.  Dorothy Jordan was such a petite lady.  Check out her right hand resting on top of Bob's rather large hand.  Almost doesn't look real.  

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

Hope you got a chance to watch some of Bob's movies from Monday's mini marathon.  So far, four of them will be available to stream on TCM until mid-August:  Love in the Rough, Strangers May Kiss (1931), Untamed (1929), and Lovers Courageous (1932).  The Divorcee (1930) is available only to July 21st.  For some reason, Another Language (1933) and Private Lives (1931) are shown as available to be streamed, but the ending dates are not included in the write-up.  And When Ladies Meet (1934) is not listed at all.  Not that I'm complaining.  Overall, this summer is proving to be just great for Bob movies.  Thanks again to the programmer at TCM!  

Thanks to TCM for a Very Pleasant Surprise!

Ta- Da!!  Coming this Monday, July 14th on TCM:  Daytime Theme - Robert Montgomery Pre-Codes!  Eight, yes EIGHT!! Bob films.  From Untamed (1929) to When Ladies Meet (1934), watch a young and eager youth develop into an excellent actor and handsome leading man.  

                Bob and Myrna Loy in When Ladies Meet (1934)

Now, I probably won't make it up for Lovers Courageous (1932) which begins the celebration at 6:45 a.m. PDT ... but the second half looks doable.  Hopefully the streaming schedule is good for all eight movies.  The movies in order shown, all times PDT.  

         6:45 a.m.     Lovers Courageous (1932)

         8:15 a.m.     Private Lives (1931)

         9:45 a.m.     Untamed (1929)

        11:15 a.m.    Love in the Rough (1930)

        12:45 p.m.   The Divorcee (1930)

         2:15 p.m.    When Ladies Meet (1934)

         4:00 p.m.     Another Language (1933)

         5:30 p.m.     Strangers May Kiss (1931)

Hope everyone has the chance to see a favorite once more or discover a new one. 

Such a Handsome Young Man

"Kindly Credit Photo by Clarence Sinclair Bull, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer."  Definitely.  Nice photo, Mr. Bull.  Someone's reference department date stamp shows it was received August 14, 1930.   26 and just downright gorgeous.  

Do Enjoy the Holiday!

 

From Polo to Politics to Playing the Ponies

 

                                 Modern Screen, Sept. 1934

                                 Boston Herald, Oct. 24, 1940

                                             Dec. 18, 1979

One of the Best Ever Posters*****

 Just love this poster.  A really fun movie as well.  The girls dancing on the wings of the plane on the way to Rio is just too good.  

Fighting a bit of stomach flu.  The poster made me smile at least.  

*********Lordy, Lordy.  Struggled to get something together for the blog and then forgot to hit the Publish button!!!  It's the heat.............

Gosh. Without the Mustache He'd be Perfect.

 Now that's a handsome couple.  Gorgeous costumes.  Like the cut of Bob's outfit.  Looks great on him.  Roz isn't looking all that shabby either.  

                Bob and Rosalind Russell in Trouble for Two (1936)

Bob In Both a Bathrobe and a Tux ... Rrrf!

 A rather interesting review of Riptide (1934) from the April 28, 1934, issue of "Picturegoer" Magazine.  A fun read.  And they liked Bob!  

Just a Gorgeous Couple ...

 ... think I've said that a few times before.  But it's so true.  The photographer is Russell Ball for MGM.  Excellent photo.  As were all the other photographs he made for Hide-Out.  A perfect combination of subject matter and photographer.  Their photos always make me smile.  

         Robert Montgomery & Maureen O'Sullivan in Hide-Out (1934)

I'm sure Bill was relieved there was no swordplay in the movie with Basil Rathbone!

 I came across this photo in a listing that did not have the photo identified correctly.  They did not know William Powell!!  Egads.  The kiddies these days.  Not knowing Basil Rathbone, I can sorta understand.  Sorta.  Anyway, this photo from Crossroads (1942) is a great example of height awareness among male stars back in the day.  The lead male just could not be much shorter than the other major performers.  Bill is the main actor in the film so Basil has to scrunch down in this scene with Bill, while Bill is standing as upright as he can.  There is about a three-inch difference between the two, but the pose has them at half that.  Nifty.

               William Powell & Basil Rathbone in Crossroads (1942)

If you are interested in such minutia, the best source for star heights is "Celebrity Heights".  They don't always take into account the age of the performer when deciding height.  These two gents are both 50 in 1942 and have most likely begun the path to "little old men".  For the record the list has Bill at 5' 10-1/2" and Basil at 6' 1-1/4 inches.  And Mr. Montgomery is listed as 6' 1/2".  Bob always claimed to be 6' 1".  I'm sure that was quite right when he was a young man.  

