Bob aged a bit in 16 years (Haven't we all!)

 Faithless (1932) co-starring Bob and Tallulah Bankhead will be shown on TCM beginning June 23rd.  It's a decent enough movie, far better than the reaction it got when first released.  There is one jarring element (for me, anyway): Hugh Herbert is playing a bad guy!

            Bob, Tallulah Bankhead and Hugh Herbert in Faithless

Also showing this month is June Bride (1948).  TCM's monthly listing shows two start dates, June 16 and June 28.  I'm guessing the streaming will begin on the 28th.  Anyway, it's always a fun movie to watch.  Let's hear it for Bob and Bette for being professionals and not clawing up each other's faces.  (Meow...)  

                   Bob and Bette Davis in June Bride (1948)

Meanwhile, there are also four movies carried over from May still able to stream:  Piccadilly Jim (1936) until the 19th; Lady in the Lake (1946) the 20th; as well as They Were Expendable (1945) and When Ladies Meet (1933). 

Tallulah & Bob, a Nice-Looking Duo

Interesting Dutch magazine I hadn't run across before.  The issue is dated February 4, 1933, large size, as indicated by the fold wear mark, titled "The Weekly Magazine of Cinema and Theater".  Really nice colorization for a newspaper printing.  

And, inside, a large print of a studio photograph featuring Bob and Tallulah Bankhead in Faithless (1932).  Great print, in such excellent condition for a 91-year-old publication using inexpensive paper.  I also like the pose, with Tallulah's hands on the back of Bob's head but not a hair out of place on his head.  

'Bout Time to Release Letty Lynton!

 One handsome, sexy couple.  

          Robert Montgomery & Tallulah Bankhead in Faithless (1932)

In case you hadn't heard already --- I'm usually the last to find out --- Warner Archive is releasing Faithless on Blu-ray on January 30th.  Faithless is already available on DVD, part of the Robert Montgomery Collection.  But...if you prefer Blu-ray, the going pre-order price is $25.  Ouch.

Bob is Down for the Count

 Tallulah takes down Bob to where she wants him ... on the bed.  She's got a good hold on him, and he doesn't seem to be trying to escape.  Good catch, woman!  Love the full-faced smile of Bob's.  

                   Bob and Tallulah Bankhead in Faithless (1932)

"The-Man-They-Fall-In-Love-With"

Just a couple Bob mentions from the December, 1932 issue of "Modern Screen".  I like the reviewer's wrap up of most of Bob's roles up to this time. 

And an interesting presentation of one of the magazine's monthly portraits of the stars.  The line at the bottom reads:  We honor Robert Montgomery for his excellent work, despite an appendix operation, in "Faithless".  It would be remiss of one not to mention that most of the scenes he completed after his operation, involved being sick and in bed.  There probably wasn't much acting going on.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter...

A group scene from Faithless (1932) ... so what is interesting about this picture?

Lets zero in on what everyone is looking at.  Why, it's Bob and Tallulah.

But lets get in even closer.

Yes ... much, much more interesting.  And once more ...

Ahhh....t'ain't he cute.  Definitely the heart of the matter.

Happy Birthday, Dahling!

Tallulah Bankhead was born on this day in 1902 in Huntsville, Alabama.  Whereas she maintained her southern accent throughout her life, any trappings of the southern belle were left behind when, at the age of 16, she moved to New York City to begin her life in the theater.   The hard-drinking, chain-smoking and drug-using bisexual with a wonderful raspy voice found great success on the stage, less so on film.  I just read a review of her performance in Faithless (1932) wherein the author points to a lack of subtle expression in her face as a reason she was not successful in movies.  A good point.  Of course, there was nothing really subtle about Ms. Bankhead. 

                    Tallulah Bankhead and Bob in Faithless (1932)

Tallulah --- great name, isn't it! --- was the star of Faithless, Bob's role was almost a supporting performance.  He was in the hospital for three weeks during the scheduled filming of the move with a severe attack of appendicitis (keep in mind that penicillin was not widely available until the 1940s), so his part may have been cut back.  Whatever, he is in it enough to make you understand why Tallulah would "turn to the streets" to get medicine for her deathly ill husband.  And Bob certainly had the experience to portray a man confined to a bed.  All in all, a decent enough movie, worth watching if you don't expect a masterpiece.  Hey, it's pre-code and Bob is in it.  What more could one ask ...

