When you can't afford the originals ...

Think Small, Think Trade cards

   Ann Harding, Myrna Loy, Alice Brady and Bob in When Ladies Meet 

               Bob and Rosalind Russell in Night Must Fall (1937)

            Bob, Roz and Alan Dinehart in Fast and Loose (1939)

And, when you definitely do not have the extra money for an original Hurrell, try this trade card.

       Bob, Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone in No More Ladies (1935)

The Unguarded Hour with Roz?

Errr...Bob did not make "The Unguarded Hour" with Roz or anyone else.  I'm sure the studio had that planned for him when the article was written, but ...  Bob made Petticoat Fever (1936) with Myrna Loy when he returned from his extended vacation in 1935 and then Trouble for Two (1936) with Roz.  The Unguarded Hour was made by the studio, starring Franchot Tone and Loretta Young.  Personally, I am quite happy he made Petticoat Fever instead.  

What a Way to Treat an Original Hurrell!

Every once in a while, I get very lucky and pick up an original Hurrell.  Even a Montgomery collector (hoarder) like me has spending limits, so obtaining one at a good price is always a thrill for me.  I ran across this photograph taken for No More Ladies (1935) about a year ago.  No thrills since ... 

Just love the clarity of an original print.  One can enlarge a part of it and the clarity is retained.

And if you have a really good print ... yeah, this is a good one.

And if you need further validation, there's always that Hurrell M.G.M stamp on the back.  The ink has faded; it is barely readable.  The green stamp on the lower left corner is by the council set up to make sure everything produced by the studios passed code.  Which explains the holes punched at the top of the photograph.  Many of those photographs were kept in two-hole binders.  What a way to treat an original Hurrell!

Always an Arthur Treacher Fan ... and Charley Ruggles ... and Edna May Oliver

 This is a review of No More Ladies (1935) which appeared in the July 26, 1935 issue of "The Family Circle" magazine.  It is an interesting read.  The movie (and the reviewer) may be more toned down than a comparable pre-code affair, but it is far from your basic 1950s/early 1960s Doris Day movie.  (From Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery to a Doris Day/Rock Hudson movie.  Isn't censorship just grand!)  

What a Shame to Hide that Beautiful Curly Hair (Bob's, of course)

 A couple Bob and Norma movies today on TCM.  Their Own Desire (1929) is showing at 11:15 a.m. and Riptide (1934) at 2:00 p.m., both ET.  Hopefully they'll be included on the streaming service afterwards, as has No More Ladies (1935) after its one showing last Monday.  Lady in the Lake (1946) is also being shown.  Four Bob movies available to view, not bad for these days. 

                Bob and Norma Shearer, Their Own Desire (1929)
 

3 Bobs to help with the Summer Doldrums

TCM is showing three Bob movies this week ... very good.  The three are good studies of the growth of Mr. Montgomery as a movie actor.  In Love in the Rough (1930) Bob is still inexperienced.  By No More Ladies (1935), he is a very accomplished performer, the playboy role is definitely mastered.  To top it off, Bob is superb in They Were Expendable (1945).  Just superb.
 


           Wed. 22nd at 10:30 a.m. EST - Love in the Rough (1930)
           Thurs. 23rd at 12:15 p.m. EST - No More Ladies (1935)
           Fri. 24th at 3:30 p.m. EST - They Were Expendable (1945) 
                         

No More Ladies ... But Why?

Well, yes, I do have to admit it is just great to have an original Hurrell or two in my Bob collection.  That stamp on the back is nice, and the photos themselves are ever so nice. 

      Robert Montgomery & Joan Crawford in No More Ladies (1935)

But, sometimes that stamp and/or the embossed name on front gets in the way of my obtaining a Bob photo that I would ever so much love to have.  And that is indeed frustrating.  This week a photo of a very young Mr. Montgomery was auctioned for $180!!  Lordy, but I so could not afford that.  Now if it hadn't had that darn stamp, I might have been able to stay in the bidding.  Sigh.  It was a gorgeous portrait.  I do hope the winner is a Bob fan, not just a Hurrell buyer, so it can be truly appreciated for a long time. 

Bob, Joan, Franchot, George & Adrian

September is a big month for Bob movies on TCM, five movies in total.  That's a lot these days.  Two of his movies with Joan Crawford will be shown in the wee early hours of Friday, Our Blushing Brides (1930) and No More Ladies (1935).  Ladies produced some great publicity stills, with the always wonderful photography of George Hurrell, and aided by Ms. Crawford's gown by Adrian.

            Bob, Joan and Franchot Tone in No More Ladies (1935)

The photo below was not taken by Hurrell ... but, it is, well, interesting.

No More Ladies ... Just Joan! ***

For you early risers, TCM is showing No More Ladies (1935) this morning at 10:30 ET/7:30 PT.  It is definitely not one of Bob's better movies, a waste of a good cast.  If nothing else, there is the opportunity to simply watch Bob, one of my favorite pastimes!  There are some nifty publicity shots of Bob and Joan, and Bob, Joan and Franchot Tone.  In this photo, I like the way Bob and Joan are definitely not looking longingly into each other's eyes.  It probably sums up their relationship.

                 Bob and Joan Crawford in No More Ladies (1935)

*** Oh, I know that's not very nice, but I just couldn't help myself!

Happy Birthday, Joan!