D-Day, June 6, 1944

 And our Bob took part in it.  In February of 1944, Lt. Commander Henry Montgomery joined the staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron 60 and served on the USS Barton.  The squadron was part of the naval force assigned to Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion and would later play a critical role in the Battle of Cherbourg (June 19 to June 30).  And we thank you for your service, Mr. Montgomery.

              Lt. Commander Henry Montgomery, c. January, 1944

Bob aged a bit in 16 years (Haven't we all!)

 Faithless (1932) co-starring Bob and Tallulah Bankhead will be shown on TCM beginning June 23rd.  It's a decent enough movie, far better than the reaction it got when first released.  There is one jarring element (for me, anyway): Hugh Herbert is playing a bad guy!

            Bob, Tallulah Bankhead and Hugh Herbert in Faithless

Also showing this month is June Bride (1948).  TCM's monthly listing shows two start dates, June 16 and June 28.  I'm guessing the streaming will begin on the 28th.  Anyway, it's always a fun movie to watch.  Let's hear it for Bob and Bette for being professionals and not clawing up each other's faces.  (Meow...)  

                   Bob and Bette Davis in June Bride (1948)

Meanwhile, there are also four movies carried over from May still able to stream:  Piccadilly Jim (1936) until the 19th; Lady in the Lake (1946) the 20th; as well as They Were Expendable (1945) and When Ladies Meet (1933). 

Bob and Joan in Letty Lynton

 Beautiful couple, but there's just something not quite perfect.          

Well, yes, a great pairing, but ...

Ah, Bob alone.  Yes, that's it.  Perfection.

And Herbert was 14 years older ...

 Herbert Marshall was born May 23, 1890, in London, England.  After early training as an accountant, Mr. Marshall chose to become an actor, gaining 20 years of experience on the stage before making his first movie.  He was a very private and reserved gentleman, traits carried over into his acting style.  The five-time married actor was the father of two girls.

Herbert has the almost unique distinction as having been in a movie with both Robert (Riptide, 1934) and Robert Jr. (College Confidential, 1960).  He shares that distinction with Jayne Meadows who was in The Lady in the Lake (1946) with Robert and in College Confidential with Skip.  

Happy 121st Birthday Mr. Montgomery!!

 121 years ago ... my.  

Thought I'd share a pair of photographs taken in the early 1950s of Bob and Buffy vacationing in Zermatt, Switzerland, the small town at the base of the Matterhorn.  Great photos, great subjects and a wonderful setting.  Both Bob and Buffy look to be happy, Buffy with her big smile and Bob with a slight grin and eyes almost closed because he has placed his sunglasses on top of his head for the photograph.  One can imagine the glare from the sun in that snowy landscape.  

Bob was an avid and excellent skier, taking two-weeks' vacation most every February throughout the 1950s for sure.  Do take note of the near absence of people in this fantastic location.  There are 2 adults and a child behind the pair, you can partially see them behind Bob's right arm.  And that's it.  (Oh, yes, there is a photographer.)  Just amazing.  

Just a lovely couple.

And one handsome dude.  Those baby blues needed sunglasses in the bright sunlight.  And he is perfectly attired for the sport, as always.  

This second photograph was taken at the same spot, only the subjects have been distracted and are now looking away from the camera.  They have also created a space between them.  In the first photo their bodies are actually touching!  Egads.  

Bob plays King of the Hill!  

Buffy, always the pleasant-looking lady with a great smile.  

Dug up this photograph of Bob taken January 17, 1938 in Sun Valley.  Note the sunglasses propped on his forehead.  

A quick reminder of the seven-movie marathon showing on TCM today. The May 15th post lists the movies being shown.  Well, Happy Birthday, Robert.  Now, to decide which movies to watch, always a difficult task.  

A Man and his Horse

 EXCLUSIVE, STARS AND THEIR HOBBIES  -  Robert Montgomery, popular Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star, has a stable of excellent riding horses at his Southern California estate and finds ample time while working in pictures for outdoor activities.  Montgomery is currently appearing in M-G-M's "Fast and Loose," co-starring with Rosalind Russell.

TYPICAL OUTDOOR GENTLEMAN ... Is Robert Montgomery, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star, who, besides owning a farm in New York state, also has a stable of excellent riding horses at his Southern California estate Montgomery spends three months of each year on his New York farm and even while working in pictures finds ample time for outdoor activities.

Don't forget Wednesday is Bob's birthday.  TCM is showing seven of his movies (rah! rah! TCM!).