Happy Birthday, Mr. Montgomery!

 And what better way for Bob to celebrate his birthday then with friends (maybe family) at a hot new nightclub.  He would have enjoyed that.  This photo was not a birthday celebration, however.  It was taken in August 1940 at Ciro's, which was a hot new nightclub.  And they all are friends.  The occasion is a fundraiser for War Relief.   

The attendees are from left to right:  Bob, holding court; Pat Paterson, Mrs. Boyer; Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.; an unknown lady; and the back of Mary Lee, Mrs. Fairbanks.

 

 On the other side of the table are Charles Boyer; Betty Montgomery, partially hidden by Boyer's glass; and a very tall unknown gentleman.  

Since I don't recognize the lady at the far end of the table, nor the gent across from her, I'm going to take a wild guess ... how about Bob's brother Don and his wife.  Two of the few things I know about the brother are that he was taller than bob, by at least a couple inches, and he was in L.A. at least during the war when he handled Bob's businesses.  Like I said, just a fun guess.  

Anyway, for those of us not planning to go out on the town today, TCM has four Bob movies available for streaming at present:  Riptide, until June 5th; The Divorcee and The Easiest Way, until June 14th; and They Were Expendable, until June 15th.  Not a bad selection.  Just think, next year we'll be able to watch our Letty Lynton DVD!!!!

Clippings from the Vault ...

 Were Bob and Betty ever that young?

Sorry, Loretta, but it was simply Maureen's role.  

"Robert Montgomery couldn't find words with which to thank Bette Davis for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Red Cross, but his expression was enough."

Oh, sure, that's exactly what the two are talking about ... 

Happy 121st Birthday Mr. Montgomery!!

 121 years ago ... my.  

Thought I'd share a pair of photographs taken in the early 1950s of Bob and Buffy vacationing in Zermatt, Switzerland, the small town at the base of the Matterhorn.  Great photos, great subjects and a wonderful setting.  Both Bob and Buffy look to be happy, Buffy with her big smile and Bob with a slight grin and eyes almost closed because he has placed his sunglasses on top of his head for the photograph.  One can imagine the glare from the sun in that snowy landscape.  

Bob was an avid and excellent skier, taking two-weeks' vacation most every February throughout the 1950s for sure.  Do take note of the near absence of people in this fantastic location.  There are 2 adults and a child behind the pair, you can partially see them behind Bob's right arm.  And that's it.  (Oh, yes, there is a photographer.)  Just amazing.  

Just a lovely couple.

And one handsome dude.  Those baby blues needed sunglasses in the bright sunlight.  And he is perfectly attired for the sport, as always.  

This second photograph was taken at the same spot, only the subjects have been distracted and are now looking away from the camera.  They have also created a space between them.  In the first photo their bodies are actually touching!  Egads.  

Bob plays King of the Hill!  

Buffy, always the pleasant-looking lady with a great smile.  

Dug up this photograph of Bob taken January 17, 1938 in Sun Valley.  Note the sunglasses propped on his forehead.  

A quick reminder of the seven-movie marathon showing on TCM today. The May 15th post lists the movies being shown.  Well, Happy Birthday, Robert.  Now, to decide which movies to watch, always a difficult task.  

And Bob Came as Himself? Let's See...A Tux and a Smile...Why, it's Robert Montgomery!

 "One of the most colorful Hollywood parties was given recently by Donald Ogden Stewart, M.G.M. writer, and Mrs. Stewart.  Here is shown Robert Montgomery as himself; Mrs. Montgomery as Joan Crawford; Director Elliot Nugent as Tom Mix; and Mrs. Nugent as Lilyan Tashman."  

30 years together. They had a good run.

Okay, so I have no information about this photo.  I'll guess Buffy and Bob are in their mid-60's.  Bob is wearing a tux so they're "out-on-the-town," maybe a nice dinner and a Broadway play.  Buffy with a pleasant smile, as always.  Wonder what's caught Bob's attention.  And why the floppy bowtie, Mr. Montgomery?  Really.  Otherwise, a good-looking couple who apparently enjoyed each other's company.  Good for them.  

The Third Elizabeth Montgomery in Bob's Life

An interview with Elizabeth (Liz) Montgomery, as it appeared in the August 19-25, 1962 issue of  TV Guide.  

Rrrrff.

 Yeah...I can see what Elizabeth saw in him.  

                                               Gig Young

And What Was Bob Up To 79 Years Ago?

 VISITORS FROM HOLLYWOOD ...... NEW YORK ...... Back in "civvies" ex-Lieutenant Commander Robert Montgomery, movie star who served in the navy during the war, is shown with Mrs. Montgomery as they attended a party in the Cub Room of the Stork Club.  10.18.45

Poor Betty, still uncomfortable in front of a camera after 15 years. 

 

26 Miles Across the Sea, Santa Catalina is A-Waitin' for Me

FILM COUPLE ON YACHTING TRIP  --- Mr. and Mrs. Robert Montgomery, of the Hollywood Film Colony, shown on a yachting party off Santa Catalina Island, Calif.

A family-rated yachting party off Santa Catalina ... that's a new twist.  Bob and Betty appear to be enjoying theirs.  I'm just a smidge envious.  

Bob Takes to the Air!

Bob, Burt Allenburg (a Hollywood agent), and Walter Pidgeon share a laugh at the Polo matches.  I am all for the way people would dress to attend sporting events, or most any public occasion.  Note Walter's boutonniere.  Classy.

