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!

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. 

Happy Birthday, Mr. Montgomery!

 And what better way for Bob to celebrate his birthday then with friends (maybe family) at a hot new nightclub.  He would have enjoyed that.  This photo was not a birthday celebration, however.  It was taken in August 1940 at Ciro's, which was a hot new nightclub.  And they all are friends.  The occasion is a fundraiser for War Relief.   

The attendees are from left to right:  Bob, holding court; Pat Paterson, Mrs. Boyer; Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.; an unknown lady; and the back of Mary Lee, Mrs. Fairbanks.

 

 On the other side of the table are Charles Boyer; Betty Montgomery, partially hidden by Boyer's glass; and a very tall unknown gentleman.  

Since I don't recognize the lady at the far end of the table, nor the gent across from her, I'm going to take a wild guess ... how about Bob's brother Don and his wife.  Two of the few things I know about the brother are that he was taller than bob, by at least a couple inches, and he was in L.A. at least during the war when he handled Bob's businesses.  Like I said, just a fun guess.  

Anyway, for those of us not planning to go out on the town today, TCM has four Bob movies available for streaming at present:  Riptide, until June 5th; The Divorcee and The Easiest Way, until June 14th; and They Were Expendable, until June 15th.  Not a bad selection.  Just think, next year we'll be able to watch our Letty Lynton DVD!!!!

I just learned how to spell "doppelganger"

 August 28 is Charles Boyer's birthday.  He committed suicide two days before his birthday in 1978, two days after his wife died.  He fell in love with his wife Pat Paterson at first sight, their marriage lasted 44 years and Charles was a totally devoted husband - ever so rare in Hollywood, particularly for a native of France!  A sad death or ever so romantic?  Both, I guess.  

                                      Charles Boyer, 1934

Boyer was a unique Hollywood star.  Besides English and French, he could speak German, Italian and Spanish.  (I wonder what his accent sounded like in Italian!)  He earned a degree in Philosophy from the Sorbonne.  Balding significantly since his 20's, he did not wear a toupee except as required in his movies.  Wikipedia has a rather thorough write-up of his career that is definitely worth a read.  A rather interesting gentleman.  

                              Charles Boyer, Gaslight (1944)

And just what is his connection to Bob, you ask?  How about MGM bringing Boyer to the states in 1931 to portray Chester Morris's role in The Big House.  Besides, I just plain like the guy.  No one agrees with me, but I think he looks like Mr. Montgomery.  I just dug up a photo which supports my argument better.  Not exactly a doppelganger, but ...

You've Got to be Kidding Me ...

Sorry, I just do not see Walter Pidgeon as Austrian officer (and baritone) Franz von Remner in a 1930 Oscar Hammerstein musical titled Viennese Nights.  I know he was a singer before the movies, but ...

                       Walter Pidgeon in Viennese Nights (1930)

Dick Powell is a gentleman I first knew as a successful TV/movie producer, but he was extremely likeable as the young singer in 1930s Warner Bros. musicals.  And he had a delightful tenor voice!  It's knowing of his struggle to advance his career from juveniles to dramatic leads, that makes this photo seem uncomfortable for Mr. Powell.  For me, it's the leaves on the helmet that takes it over the top.  (Olivia is still with us, a young 103!  Strong women rule!)

    Dick & Olivia de Havilland in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)

Charles Boyer, the ultimate French lover of the 1930s, is cast as a conniving Japanese diplomat in Hara Kiri.  What more needs to be said ...

                  Listed as Thunder in the East (1935) on IMDB.

Meet Me in the Casbah --- Oh Yes, Yes!!

Charles Boyer was one of my early favorite movie stars.  The combination of his voice and accent ... just heavenly.  He was always telling these beautiful women that he loved them and, needless to say, I always imagined I was the lucky lady in his arms. 

    Charles Boyer & Paulette Goddard in Hold Back the Dawn (1941)

However, Mr. Boyer was totally unavailable.  He married his wife Pat in 1934 and, by all accounts and unlike most of his compatriots, remained faithful to her until her death on August 24, 1978.  Two days later, Mr. Boyer committed suicide rather than continue to live without her.  That was August 26th, two days before his birthday of August 28th.  It's all so sad, but being with the love of your life for 44 years, that part of it was a wonderful blessing.