A slightly different Hollywood Trio

 The movie is Louisa (1950), directed by Alexander Hall who also directed Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941). The plot:  two guys (Edmund Gwynn and Charles Coburn) fight over one girl (Spring Byington).  Yeah, another Bob/Clark/Joan movie ... well, sort of.   

Anyway, Edmund decides on flowers and an evening in the parlor. Spring is interested.

Charles goes all out with assistance from Mother Nature.  Again, Spring is interested, the little hussy.

Spring's son, Ronald Reagan gets involved, demanding Edmund watch himself.  Picking on a very diminutive Edmund ... for shame Ron!  

The boys decide to settle the matter once and for all.  I'm putting my money on Edmund.  

Just Mr. Montgomery staying busy

 Bob directed "Calculated Risk" on Broadway in 1962.  It turned out to be his last work in the entertainment business.  Not a bad way to go out, directing a play on Broadway after a rather humble start as a stagehand some 40 years prior.  

I just noticed that John Beal is a cast member.  Mr. Beal's first movie was Another Language (1933), playing Bob's younger brother.  He also appeared twice on Robert Montgomery Presents.  

Bob was 58 at this time.  From this brief bio in the flyer, you could surmise he was not in retirement mode, just seeking other interests.  

Hedy and Bob together? Would have been interesting.

Yes, I know the lucky guy in the photograph is not Bob (Montgomery).  I can appreciate another good-looking fellow on occasion.  In this case, it is Bob Young with the perfectly beautiful Ms. Lamarr in a studio photo for H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941).  I like the pose ... Hedy dominating Young.  Yeah, that works well.  

Sorry for the briefness.  Didn't remember I had a post to do until I was on the way to bed.  The memory goes first ...  Enjoy your weekend!  

And a Whip Cracker is ... ???

 SCREEN STAR AND NOTED SPORTSMAN ARRIVE FOR POLO ---- LOS ANGELES, CALIF ...... Robert Montgomery, popular film star, and Snowy Baker, well known Australian whip cracker and all-round sportsman, as they arrived at the Riviera Polo Grounds for the match in which Hollywood notables recently participated.  3-23-1933.  

Mr. Montgomery attired in all white ... the impeccable polo player.  Looking good, young man.  But there is something different here.  

Oh, I finally see it.  Bob is au naturel, in this case meaning he has not slicked (oiled) down his hair.  Rather like it this way.  

Whipcracking was actually a sport in Australia.   Wiki has all the information you could ever want to know about it.  I'll stick with baseball.  

M.G.M.'S ... fastest wisecracker, indeed.

"M.G.M.'s leading light comedian and fastest wisecracker has his serious moments.  He brought one with him for this picture.  Bob has been making big pictures since 1930, when he appeared in "Inspiration" with Garbo.  This year (1934) you saw him with Joan in "Forsaking All Others" and '"No More Ladies."

I collect magazine prints of Mr. Montgomery because they are a lot less expensive than actual photographs.  I could not afford an original of this Hurrell photograph.  In fact, this is the only copy of either version I've seen.  Yeah, an 11x14 photograph of a nonchalant Mr. Montgomery to hang above my desk.  Almost perfect.  

Be Still, My Beating Heart!

  Can you guess what I can't stop thinking about these past few days?  It is a range of emotions from sheer ecstasy (hopefully seeing a clear print of a Beautiful Bob movie for the first time!), to having a nightmare about the Paramount+/Warner Bros. Discovery merger killing any plans to release Letty on DVD!  Aaarrggh!  

Favor to ask, if any of you or anyone you know are fortunate enough to attend the screening, please, please, Please drop us a line or two or as many as you want!  The word for the day, good people, is Share!  

Bob in his prime.  Wearing that gorgeous white suit.  Nirvana.  

                   Bob and Joan Crawford in Letty Lynton (1932)

"... with all legal impediments extinguished ..."

 YAHOO!!!!!!!!!  

Great news shared by Ms. Carrie today ... a 4G restoration of Letty Lynton (1932) is being featured at the TCM Classical Film Festival.  On May 1st Letty will be shown in all its glorious B&W at the Egyptian Theatre in L.A.  Just fantastic.  Unfortunately, there is no mention of the movie being released to DVD, but surely TCM/Warner Archive will do the honors, particularly since Warner Bros. Discovery did the restoration.  

Anyway, it is going to happen, period.  I'm thinking about the scene wherein Mr. Montgomery makes his first appearance on the boat.  Ahhh...  

And in his spare time ...

 "Robert Montgomery is the host-narrator and occasional star of his popular dramatic series, "Robert Montgomery Presents Your Lucky Strike Theatre" and "Robert Montgomery Presents The Johnson's Wax Program," each seen on NBC-TV alternate Monday nights.  Montgomery is also executive producer of the program."  (12/18/53)

In case you are wondering about Bob's odd stance, it's a balancing trick.  The lifted leg with his foot on the bench helps keep him stationary.  If he were to stand straight up with both feet on the floor, he'll easily enough start to sway, a problem since the camera is focused on him probably shoulder high and any small movement would be noticeable.  Hey, it's 1953 live television, you do what you can!

And What was Bob doing in February of 1929?

"In connection with the signing of Robert Montgomery by M-G-M it's appropriate to quote the old one about 'all good things come to he who waits.'  Montgomery, who has bag and baggaged to the Coast, was signed to play opposite Vilma Banky a few months ago but it developed that he wasn't the type and James Hall was commandeered for the part instead.  But M-G-M snatched him up and now he's in possession of a long-term contract."