Poor Madge, Stuck with the Good Girl Image

Madge Evans ... just couldn't break the good girl casting.   She found playing the nice girl all the time as just too boring.  Finally chucked it all and married a Pulitzer Prize winning and very successful dramatist named Sidney Kingsley (Men in White, Dead End, Detective Story) who took her off to his 18th Century Oakland, New Jersey estate.  

I didn't realize until after purchasing Madge's photo that she had signed it.  You can see "To" just below her right hip and a swirl beginning the M in Madge.  Looking at the photo itself you can just make out scribbling across her dark skirt.  But, hey, it's still an autographed photo, right?!   (Sorta!)  

Man and his Toys

 Just can't remember if I've featured this photograph before or not.  Anyway, 'tis a nifty photo, Bob sitting on the fender of his newly acquired 1935 Bentley Roadster.  The car was made to his specific requirements, and road tested on a racetrack in London.  He then had it shipped to France from where Bob and Betty had a nice driving tour through Europe before returning stateside.  Of course, Bob drove it to the studio right away to show it off to one and all.  I like his reflection in the car doors, and the big smile.

Yes, the Flesh Certainly is Weak, When it comes to Mr. Montgomery ....

 But the Flesh is Weak (1932) has just begun a full run on TCM's streaming service, showing until April 17th.  The movie may not be one of Bob's best, but a fun watch, nevertheless.  I mean, it's not often that you get to see Bob take a bath.  And disrobe from underpants with ties instead of an elasticized waist band!  

               Bob and Nora Gregor in But the Flesh is Weak (1932)

Back Before the Digital World

"Actor-director Robert Montgomery inspects models of the sets to be used in Lady in the Lake with art designer Preston Ames."

I like Bob's using the child's wagon as a place to store his hat.  

Well, Maybe Not as Cool in B&W

 Bob and Carole hamming it up while making Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941).  It's always great fun to watch a couple of pros enjoying themselves.  If we hadn't lost Carole so soon, I can definitely see the two making another movie or two on down the line.  Yes, what a shame.  

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

When I talked about Lady in the Lake (1946) being streamed by TCM earlier this month, I really thought I was correct to believe so.  BUT, unless it streamed for one night only, it just disappeared.  Whatever, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is now listed under Watch Movies but hasn't been updated as yet with showing dates.  Hopefully it won't disappear as well!

Bob in Color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 One gorgeous color slide of Bob ... great, except for the shadow blocking out his eyes.  Love the yellow tie with the brown suit coat.  Nice smile.  The hat ... yeah, he started to wear it when he got out of the service and was wearing it later during the filming of Lady in the Lake.  I'm guessing nobody felt up to criticizing a four-year veteran about his choice of hatband.  

Yes, bigger is always better!

Messrs Tully and Nolan Meant Business

 THEY MEAN BUSINESS......Tom Tully (left) and Lloyd Nolan, both detectives, prepare to make an arrest after a savage fight with a murder suspect in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Lady in the Lake".  The picturization of the exciting Raymond Chandler mystery story has Robert Montgomery as both star and director.  

               Tom Tully & Lloyd Nolan in Lady in the Lake (1946)

I've always liked Tom Tully.  (Hey, and Lloyd Nolan as well.)  Tully played the tough cop enough to earn retirement salary from the L.A. Police Department.  He also did a great job as Mr. Brinker in June Bride (1948).  The apple cider scene with he and Bob was just great, one of my all-time favorites.  

"Lady" is being shown on TCM starting March 8th.  

He Just Looked So Good in a Tux

 The Divorcee (1930) is available to stream on TCM until March 31st.  Not a bad movie for its time, well Bob's role could have been larger.  I watched Broadway Melody the other night which was the 1930 winner of the Oscar for Best Picture, and no way as good as The Divorcee.  The studios learned very fast how to make a talkie.  

      Bob, Chester Morris and Norma Shearer in The Divorcee (1930)

And who is the tall young man with the smug look and pinkie raised just so?  No, it did not take Bob long to suffer from typecasting.