Four Days To Go For Bob's Day on TMC

Don't Forget!!  Bob's Day on TMC is this coming Monday, August 22nd.  14 of his movies, just great.  And they have done a very good job in their selections.  I would wish they had included Petticoat Fever (1936), Bob at his prime in a delightful romp with Myrna Loy, and Once More, My Darling (1949), older Bob poking fun at his movie career and reputation as a ladies man on the screen.  But, hey, there are only 24 hours in a day.  Next time, right TMC?!  When you also bring Letty Lynton back to the screen where it belongs!! 

The first seven movies shown are in chronological order, starting with The Divorcee (1929), one of the five movies he made with Norma Shearer that gave him such a boost to his career.  It is certainly understandable why Norma would chose the 25-year-old Bob for a fling, to get back at Chester Morris.  
 

                        The Divorcee (1929) with Norma Shearer

The Man in Possession is just a delightful pre-code romp, straight to the bedroom and torn undergarments.  A definite must see if you haven't already. 

                  The Man in Possession (1931) with Irene Purcell

In a more serious vein, Bob is injured in an auto accident and spends much of his screen time in bed in Faithless.  It is very much Tallulah Bankhead's movie, with Bob looking ever so handsome as her near death husband. 

                       Faithless (1932) with Tallulah Bankhead

When Ladies Meet is an ensemble movie, with Ann Harding and Myrna Loy in the primary roles, given great support by Alice Brady, Frank Morgan and, of course, our Bob.  It is a tad chatty, but quite interesting, especially for the time. 

  When Ladies Meet (1933) with Myrna Loy, Alice Brady, Ann Harding       and Frank Morgan

The Mystery of Mr. X is a refreshing change for Bob.  He portrays a jewel thief who tracks down a mysterious murderer, even disguising himself as a Bobbie while chasing Mr. X in an exchange of gunfire.  The movie is not shown very often, so have your DVR ready. 

                                The Mystery of Mr. X (1934)

One of my all time favorite movies is Hide-Out.  Bob and Maureen make an incredibly cute couple.  Such a delightful movie.  This movie calls out for a sequel.  We need to find out just what happens to Lucky and Pauline!

                       Hide-Out (1934) with Maureen O'Sullivan

Piccadilly Jim is the fifth and last of the movies Bob makes with Madge Evans, a great co-star for Bob.  I have always thought it would be great to see them together in a movie made near the end of Bob's career.  It is difficult for me to imagine older Bob with Norma Shearer or Joan Crawford.  Anyway, any movie with Eric Blore is worth watching. 

                           Piccadilly Jim (1936) with Eric Blore

 I'm running out of gas here ...  hopefully, I'll continue with the remaining seven movies tomorrow. 

Faithless Trumps Forsaking All Others

I always thought this was a publicity photo for Forsaking All Others (1934), with Bob and Joan in a beautiful car looking bored out of their minds.  I have a 10 x 13 print, just gorgeous.  Recently, I happened to notice the MGM photo ID number in the lower right corner.  638 is the number given the movie Faithless (1932).  So that's Tallulah Bankhead in the car being bored along with Bob. 

I watched both movies to make sure I had the right movie (what I force myself to do for the sake of research!)  Besides thoroughly enjoying watching them once more, I discovered that neither movie has the above scene in them, not even that fantastic car.  Joan does wear a white outfit in Forsaking All Others, but the car she and Bob use is a two door model.**  Faithless doesn't even have a scene with Bob and Tallulah in a car, much less Tallulah in a white outfit. 

So, another scene that didn't make it into a movie.  What a waste.  They should have kept it in, so we could enjoy that car, if nothing else. 

**For some unknown reason, the car used in Forsaking All Others has the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle.  Really looks odd to see Bob and Joan in a process shot with Bob behind the wheel on the left side of the screen.

Bob the Thinker

When the mind is sluggish and without any particular idea for a post, it is always a good idea to resort to a portrait of Bob.  In this case the reader gets to see another photo of the beautiful, young Mr. Montgomery and I get to chat on about a favorite photo. 

This is a Hurrell portrait, one of many taken in 1932, my best guess being February, 1932.  The info on the back refers to Bob's current movie, The Truth Game, the working title of But the Flesh is Weak (1932) which was filmed in February of that year.  Photos from the same session were also used to promote Faithless (1932), filmed in August/September. 
  

Love the way the fingers of his left hand are so delineated, they draw your eyes directly to Bob's face, and such a handsome face it is.  And he's almost smiling.  What's not to like. 

Bob in PJs ... A Good Starting Point

 Bob on a four Poster with Madge Evans in Lovers Courageous (1932)


            Bob (Is that a gorgeous head of hair, or what?) with
                       Tallulah Bankhead in Faithless (1932)

  Carole Lombard being mean to poor Bob in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)

Two Words - DVD Set!

I never thought I'd ever write the phrase "Robert Montgomery DVD Set" here and not be joking.  Well, today is the day.

The Warner Archive collection is taking pre-orders on The Robert Montgomery Collection. That's right folks, $44.95 for this December 6 release will get you the following new-to-DVD titles:

• Shipmates (1931)
• The Man in Possession (1931)
• Faithless (1932)
• Lovers Courageous (1932)
• But the Flesh Is Weak (1932)
• Made on Broadway (1933)
• Live, Love and Learn (1937)
• The Earl of Chicago (1940)

Eight movies on four disks.

Can I put in a vote for Letty Lynton?

Aw Nuts

Not like I was in the "neighborhood" and could stop by, but I just found out that Faithless was on the big screen over the weekend. The showing was part of an Irving Thalberg event at the Egyptian Theater in LA. Now that is what I really needed on my Hollywood visit...

401k vs. Movie Collectibles

Profiles in History has a massive auction coming up Dec. 14 and has posted an ton of really neat (technical term) items for viewing on ebay. I'll tell you, the four drawer metal file cabinets full of stills really has my interest. I'm sure they went through them first to weed out the nice items, but that whole "grab bag" idea gets your imagination going. Shipping will be murder, I'm sure. As hinted to in this post's title, collectibles just might be doing better right now in value than my retirement.

Now it wouldn't be a Classic Montgomery post without mentioning there are some sweet Bob Montgomery photos up for sale. In addition to Hurrell portraits, stills from films such as No More Ladies, Untamed, Letty Lynton, When Ladies Meet, and Our Blushing Brides, Faithless are up for grabs.

If you go digging, I recommend checking out ebay and also Profile's Web site at ProfilesInHistory.com. I've noticed for some lots, additional or different photos are on their Web site vs. ebay (and vice versa).

Oh, and one more hint, hunters. Search for film titles or co-stars to your fav. films - you'll find more.

Joan representing fangirls worldwide

A Hurrell from Faithless (also a Picture in Picture topic)

Just Joan

Faithless Photo Friday

Picture in Picture - Faithess

Scene from 1932's Faithless, with Tallulah Bankhead:

For The Library

Added to the Amazon Wishlist:

In the Picture: Production Stills from the TCM Archives

In the Picture: Production Stills from the TCM Archives offers a rare collection of B&W photographs taken on movie sets from the silent era to the 1960's, giving readers a glimpse of Hollywood at work in the Golden Era. Highlighting the energy, glamour and challenge of filmmaking, these production stills capture beloved movie moments both in front of and behind the camera. In the Picture offers a unique perspective on Hollywood history from the great studio productions of MGM, Warner Bros. and RKO.

Format: Hardcover 10 3/4 x 9 1/2, 160 pp and 143 tritone images
Publisher: Chronicle Books

Includes pics from TCM favs such as:

• Bringing Up Baby
• Dancing Lady
• Faithless
• Forsaking All Others
• Hide-Out
• Inspiration
• Lady in the Lake
• Night Must Fall
• North By Northwest
• They Were Expendable
• The Thinn Man
• Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
  

It's a bargain book over at Amazon - cheaper than TCM.

Faithless

I think it's slick that the NY Times has old movie reviews up on their web site. For instance:

Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Montgomery in a Film Version of a Story by Mildred Cram

By MORDAUNT HALL.A.D.S.
Published: November 19, 1932

Whatever may be said against the lengthy and tangled story of "Faithless," this film at least has the distinction of capable portrayals by Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Montgomery. Yet, as well as they do here in the various phases of the narrative, it is obvious that both would be better suited to a smart comedy than to this lumbering species of drama. So far as one can glean, this picture is largely a case of Carol Morgan's (Miss Bankhead) recklessness during several episodes, being contrasted with Bill Wade's (Mr. Montgomery) courage and faith. Between the lines it might be added that Carol at certain stages of the proceedings reveals her loyalty, in her own peculiar manner, and that Bill is often hotheaded....

Read the rest here. I think I agree with Mordaunt on what he wrote - wow, now there's a dated name.

Home Decoration Ideas

I have this catalog here from Archival Photography, a place out of Allen Park, Michigan. This place sells photo reproductions of mostly lobby cards, with some movie posters & photos. Neat stuff - I have ordered from him in the past. Lots of 1930's stuff. His Robert Montgomery collection is thin though:

• Faithless - title card repro

• Lady in the Lake - window card poster, lobby card repros

• Night Must Fall - half sheet poster repro

Web site is at www.arch-photo.com. The online catalog isn't as good as the paper one...I think you need a decoder ring for the web site.