A Strange Silence about Bob Montgomery

 This article was published July 26, 1936.  I obtained it as a clipping, do not have the name of the magazine, but it appears to be British.  Bob had slowed down his film career in 1935-36, rather enjoyed his 3-month vacations.  And then there was his illness (?), the Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) hassle, the Thalberg-Mayer war and Thalberg's death, Bob's SAG involvement, etc., etc., etc.  A lot of stress for everybody!  

It's the Mukluks & Fur Coat that make the Man!

 And a Happy Birthday remembrance of the wonderful character actor Mr. Reginald Owen!  Just love the man.  Totally impressed by his ability to create so many characters with relish, never short-changing the audience with an ill-prepared role.  

Mr. Owen was born August 5th, 1887 in England and died November 5th, 1972 in Boise, Idaho.  85, a good run.  

                      Reginald Owen in Petticoat Fever (1936)

List of Robert Montgomery movies Reginald appeared in:  Man in Possession (1931); Lovers Courageous (1932); Petticoat Fever (1936); Trouble for Two (1936); Three Loves Has Nancy (1938); Fast and Loose (1939) and Earl of Chicago (1940).  Seven Bob movies made better by the efforts of Mr. Owen.  Thank you, kind sir.

Bob in a Tux in Labrador ... Well, Why Not?!

 Poor Reginald Owen, in another movie being annoyed by Bob.  They played well together.  Owen was such a superb actor, he could make any role work.  There is another photo like this, but with only Bob on the steps.  Actually, when I first ran across this one, I saw only Bob.  Bob in a tux on a ladder ... really eye-catching.  

Bob and Reginald Owen in Petticoat Fever (1936)

Work can be downright fun (Don't tell Louis!)

Happy Longest Day of the Year!

 And it'll be a hot one for much of the country.  Time to search out movies about blizzards and being stuck in a cabin in the mountains without electricity.  Here in California it is the summer time overwhelmed power grid that causes a lack of electricity.  With temperatures in the 100s today, hubby and I will be spending a good portion of it on our pool rafts under umbrellas ... reading, napping, snacking.  And hoping it's not our turn to lose power overnight!

I'd choose Petticoat Fever (1936) as an attempt to cool me off.  Of course there was the complaint on the set that the stars were attired in too realistic outerwear.  Bob and Myrna were soaked through in their fur coats and mukluks.  But they suffered through it, with not a clue of their discomfort.  

         Reginald Owen, Bob & Myrna Loy in Petticoat Fever (1936)

Well, there is one slight thing the makeup people missed ... note the wet curls of hair sticking out under the top of Bob's furs.  Yeah, a bit on the hot side.  

Wearing Furs & Mukluks on a Movie Set - As Hot as Bakersfield on Labor Day!

 Ahhhh ... Dascom Dinsmore (great name!!) and Irene (Myrna) fall in love among the snow drifts and polar bears.  Great movie, great fun. 

Nice photo of the two lovers ... Bob's' at the center to include the sled as part of the setting.  Thought I'd edit it to focus on just the two.

 Yeah, that's better.

 A second trimming ... even better. 

 
 Third time is a charm ... perfect.  Fewer distractions.  Just two people discovering love.  Irene, you lucky lady.

Cold Weather Tips from Bob & Co.

 Oh, you poor souls in the Plains and Midwest!  Sub-freezing daytime temperatures, blowing snow, icy roads ... Aarrgh!   Perhaps Bob and Myrna and Madge and Bette can provide some tips to help you survive your cruel weather. 

 Bob takes time out from filming Petticoat Fever (1936) to model appropriate cold weather clothing.  Never leave home without a good pair of mukluks!

Myrna Loy joins Bob to model heavy fur coats with matching hoods.  Don't they look all warm and cozy...

If you have to drive somewhere in this frigid weather, please stay attentive.  Be sure and dress warmly should something happen, like driving your bus into a fierce snowstorm. 

                  Bob with Madge Evans in Fugitive Lovers (1934)

Of course, a friendly cuddle might be enough to keep you warm.

                    Bob with Bette Davis in June Bride (1948)

And the more the merrier!

Another Photo of the Beautiful Duo

 Or should I say Gorgeous Couple.  Yeah, that works.  In their prime, 31 and 30.  Well established stars.  Top of the World!  Hats off to both of you.

Ahhh...perfection!

Be Still My Foolish Heart

 Petticoat Fever (1936) starring Bob, Myrna Loy and Reginald Owen, is definitely one of my favs - makes me feel like a teenage girl when I sigh at the sight of Bob in full dress attire standing on the stairs.

Anyway, the trio is in Dascom's bedroom, Sir James (Owen) showing his disapproval of the whole situation.  Dascom (Bob) is staring at Sir James, wondering how he can get him out of the way and then win over Irene (Myrna).  Irene is simply bemused by it all.  

There is something else interesting about the photo.  Even in its 8 x 10 format, it's not immediately noted.  So I've enlarged a portion of the photo.

 Do you see it?

Kinda spooky catching Dascom in the mirror!

Belated Birthday Salutations to Ms. Loy

Sorry, Myrna.  Your birthday is the 2nd, of course.  I had you scheduled for Thursday, really I did.  Life just doesn't always work out the way you had planned it to.  I like this photo of you and Bob Montgomery, such a beautiful couple.  You gave such a good performance in Petticoat Fever (1936).  The movie is still such a delight to watch after all these years.  Thank you. 

Getting down to the basics of the photo ... a great head shot. 

