Bob In Both a Bathrobe and a Tux ... Rrrf!

 A rather interesting review of Riptide (1934) from the April 28, 1934, issue of "Picturegoer" Magazine.  A fun read.  And they liked Bob!  

And Herbert was 14 years older ...

 Herbert Marshall was born May 23, 1890, in London, England.  After early training as an accountant, Mr. Marshall chose to become an actor, gaining 20 years of experience on the stage before making his first movie.  He was a very private and reserved gentleman, traits carried over into his acting style.  The five-time married actor was the father of two girls.

Herbert has the almost unique distinction as having been in a movie with both Robert (Riptide, 1934) and Robert Jr. (College Confidential, 1960).  He shares that distinction with Jayne Meadows who was in The Lady in the Lake (1946) with Robert and in College Confidential with Skip.  

The Future According to MGM

 MGM's Screen Forecast for 1934 - 1935, is a small publication, about 3-1/2" x 4-1/2", with 28 pages.  I'm assuming it was given out as a freebee at theaters and tells briefly the movies MGM stars were cast in for release in 1934-35.  And just like the weather, MGM's forecast was somewhat limited in accuracy.  

Of course, not all were incorrect ... Robert Montgomery did co-star with Ann Harding in Biography of a Bachelor Girl (1935).  

Unfortunately, Robert Montgomery did not appear in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). 

 

William Powell and Myrna Loy appeared in a whole lot of movies together, but The Casino Murder Case (1935) was not one of them.  Paul Lukas and Rosalind Russell inherited this crime mystery.  

Some slight changes were made to the Shearer romance movie, Marie Antoinette, not released until 1938.  Lets see, it lost Charles Laughton and Herbert Marshall, and gained Tyrone Power and John Barrymore.  Must have been some changes in the storyline as well.  I mean, I just can't see Herbert Marshall and Tyrone Power up for the same role.  No way.

And, saving the best for last, and I quote:  "Gloria Swanson will co-star with Clark Gable in a thrilling romance."  Now that's funny.  Gable must have choked on his steak when the MGM rep. brought up that idea.  Perhaps he let Joan Crawford take care of Swanson.  Trying to move in on her guy ... really.

A Young Mr. Marshall, Well Comparatively So

 My best guess for when this photo was made is 1932, the year Herbert Marshall first appeared in U.S. movies.  And that would make him 42 years old.  Looks a lot older in Riptide, made only two years later.  It was probably the adjustment to the Hollywood lifestyle ...

Ah, yes, Mr. Tyrone Power, 20th Century-Fox's version of the incredibly good-looking star.  I compare him to Robert Taylor.  Any female co-star just had to accept not being the most beautiful star on the set.  

            Joan Fontaine & Tyrone Power in This Above All (1944)

I like this studio publicity shot.  It almost makes it appear that Jimmy Stewart is a dancer!  I like Eleanor's dress.  Would love to see the photo in color.  

            Eleanor Powell & James Stewart in Born to Dance (1936)

Why Did Women Love Herbert Marshall?

 Nifty front cover of the Sept. 16, 1933 issue of Film Pictorial.  And check out the article that is mentioned: "Why Women Love Herbert Marshall."  I need to read that, because I never saw Marshall as a babe magnet.  A nice guy, fine actor, but ...

No, Bette Did Not Put a Curse on Joan**

The opening scene of Riptide (1934), wherein Herbert Marshall appears in a rather amazing "bug" costume, is, well, on the bizarre side.  But it is funny. 

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937), has its own bizarre sequence.  Everyone is at a charity auction and a fierce bidding takes place for a doll with an almost spooky likeness of Mrs. Cheyney, Ms. Crawford, of course.  Now, I am not sure what adults do with lifelike dolls, for the most part, but Lord Dilling (Dill/Bob) is the winner, as seen here observing his new treasure.  Makes me shudder a bit.

       Bob and Joan Crawford, sort of, in The Last of Mrs. Cheyney

There was also a doll in the likeness of Dill/Bob.  Wonder what happened to it after the movie?   I don't have a doll collection, but ...

**Maybe not from trying.  Actually, in 1937 it would more likely have been Norma Shearer!

Do I Really Have to Say it

Bob or Herbert Marshall.  Let's see...

         Bob, Norma Shearer, and Herbert Marshall in Riptide (1934)

Watch Norma agonize over that choice this coming Thursday at 9:00 a.m. PST on TCM.  

What is a Riptide?

An alternate universe wherein:  pigs fly;  a deserving performer is never overlooked in the Oscar In Memoriam segment; and Norma Shearer chooses Herbert* Marshall over Robert Montgomery. 

                                        Riptide (1934)

* Corrected...did I REALLY type George instead of Herbert?!   Sorry, Herb.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, No Matter the Language!

"Rus" or "Riptide" in Danish.  The herald is small, only 4-1/2" x 6", but there are 8 pages and 6 of them have photos.  Norma is featured on the cover, of course. 

Will try to translate captions with help from Google.  I think I'm close.

"Mary, wouldn't it be wonderful to live life fully?"

   

Mary, what are you trying to hide?  (Hey, Herbert, take a look to your right!)

 And, my favorite.  There is a whole fantastic series of photos like this, I hadn't seen this one before.   Just love the look Bob is giving Norma.