Bob and Joan Crawford ... a pairing on the screen that progressed from young and adorable in Untamed (1929) to ever so handsome in The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937).  The camera loved both stars and captured a connection between the two that flattered them both.  For the lack of a better description, they simply had "IT" when sharing the screen.   
 

                                        Untamed (1929)

I have not always been a big fan of Ms. Crawford, but always, always had a great admiration and respect for her.  To come from such a tough environment and, yet, somehow manage to become one of the most famous and highest-paid women in the entire world ... whoa, impressive.  So much determination, drive, hard work, talent and whatever else it took for Lucille LeSeuer of San Antonio, Texas, to become Joan Crawford ... if I had only had 1/10th of that mix!

                              The Last of Mrs. Cheney (1937)

Bob and Joan also co-starred in Our Blushing Brides (1930), Letty Lynton (1932), Forsaking All Others (1934), and No More Ladies (1935).  Hey, Joan's birthday today sounds like a great excuse to watch one of their movies.  Let's see, I could once again strain my eyes watching my blurry copy of Letty Lynton (but oh so worth it!) or, maybe, enjoy the youthful exuberance of Untamed.  Decisions, decisions ... 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'll have to say that snarfing up leftovers is my favorite part of the day's festivities.  The rather hectic day has almost concluded, the bird/pie/side dish was/or wasn't once again a success and I have had time to rest my aching feet.  No more shopping for the meal, hurrying out to get that one essential item I've overlooked.  Sheer relief that I have survived, plenty of cold turkey as my reward.  Fortifying myself for the Christmas onslaught!

Bob and 18 Beautiful Ladies

A lot of nifty Bob photos ... I'm partial to the Three Live Ghosts (1929) photo with Joan Bennett.  I find it rather remarkable the number of stills that have survived from this independently produced movie, yet the movie itself no longer exists.  Wouldn't it be great to be able to see Bob's first screen appearance.  (Yes, I know he is in The Single Standard (1929) as an uncredited "Party Boy."  But dancing in the background is not exactly acting, although it's fun to watch him if only for 30 seconds or so!) 

In the photo above with Joan Crawford (No More Ladies), I'm guessing Bob's standing in a hole.  In the photo below with Rosalind Russell (Trouble for Two) it's probably vice versa ...

Bob Treed by Stalking Fans

                                The Mystery of Mr. X (1934)

Five Bob movies in January!  And some that have not been shown recently.  Very good.  Here's the schedule for TCM, all times EST.

      Jan. 11th at 8:00 p.m.     -   Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)

      Jan. 13th at 11:30 a.m.   -  Three Loves Has Nancy (1938)

      Jan. 22nd at 3:30 p.m.   -   No More Ladies (1935)

      Jan. 29th at 8:15 a.m.    -   The Mystery of Mr. X (1934)

      Jan. 29th at 12:15 p.m.  -  Haunted Honeymoon (1940)
                          

What's Better Than One Montgomery? SEVEN!!

                                          Untamed (1929)

Well, are we all thoroughly satiated and exhausted ... ready to face more goodies and celebration on New Years Eve?  Hope Santa was good to you, no coal in the stocking at least!  Santa's gift to me came in the form of the TCM Now Playing Guide.  Joan Crawford is the featured star for January and they are showing all five of the movies she made with Bob!!  And if that prospect was not good enough, they have included two more Bob movies, Lady in the Lake and Private Lives.  It is just a great way to start off the year, 2014 is already better than 2013 has been, for me anyway.  Thought I would list them for you, as an aid to remembering to spend several delightful hours with Bob and Joan, Bob and Audrey and Bob and Norma.   All times given are PST. 

         Jan. 2  - 9:00 p.m., Our Blushing Brides (1930)

         Jan. 3  - 8:00 a.m., Untamed (1929)

         Jan. 6  - 3:00 p.m., Lady in the Lake (1947)

         Jan. 9  - 10:30 p.m., Forsaking All Others ( 1934)

         Jan. 10- 8:30 a.m., No More Ladies (1935)

         Jan. 10- 3:15 p.m., The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937)

         Jan. 23- 7:45 a.m., Private Lives (1931)

Enjoy! 

Need Your Help (Part Deux)

               No More Ladies (1935) with Bob, Joan and Franchot

The photo cries out for a clever caption, but my mind is blank.  Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.  (Well, I thought of one or two, but, keeping in mind that this is a "family friendly" blog ...)

Trivia for the Day:  On this day in 1928, "Possession" opened at the Booth Theatre in New York City.  This was Bob's last appearance on Broadway.  By January of 1929, Bob has signed his contract with MGM ... one smart move.

Happy Birthday, Joan!

Almost forgot...Joan would not be pleased.  (Yes, Carrie, the memory goes...)

Remember this scene from No More Ladies?
 

The following photo still is of Bob and Joan on the same set waiting for the filming to begin.

 

They may have had a rather 'cool' relationship, but they were great together on film.

No More Ladies Ad

From Screenland, July 1935

A big thank you to Kathy for the find!

Happy Thanksgiving

 

On the set of No More Turkeys.
Remember to enjoy the leftovers. It's the best part.

April Warner Archive Releases

Doing a small dance of joy here: the Warner Archive has just released No More Ladies and Their Own Desire to DVD.

Ladies has to be one of my all-time favorites. 1930's socialites, dressed to the nines, partying and drinking as they like. I feel guilty just watching it.

No More . . . Filmclips

I was going to post a YouTube clip of one of my fav. scenes from No More Ladies. Alas, the copyright police beat me to it. Instead, use your imagination with some space-filling picspam: