And Today's Birthday Boy is .......

 Gene Raymond, born August 13, 1908.  I rather enjoyed his performance as Jeff, best friend and law partner of David (our Bob) in Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941).  Loved the southern accent, befitting his role as the ultimate southern gentleman.  The scene on the Ferris wheel is just great.  And he was one handsome dude, beautiful blond and wavy hair.  He fit the role as Mr. Montgomery's competition for Carole Lombard quite well.    

 Gene Raymond, photo by Clarence S. Bull

Three other Birthday Boy and Girls from this week that need to be mentioned:  Norma Shearer was born August 10, 1902 and Lloyd Nolan (the copper in The Lady in the Lake) was born on August 11th, 1902.  Only one day separating the two.  And Ann Blyth is still among us, born August 16, 1927, making Ann 98 years of age!  Way to go, young lady.  You'll always be "The Killer" to me.  

Messrs Tully and Nolan Meant Business

 THEY MEAN BUSINESS......Tom Tully (left) and Lloyd Nolan, both detectives, prepare to make an arrest after a savage fight with a murder suspect in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Lady in the Lake".  The picturization of the exciting Raymond Chandler mystery story has Robert Montgomery as both star and director.  

               Tom Tully & Lloyd Nolan in Lady in the Lake (1946)

I've always liked Tom Tully.  (Hey, and Lloyd Nolan as well.)  Tully played the tough cop enough to earn retirement salary from the L.A. Police Department.  He also did a great job as Mr. Brinker in June Bride (1948).  The apple cider scene with he and Bob was just great, one of my all-time favorites.  

"Lady" is being shown on TCM starting March 8th.  

Audrey Gets Her Message Across

 These photos are from an article in the March 4, 1947 french magazine Cinevogue.  Love the series of Audrey Totter flirting with the camera, or should I say with Bob as Philip Marlowe in Lady in the Lake (1946).  Audrey did such a really good job in the movie, considering the trying circumstances.  Film actors were taught to never, ever look directly into the camera lens.  Overcoming that was difficult for an old pro like Lloyd Nolan. 

 

Future director Dick Powell stops by to say hi to new director Bob.  It's also one Philip Marlowe handing over the reigns to a new one.  Dick played the character in 1944's Murder My Sweet.  Nifty.

 

Bob directs Lloyd Nolan as Lt. DeGarmot. 

 

Bob wears his favorite hat from the post-WWII period ... perhaps not PC these days, but definitely snazzy in 1946.