Clark, Leslie & Elizabeth (Jr.): One Odd Trio

 Bob talking rather emphatically about ... oh, maybe the war, or working on a John Ford set, or returning to the hassle of life at the studio, or ... 

Robert Montgomery visits Clark Gable in his dressing room.  Bob is wrapping up studio shots for his first film since returning from the war, They Were Expendable (1945), and Clark is at work on his first movie, Adventure (1945).  

Bob looks adoringly at daughter Elizabeth.  One of their more peaceful moments, I gather.  

Hot Screen Lovers, 1932 Version

How not to disagree.  British magazine "Picturegoer" published a supplemental with full page photos of 1932's noted screen lovers, and placed a photo of Bob and Joan Crawford from Letty Lynton on its cover.  Yes, yes.  Bob and Joan were the hot couple for the year. 

James Cagney and Joan Blondell are featured.  I love both, but I view them as a "good friends" couple, as they were off screen as well.

I don't feel any heat coming off this couple, either.   Understandable, since Norma Shearer has the hots for Fredric March in the movie Smilin' Through, not Leslie Howard.   Need to check out that movie again.

Lucky Kay Francis ... jewels AND Bill Powell.  For myself, jewels would not be necessary.

Now this is hot. Sizzling.  Joel McCrea and Fay Wray in The Most Dangerous Game.  Get this couple a bucket of ice water!

Jack Oakie was an excellent comedic actor, master of the "triple take".  Before his weight gain, he had serious roles as well.  Bit of a handsome dude at this stage.  But, all the same, it is difficult to see him and Miriam Hopkins as hot lovers. 

1932.  Handsome men and sexy ladies.  And it was all pre-code.  Hot. 

In Glorious Black & White

Fan magazines of the 1930s were worth every penny of the 5 to 15 cents they cost ... then.  80 years later, they cost a tad more, and are most often worth it ... plenty of gossip, stories about the stars (with the occasional bit of truth) and some really nifty photos. 

                        Leslie Howard by Edward Steichen, 1934

Cary Grant, Gertrude Michael and Claude Rains, promo shot for "The Last Outpost" (1935).  Photo by William Wallinger. 

                              Phillip Reed, by Steichen, 1935