Politics Were Simpler in 1940

 "MRS. WILLKIE ESCORTED BY HOLLYWOOD ACTORS:  Attentively squired by two handsome movie actors, and apparently enjoying every minute of it, Mrs. Wendell L. Willkie is shown at the Hollywood Bowl September 19 when her husband, the Republican Presidential nominee, spoke briefly.  Robert Montgomery is at left and George Murphy at right."  

I'll Guess Bette Takes a Swing at Bob ...

 Going from a posting on how nice the photos could be on small trade/cigarette cards, to photos clipped from newspapers/magazines that one can hardly make out.  For example, in the clipping below, the heading mentions Liz Harkness.  But I have to disagree ... it just isn't Buffy.  I've decided the info is associated with another photo on the page, that the lady is really Joan Harrison, Bob's producer for Ride the Pink Horse (1947) and Once More, My Darling (1949).  Bob liked Joan, so you can't go by the way he's looking at her, smile and all.  What d'ya think?  

And this is a scene from the May 9, 1955 production of "The Great Gatsby" on Robert Montgomery Presents.  I'm assuming that's our Bob portraying Gatsby on the far right.  That is Phyllis Kirk playing Daisy.  And one of the other gents is Lee Bowman, probably sitting next to Phyllis.  

And there is no questioning who the three people are below:  Bob (with a smirk), George Murphy (the cause of the smirk), and Bette Davis who is trying to decide which guy she'll slap.  What a trio.

Bob Looking Dapper in the Rare Black Suit

Bette Davis will appear with Robert Montgomery and Basil Rathbone in the first all-dramatic program of the ''Screen Guild Show'' series on Sunday, January 22 (1939).  Their play is a dramatic original entitled ''Can We Forget" by Mary McCall one of Hollywood's leading scenarists.  George Murphy will be master of ceremonies and Oscar Bradley music director of the broadcast over WABC-Columbia network at 7:30 p.m., EST.  

 

Highly unfavorable hair style Ms. Davis is wearing.  The dress is on the dowdy side as well ... but the mink coat is always a plus.  You'll note there are no smiles in the first photo, but big smiles in the second.  Like maybe they finally saw the cameraman?  

Ah, To Tweak the Montgomery Chin at Ciro's

 Yes, that's Mrs. Murphy with a good grip on Mr. Montgomery's arm.  Mrs. Montgomery is between Mr. Murphy and Mrs. Cagney.  Late 1930's version of wife swapping. 

 

 

 The above two photos show that Bob, although a heavy smoker, was seldom caught by the photographer with a cigarette in hand or mouth.  Nor was he photographed wearing his glasses.  Both he and Irene, below, have eyeglasses in hand.