Myrna deserves better

Myrna Loy always seemed to be on the tall side.  She was only 5ft 5 1/2" which in her era was quite tall.  In the still below, Myrna towers over her co-star, an Audrey Ferris who claimed to be 5ft 2".  Well, somebody's height measurement is a tad off.  

Fancy Baggage (1929)

In this still from Wife vs. Secretary, Myrna towers over the help.  (The lady playing the cook is a rather interesting actress named Greta Meyer.  She was a very busy bit player from 1932 to the mid-1940s, but her early career in Germany was much more successful.  Do look her up on Wiki, an interesting read.)

                                  Wife vs. Secretary (1936)

Thankfully, most of the male leads at MGM (Bob, Bill, Clark) were taller than her so she never had to walk in a trench, just had to take off her shoes on occasion.  Ms. Loy's birth date is August 2nd.  Yes, I am way tardy with this post.  Myrna deserves better.  

I'm sure Marianne's Day was Made, Anyway!

I had forgotten that this photo is an original Hurrell, his stamp is on the back.  It is a nice photo and all, but it isn't the kind normally associated with Mr. Hurrell.  I'm guessing it was taken as a tie-in to a phone company ad campaign.  I know Bob did an ad for a South American telephone company at about the same time as this was made.

  

I do not know who "Marianne" was, but I don't think Bob actually wrote that part of the autograph.  The letters are much too smooth.  The rest is Bob, who has yet, in 1931, to master his signature.  Note that the small letters are rather awkwardly written, not the wonderfully smooth letters of his autograph from 1933 or so and on through the 1930s and 1940s.  

Nifty isn't it.  

One Down, Eight to Go

 Yes, there were a lot of birthdays in August that I missed.  My apologies to a bunch of great performers.  So, let's get going, starting with Ms. Norma Shearer.  She'd appreciate being number one on my list.  It took me a while to appreciate her and her position in the movies.  I think of her as being tough and demanding, but so were most all the stars of that era.  It was - and I'm sure still is - a very tough business.  

Norma was born in Montreal, Canada on August 10, 1902.  To me, one of the niftiest things about her is that she retired from the movies in 1942, married a ski instructor 11 years her junior, and led a very quiet life from then on.  Good move, Ms. Shearer.  

Oh, and Live, Love and Learn (1937) is available for streaming on TCM until September 16th.

Fits into my budget ... Nice stuff $7 and under

 Not sure how they are able to do it so inexpensively, but there are now several companies that are producing very nice prints at decent prices.  Just love this Charles Boyer portrait, but there is no way I could justify paying for an original copy.  I'm even having to pass on Bob items that are so outrageously priced on e-Bay.  

Of course, there are always trade cards available at a decent price.  Believe this one cost me $2.99 plus $2 shipping.  

Another nifty portrait of Mr. Boyer, born August 28th, 1899.  Have you noticed that Charles is smoking in all three photos?  Ah, the good ole' days.  Anyway, Happy Birthday, Mr. Boyer!

Surprise! An actual post. It has been a while.

 Well, I've survived the heat exhaustion, etc.  My visits to the dentist continue.  One look at my teeth and everyone starts planning next year's vacation.  Meanwhile, ...

There are a lot of Bob-related actors with August birthdays.  Perhaps by the end of September, I'll get caught up with Happy Birthday posts.  Anyway, I'm starting off with Nat Pendleton, who happens to have the same birthday as yours truly, August 9th.  A kindred soul.  

Nat was a wrestler before entering movies, competing in high school and college before going to the 1920 Olympics to win the silver medal for heavyweight wrestling.  After trying professional wrestling for two years, he decided movies would be more lucrative.  And he was right.  

Nat was a presence not easily overlooked when he came on screen.  Below, he appears in Fugitive Lovers (1934) as 'Legs' Caffy, the gangster who had Letty (Madge Evans) on his payroll and follows her as she tries to escape him via bus from New York City.

   Madge Evans (far left) and Nat Pendleton in Fugitive Lovers 

Mr. Pendleton evidently stayed in shape from his wrestling days.  Below are pictures of him as 'Sallow' in The Great Ziegfeld (1936).  Rather impressive for a 41-year-old actor!  

And now we know what Leo the Lion's day job was.  

