Dressing for Success

 Just love the hat ... simply gorgeous.  As is Mr. Montgomery with it on.  It appears at the beginning of The Mystery of Mr. X (1934) when Bob (as Nick) is with his lady friend Jane, as portrayed by Elizabeth Allan.  My, how could one say no to that look on Bob's face!  

Mystery is a surprisingly good movie.  It's seldom included as one of Bob's better movies so you don't expect it to be all that good.  Granted it's no great drama, but it is a pleasing mystery with a particularly good action sequence with Nick chasing Mr. X at night.  And Bob's wardrobe is superb, the perfect hat for each attire.  A top hat is included of course.

This chapeau is my favorite, fits nicely in scenes with Nick chasing down Mr. X.   I believe this photo shows him realizing the blood on his glove means Mr. X has stuck once again.  Blood on his white glove.  What a shame.  

The Mystery of Mr. X is streaming on TCM through October 15th.  Do watch it if you have the chance.  

Stars in "The Petrified Forest" on Television

 "Robert Montgomery hitch-hikes his way into trouble as Allan Squier, down-and-out-dreamer in Robert E. Sherwood's powerhouse of drama, "The Petrified Forest," seen on "Robert Montgomery Presents -- Your Lucky Strike Theatre, Monday, October 23 ... "

The NBC news release is dated 10/17/50, six days before the show was aired.  However, according to the Classic TV Archive (CTVA) listing of Anthology Series (which lists all RM Presents shows with casts and crews) Bob is not listed in the cast.  Brian Aherne has filled in for Mr. Montgomery.  I'm assuming Bob was ill.  Three cheers for Aherne being able to fill in on live television with such short notice.  Oh, and IMDB does not list Aherne as being on the show.  Ah, sweet mystery of life ... 

Ahoy, My Handsome Young Man!

 Nice photograph.  Signed by the young man himself.  Lucky Ann!

Just a standard fan card, but still a great photo of young Bob.  I'm sure there were thousands of fans who were quite happy to have it.  Hey, I'm happy to have it now.  

WHEN THE CAMERAS AREN'T GRINDING

 - you'll probably find Warren William sailing or working on his boat, the Pegasus, a 50-foot schooner.  An extended cruise is the favorite between-picture pastime of the popular actor, currently co-featured with Karen Morlen in "Outcast."  (Photo stamped Feb. 24, 1937.)

He looks like he knows what he is doing.

In the 1930s, I would've bought every fanzine on the rack!

 The popularity of fan magazines in the 1930s, kept the public relations departments of the studios quite busy.  Most all of the magazines used a one-page format of a single photograph of the star with a brief biography and/or mention of their current film.  The magazines, the p.r. departments and the fans all loved the format.  

"Young America's new "boy friend" gets less and less American with each succeeding film.  See him as a quarrelsome English husband in "Private Lives," playing the part acted on the stage by the author, Noel Coward."

"After a decided personal triumph in "Petticoat Fever," in which he co-starred with Myrna Loy, Robert Montgomery will seek new laurels in a follow-up picture teamed again with the lovely Loy.  The title of this one is "Love on the Run," and it has to do with an American news reporter in London and a duchess who is running away from an unwelcome marriage.  You can expect plenty of laughs, with Montgomery at his best as the reporter."

Of course, Bob did not appear in "Love on the Run."  The studio put Gable and Crawford in it to take advantage of the press coverage of their current affair.  And Bob did not want to make another film about buses, "Fugitive Lovers" was enough.  Bob came out ahead on this career move, "Love on the Run" not being much of a success.  

"Filmgoers have missed the smiling face of Robert Montgomery from the screen lately.  Illness caused his removal from the cast of "Mutiny on the Bounty," and other troubles kept him out of later films that had been arranged for him.  But he'll be around again soon, in a comedy interestingly entitled "Petticoat Fever," with no less a person than Myrna Loy as his starring partner.  He gives you a cheery smile, above, to show you that he's quite well again, thank you."  

Of course Bob was not sick for a year, preventing him from making "Mutiny on the Bounty." or any other movie in 1935.  Mayer kicked Bob off the movie, I've always assumed it was because of Bob's involvement with the SAG movement.  Anyway, Bob took off for New York for his 3-month vacation and refused to accept the poor projects MGM sent to him until he finally had to accept "Petticoat Fever" or void his contract.  Certainly glad he made the film!

Nifty photo of Mr. Montgomery further down in the article. And he actually mentions his brother! A rarity.

This article is from the December, 1945 issue of "New Movie Magazine."  Not bad, has a few interesting tidbits.  

Ahh ... Springtime in Beverly Hills!

 Looks like Bob is in good form for a steeplechase!  

Full concentration on Bob's part.  Wouldn't want to stumble over the wall in front of a cameraman.  

Check out the small black spot on his shirt.  Yes, it is indeed "RM".  Love it.

And a second photo of Bob walking briskly around his pool.  These two and the photos of Bob in/by the pool were used by the personal relations department in a series of articles showing how Bob keeps in shape for his movies.    Bob was big on swimming, but walking and jumping over small walls, maybe not.