It is 1945 and Robert Montgomery takes to the air on CBS, probably Lux Theater.  And it is a color photo!  You can just see the blue eyes.  

"Costume partying is a good old Hollywood custom.  Robert Montgomery, pleased as punch in his Scotch kilts, gallantly assists the Mrs."  Why do I think Bob is not wearing a rental. 

"I'm hoping for the best!" And Then Came WWII

The following article is from the October, 1939 issue of "Movie" magazine.  It is one of the longest articles on Bob, but worth the effort.  Really.  Besides, it appears Bob is actually being interviewed for it.  

 

Fun tidbit from the same issue:

The Young Squire with Pipe and Book

 Classy home for the young classy Gentleman.  A built-in bookcase with wood framing ... now that you just do not see these days.  And the real wood chair with the tapestry covering.  Really nice stuff.  (As is the center of attention, of course!)  

At least the books are overflowing the bookcase.  Normal people have that problem as well.  The middle shelf is full of knick knacks that even with an enlarged photo I could not determine just what they were.  There is a rather short candle and holder, for emergency lighting I'm assuming.  And some metal critter that may be an ashtray.  Ah, yes, back in the day when men smoked pipes and cigarettes and women stole puffs when no one was around.  

Picking Up Parental Skills Over the Years

 Bob looks a tad awkward holding a baby in this scene from War Nurse with co-star June Walker.  Of course, Betty was just pregnant with their first child during the filming, so Bob would be rather unexperienced dealing with babies.  The baby looks so large compared to the very diminutive Ms. Walker.  

                       Bob and  June Walker in War Nurse (1930)

Three decades later Bob looks and is an old hand at being around babies.  Here he is holding the real Robert Montgomery III, who is helping his grandfather celebrate his 55th birthday on the set of The Gallant Hours along with cast members Dennis Weaver and Mr. James Cagney.  One can only imagine the pieces of studio cake Bob and Jim had at on-the-set parties over the years.  

         Bob III, Bob, Dennis Weaver & James Cagney on the set of                                     The Gallant Hours (1960)

Train Travel ... Yes, I Remember That!

Two photos, taken within seconds of each other.  Too bad it's the second one that is fading away.  You can just see Betty's smile.  

 "Robert Montgomery as he arrived in New York with Mrs. Montgomery for a short vacation.  Montgomery is under long-term starring contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.  His most recent release was "The Mystery of Mr. X".  In "Riptide" Montgomery and Herbert Marshall both appear with Norma Shearer under the direction of Edmund Goulding."  

After Bob reminds Betty to smile for the camera man ...

Buy Me a White Sable and I'd Smile

Bob and Betty arriving at a premiere, Bob with tickets in hand and Betty looking stunning in a full length white sable coat.  I like the woman behind Bob to his right checking him out with a big grin.  

Have you noticed what is different about this photo compared to others when Betty's with Bob?  ....  She is not holding onto his left arm!  There is a zone of separation between the two.  And Betty is not smiling.   Hmm...  They were a different kind of couple.  

Does This Look Like an Older Bob car, or what?!

 The Bentley Continental coupe ... nice car.  Definitely would have stood out on the roadway in the 1950s, and on into the 1960s.  Yeah, I can see Bob and Buffy motoring back to the Hamptons after a weekend at their New York City apartment.  Or maybe headed to their estate near Millbrook, NY.  One might as well be comfortable doing all that driving.  

This is an advertisement postcard used by the auto service who refinished the car.  

And What Has Jr. Been Up To?

"Clockwise, beginning at 12:00 o'clock high, are Cathy Crosby, Theona Bryant, Randy Sparks, Mamie Van Doren, Robert Montgomery, Jr., Ziva Rodann and Woo Woo Grabowski, in a gay party sequence of "College Confidential," a stirring drama produced and directed by Albert Zugsmith for Universal-International release and starring Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Walter Winchell, Miss Van Doren, Mickey Shaughnessy, Miss Crosby, Herbert Marshall, Conway Twitty and Randy Sparks."

Skip (Bob, Jr.) probably expected a larger role in College Confidential (1960) then he ended up with, an uncredited role as "Boy."  College doesn't even rate as a "B" movie, but rather a "C" or maybe "D".  The IMDB rating is 4.8.  Not good.  The people who really should be embarrassed about their appearances are Herbert Marshall, Pamela Mason and Elisha Cook, Jr., three real actors, and Hollywood reporters Earl Wilson, Sheilah Graham and James Bacon, all of whom should have known better than take the money for such a gobbler.  

At least he got to cuddle up with Mamie Van Doren.  

I'm Guessing Jr. was the Really Nice Guy in the Family. He Just Looks it.

1929, And So Much Success Ahead

 A very young Bob and Betty Montgomery all decked out for an evening of merriment run into an MGM photographer who captures the moment for all time.  Wonder what the occasion was.  All we know is that they appear to be enjoying themselves.  The only information on the back of the photo is a type-written "Mr. & Mrs. Robert Montgomery."  MGM is indicated in the lower right corner.  Whatever, it is nice to see them both smiling.  

My, but yes, he is so young.  The MGM PR department usually managed to add the star's current or upcoming film in a photo description.  I'm wondering if they just didn't have a movie to add, like the Montgomery's are still new to L.A.  Let's give it a guess ... It's early 1929, they are at a popular nightclub, waiting for a table (Bob is a nobody at this time) and hoping to be seen by someone important.  At least the photographer knew he was somebody.