                     Nat Pendleton in The Great Ziegfeld (1936

A little color for a change

I have discovered the limit of heat my body can withstand; 111 degrees while floating on a raft for 3 hours in our pool.  And the main symptoms of heat exhaustion are nausea, dizziness and fatigue.  Just grand.  Meanwhile, I broke off a crown/tooth at gum level!  Ah, life can be just so wonderful.  Anyway, for now, how about a nifty color photo for a change until I can regain control of my body.  

                                          Gene Raymond

Having difficult time imagining Bob speaking Portuguese

 Cinefilo, meaning film enthusiast or lover, was a Portuguese magazine published in Brazil during the 1930s.  The issue below was published September 5, 1931.  Considering it was printed on inexpensive paper 95 years ago; it is in rather good condition.   

The photograph MGM sent the magazine of Mr. Montgomery was printed on an inexpensive newsprint rather than photographic paper.  It is the same as the photo used in picture frames for sale.  Shipping rates to Brazil from the U.S. must have been quite high in 1931 ... that's one long boat ride.  

It still amazes me how successful Paul Whiteman was during this period.  Not too many portly, balding and middle-aged men make the bigtime these days.  

Irene Purcell's photo is on the back of the magazine.  There are no associated articles inside featuring the stars on the front or back.  That's okay.  I'm not up to having to use google translate these days. Oh, yes, August 7th is Irene's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Ms. Purcell!

Battle of the Reginald's

 Everybody Sing (1938) starred Alan Jones and Judy Garland.  It may not have been a highly rated movie, but it did have some excellent supporting actors to attempt to save it from being too much of a bomb.  Reginald Owen, Reginald Gardiner and Billie Burke, each in their own unique way, were great actors.  Mr. Owen, whose birthday is August 5th, could seemingly play any type of role to perfection.   Mr. Gardiner was really good at playing the "upper-crust English twit."  And Ms. Burke was a master at portraying "Billie Burke", one of a kind for sure.  

Thumbs up to Mr. Gardiner for going face-to-face with Mr. Owen.  I'd say the eyes have it!  (Sorry, I'm working on this much too late in the day.)

A slightly late update of Bob on TCM ... June Bride (1948) is available until August 11th and The Big House (1930) ends a brief run on August 7th.  

Such a Nifty Couple

Hide-Out:  the movie simply cries out for a follow-up episode.  Yes, will prison turn Lucky into a real bad guy?  Will Pauline be still waiting for him?  Will Lucky be able to "go straight"?  Will Willie (Mickey Rooney) still be a pest?  Can you just imagine how cute their kids could be?  

                      Bob and Maureen O'Sullivan in Hide-Out (1934)

  It's easy to tell Bob and Maureen enjoyed working together.  Cuteness Personified!

The Ever-Dapper Mr. Powell

It's a very Happy Birthday greeting to the delightful Mr. William Powell, born July 29th, 1892.  He's one of those rather rare celebrities one would like to meet, with little fear of disappointment.  

Ah, the suave, most elegant, etc., etc. younger Mr. Powell.  Takes me back to my smoking days when I could sit back with cigarette in hand and dream of Bill asking if I would like a light.  Rrff.

Then there is the 1947 version of Mr. Powell as Clarence Day in Life With Father.  It's two decades later, but he is still the suave gent dressed impeccably.  

And a delightful caricature of Bill found on a cigarette trade card from England.  Yes, quite the dapper gent.  

Quite the Relief ... Turns out to be a good movie!!

Yes, Letty Lynton has FINALLY arrived in Bakersfield (all the way from LA?).  Hopefully everyone else has theirs as well.  Thoroughly enjoyed watching it without getting a mild headache squinting for a clearer image.  Beautiful print.  Bob just perfect in his first scene wearing that gorgeous white suit.  Had warned my husband we'd be watching it the same day it arrived.  He actually laughed out loud during the scene with Jerry and Letty in the boat's dining room.  Their exchange of one-liners is really quite good.  One of my favorite scenes is with Bob running up a flight of steps while carrying Joan.  He was in good shape, for sure.  Anyway, the nifty thing is that he stops his run with one step to go, one foot still in camera range.  You'd think there would've been a landing for him to step onto and put Joan down, but...or maybe he just ran out of gas!  

Anyway, it is a most enjoyable watch.  A beautiful print with beautiful stars and a decent enough storyline, especially for a 1932 movie.  That's only three years since the advent of the talkies.  Such a long time ago.  And we're just now getting to enjoy it.  For me it was worth the wait.  