Ah, the ice flows of Culver City

The following review of Petticoat Fever (1936) is found in the March 25, 1936 issue of Liberty magazine.  I know, reviews can be a real snore, but this is one of the good ones.  The byline goes to (Ms) Beverly Hills, which should give you a clue. 

And for a change of subject, we all remembered July 15 is Tax Day ... right?!

Should I look so good with a fever!

Maybe it was the 108 degrees high today, but I feel just lousy.  Next week will be better.  Enjoy your weekend!

               Bob and Reginald Owen in Petticoat Fever (1936)

"I want you to stop meddling with my fiancee!"

... exclaims Sir James Felton (Reginald Owen) to Dascom Dinsmore (Bob) as Irene (Myrna Loy) watches in surprise in Petticoat Fever (1936).  A fun movie.  I bet it was a roaring success at the "Tavern Casino" on Friday! 

TCM will be showing Petticoat this Wednesday at 5:00 a.m. EST.  I don't know that I'd be able to make that show time, so I am hoping they show it on demand later.  You can see Night Flight (1933) on demand today, and Rage in Heaven (1941) through Friday.  And three move Bob movies will be shown this Month:  Lady in the Lake (1947) on the 14th; Hide-out (1934) on the 17th; and Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) on the 18th.  That's a lot of Montgomery all in one month!  And so many are my favorites, and I would imagine yours as well.

None of Bob's movies are scheduled on TCM for his birthday on the 21st.  That's kind of a let down after showing nine movies last year.  Six of his better movies in the weeks before will just have to do.

Dascom Dinsmore ... Really?

Bob and Myrna, a great pairing.  In a totally enjoyable movie.  Nicely captured on print.  Just makes you want to smile.  Enjoy your day!

                   Myrna Loy and Bob in Petticoat Fever (1936)

Hoping Everyone is Warm & Cozy!

Oops!  Thanks to Debbie for checking in on me.  One of the few drawbacks of being retired, forgetting what day of the week it is! 

Thinking of Summering in Labrador

The average annual temperatures in Makkovik, Labrador:  High 37 and Low 22.  I'm booking a flight tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, at the MGM studios in Los Angeles in 1936, the temperature under the massive lights of the set is soaring.  And Bob and Myrna are dressed like Labradorian natives, drowning in sweat no doubt.  Check out Bob's hair in the photos below.  In all that heat, his hair is a match for his fur collar. 

The photo is a publicity shot for Petticoat Fever (1936), with Bob in the lead role of Dascom Dinsmore.  Fun movie.  Great stage name. 

ALERT!! 5:00 p.m. PST, Tuesday on TCM

Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy in finalmente una donna! 

... or "Finally a Woman", not as romantic as Petticoat Fever (1936). 

Bob And Mukluks ... God's Gifts To Us All

It is Monday, January 20th, 1936.  Mr. Montgomery is scheduled to begin his 36th movie in seven years.  7 years of very long days under the extremely hot lights of the time.  7 years of photo shoots, rehearsals, wardrobe tests and being polite to VIP visitors to the set.  And it is another comedy ... but at least the script is decent and good pal Myrna Loy will be suffering through it with him. Wearing outdoorsy clothing instead of the usual tux, not bad.  But furry mukluks?  What, you think this is funny?  You have no idea how close you are to having the camera shoved into your face! 

                   Robert Montgomery in Petticoat Fever (1936)

I just love this photo.  It is Mr. Montgomery without any pretense.  He is not playing a role, nor is he wearing a face for public viewing.  It is Bob, the hard-working actor, not particularly happy about where he is at the moment, daring anyone to push him any further.  Snarly.  And he can't help it, but so extremely handsome with his tousled locks, day's growth of facial hair and glaring blue eyes!  I have been using this cropped photo as my wallpaper for some time now.  Thanks, Mr. Montgomery, for making my day.

The Very, Very High Temps Continue

... and that means another monstrous headache.  Moving to Alaska sounds good right now.  Hey, might run into Bob as he floats by on his large chunk of ice.  (Mr. Montgomery had to have enjoyed posing for this one, as did everyone on the set, I'd imagine!)

                                 Petticoat Fever (1936)

Yes, Reggie ... It's Petticoat Fever!

I believe Audrey Totter deserved a special award for all the looks she gave Bob in Lady in the Lake (1947), and many of them were of the sneer variety as pictured below.  (I would have found it very difficult to sneer at Mr. Montgomery!)  You can check out all those great looks of hers when the movie is shown on TCM tomorrow (March 10th) at 1:30 p.m. PST.  She really did have a difficult role to play with all the "odd" cinematography. 

                 Bob and Audrey Totter in Lady in the Lake (1946)

Speaking of difficult roles, playing the straight man between Bob and Myrna Loy must have been a challenge for Reginald Owen.  Of course, he did have the experience for the role, having previously lost the girl to Bob in The Man in Possession (1931).  You can catch Petticoat Fever (1936) on TCM this coming Tuesday (March 14) at 9:00 a.m. PDT (It will be daylight time then, right?  Please don't rely fully on my airing times!) 

                Bob and Reginald Owen in Petticoat Fever (1936)

These are two of the four Bob movies shown by TCM this month, two to three times more than the usual number of showings!  My position is that more is always better, particularly favorites such as Petticoat.  Four cheers for TCM!  (If only they would pull Letty Lynton (1932) out of its legal morass and give that beautiful movie back to Bob's and Joan's fans, while we're still around to appreciate it!)