Now, if someone would hunt down a copy of Three Live Ghosts(1929) ... Or a decent copy of Unfinished Business (1941).  Or Hell Below on DVD.  Or .... at least the list is one movie shorter!

                  Bob and Joan Crawford in Letty Lynton (1932)

Happy Birthday, Mr. Cagney!

 James Francis Cagney, born this day July 17th on the lower east side of Manhattan in 1899.    A compelling performer.  For sure.  

Just love the print below.  All that energy bundled up and ready to explode.  Dig the eyelashes.  I'm envious.  

A mustache worked okay for young Mr. Cagney, in his tough guy roles in particular.  Much better than Bob.  For sure.  

Jim and best friend Frank McHugh practicing being tough with one another.  I wonder how many movies they made together.  

Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhh, Part 2!

 So....Amazon has delayed the (hopeful) delivery of the Letty Lynton DVD once again, until July 20 to July 22.  And they actually asked if I still wanted my order.  Aaarrghh!  These people just don't get it.  Waiting all these years .... sigh.  (I know ... get a grip, woman!)

               Nils Asther and Joan Crawford, Letty Lynton (1932)

Meanwhile, June Bride (1948) is available for streaming on TCM until August 11th and When Ladies Meet (1933) only until July 18th.  

HAPPY 250TH TO THE USA!!

 

Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!

 My Letty Lynton DVD has been delayed (yours too, I'd imagine) until July 9th to July 12th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  No explanation by Amazon as to why ... of course not.  Calm down, calm down.  What's another week or two after all these years ... an eternity it is.  

Letty Lynton Coming Soon ...

 My preorder receipt said my DVD would be delivered June 30th.  Current listing states DVD to arrive July 10th or July 15th.  Whatever, it just can't come too soon.

                    

Bob's Last Leading Lady Dies

 Condolences to the Blyth family.  Ann was apparently a class act.  

                Ann Blyth, August 16, 1927 to June 24, 2026 (98)

And Just What Are You Doing, Cary?

 After so many years in the business, it is easy to understand how an actor/photographer can run out of poses for a movie's publicity shots.  I'd say Mr. Grant is giving it his all, but ... 

1959 ... Lordy, has it really been 67 years since Petticoat came out?!  I was in my Cary Grant/Clark Gable stage at the time and remember the movie in quite some detail.  (Just don't ask me what I had for dinner last night ...)  

                    Cary Grant in Operation Petticoat (1959)

Yeah, he could've passed as the villain!

A really nice photograph.  Love all the light angles, the highlighted white tie, Bob's pouty lips ... 

               Robert Montgomery in The Mystery of Mr. X (1934)

Who's In the Doghouse?

"Lt. Commander Robert Montgomery and Mrs. Montgomery at the premiere of 'Since You Went Away' directed by John Cromwell."  June, 1944

It's Bob's expression:  does he look on the verge of losing it, or what?  Betty, as is highly unusual, is walking a distance away and in front of Bob.  She looks very stern/determined, as in daring anyone to get in her way, or for Bob to say anything to her at all.  Since You Went Away is 2 hrs. and 57 min. long.  That must have been a very exhausting experience.  

Goooo, Charles, Irene and Charles!!

 KEEP IT CLEAN - Charles Boyer, Irene Dunne and Charles Coburn do a polish job on the status of the town's hero in Columbia's gay comedy, "Together Again."

I can't imagine a more awkward trio of pitchmen.  But the old pros that they are, all have their best grins for the cameraman. 

How Robert Montgomery helped daughter Liz

 

When you can't afford the originals (pt.2) ...

 Think Small, Think Postcards

George Hurrell took a lot of portraits of Robert Montgomery.  Unfortunately, very few are in circulation.  Heck, even the postcard versions are rare.  

It is Norma Shearer being won over by Bob in this publicity shot for Strangers May Kiss (1931).  Yes, even posing for publicity shots could be enjoyable with the right partner.  

Hurrell took a goodly number of photographs for Riptide (1934), with Bob, Norma and Herbert Marshall.  They were taken to highlight Norma; the silk gown and no underwear helped.   

Forsaking All Others (1934) was filmed late in the year, after Hurrell left MGM.  A gent named Tanner took this photo of Bob, Joan Crawford and Clark Gable.  Joan was in between marriages, enjoying her affair with Clark; Bob was enjoying working with friend Gable, and not with Hurrell.  

Bob and Carole ...

 Two excellent pros in a delightful comedy.

Carole Lombard & Robert Montgomery in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)