So Clear Your Busy Schedules on May 21 and Watch Some Bob!

 Gorgeous photo.  As is the subject!  

                      By Hurrell for Blondie of the Follies (1932)

TCM has come through with a seven-movie Montgomery marathon for his birthday!  Mr. Montgomery would have appreciated that.   

 The list of movies with show times in PDT:

                 6:00 a.m. Piccadilly Jim (1936)

                 8:00 a.m. The Last of Mrs. Cheney (1937)

                10:00 a.m. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)

                12:00 p.m. They Were Expendable (1945)

                2:30 p.m. Night Must Fall (1937)***

                4:30 p.m. When Ladies Meet (1933)

                6:00 p.m. The Lady in the Lake (1946)

*** The TCM schedule lists the 1964 version of Night Must Fall.  I do hope someone catches that error!  

When Ladies Meet is the only pre-code movie.  This is a collection of Bob movies wherein he has developed into an excellent actor.  From a dramatic thriller (Night Must Fall), to a screwball comedy (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), to a dramatic war movie (They Were Expendable), Mr. Montgomery simply excelled.

And, yes, the photograph does not match up with the rest of the post. But ain't it sweet!

Review: "He gives a swell performance." Not exactly Pauline Kael...

 A look at the October, 1936 issue of Movie Mirror ... Let's see, a one-page feature on Piccadilly Jim (1935) and a friendly review.  Nice photo of Bette Davis on the cover.  

The print on the article is much too small to read, so:  "Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans are so happy to be together again in "Piccadilly Jim."  It's a real mutual admiration society, for Bob is Madge's leading man and Madge is Bob's choice among leading ladies.  Right now, Bob's all excited about his big chance in his next picture, "Night Must Fall," which will be entirely different from anything he's done before---and, if it can be arranged, Madge will be in that film with him, too.!"

Actually, Bob's next movie will be The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937) and, no, Madge would not have worked out in Roz Russell's role as Olivia in Night Must Fall.  The casting is perfect as is.  

As for non-Bob coverage in the magazine, I rather like this photo of Joan Blondell and Dick Powell.  A cute couple.  

And the back cover ... Cigarette companies certainly advertised a lot in the 1930s.  This is a good example of their expertise at selling products.    

What's Better than Bob? Six Bobs ....

Good month for Bob on TCM.  There are six movies coming and going, all of them in the better Robert Montgomery films group.  

Two movies are almost through their showing.  Private Lives (1931) ends on the 21st and Piccadilly Jim (1936) the 23rd.  The Divorcee (1930) will be shown until May 1st.  The Man in Possession (1931) is just being shown this morning.  Hope it gets a long run.  Everybody should see the role just made for the young Mr. Montgomery.  He handles it so well.  And an excellent cast simply makes this movie a gem of pre-code Hollywood.  Cheers for Charlotte Greenwood, Irene Purcell, Reginald Owen, C. Aubrey Smith and Beryl Mercer.  

And two more movies will "open" in April:  Lady in the Lake (1946) on the 20th and Night Must Fall (1937) on the 30th.  And everybody should see these two movies ... Mr. Montgomery's passions.  

Some great viewing!  Enjoy.  

Norma, Joan and Madge ... What, No Roz?!

 TCM has three Bob movies available for streaming: 

    Private Lives (1931) through April 21st; 

    The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937) through April 1st; and  

    Piccadilly Jim (1936) through April 23rd. 

Not bad choices, and plenty of time to work them all in before they expire.  I have a special spot for Private Lives, which has several great scenes.  The photograph below shows Amanda and Elyot in a quiet moment before The Great Fight!!  That must have been fun for Norma and Bob, certainly a break from the serious love making they were usually asked to do.

            Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery in Private Lives

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!  

Bob & Madge - They Worked Well Together

   The studio released a goodly number of publicity stills like this one for Piccadilly Jim (1936).  I'm not sure if it was Bob who had the puffy face, or if it was the photographer who did a rather strange touch-up job.   All in all this photo with Madge Evans came out rather well.

This publicity photo of Madge Evans on the set of Piccadilly Jim is rather unique ... Bob isn't in it!!  

July 1st is Ms. Evan's Birthday. Happy 114th Birthday, Madge!

And this year's Oscar for Best Drinking Buddy goes to ...

Robert Benchley!!!  And Happy Birthday, Robert!  I know, it's actually Sept. 15th, but if I change days for the blog, I get all confused.  You know how that is, don't you Mr. Benchley.  Cheers to you, my friend. 

                  Bob & Robert Benchley in Piccadilly Jim (1936)
 

For those of you reading this early enough, please be advised Three Loves Has Nancy (1938) is showing on TCM at 3:00 p.m. ET.  

Time to Prepare for the Celebration!

Okay, everyone, mark this on your calendar!!  Bob's birthday is next Thursday, the 21st, and TCM will be showing eight (yes, 8!) of his movies!!  Unfortunately (for me, anyway), it is a daytime marathon, so get those DVR's ready.  The movies are as follows (ET):

                     6:30 a.m.  Yellow Jack (1938)
                     8:00 a.m.  Fugitive Lovers (1934)
                     9:30 a.m.  Hide-Out (1934)
                   11:00 a.m.  Piccadilly Jim (1936)
                   12:45 p.m.  Ever Since Eve (1937)
                     2:15 p.m.  Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)
                     4:00 p.m.  Night Must Fall (1937)
                     6:00 p.m.  Lady in the Lake (1946)

It has been some time since I saw Yellow Jack and Fugitive Lovers, so they will be my 'must sees' this year.  Bob is ever so handsome in Fugitive Lovers.  Rrrff!

                  Bob and Madge Evans in Fugitive Lovers (1934)

Now Frank Looked Good in a Mustache ... But Not Bob

Happy Birthday to a favorite, Frank Morgan.  Great actor, nice guy.

 --- Mr. Morgan was born Francis Wuppermann on June 1, 1890, in New York City.  His best early career move was changing his name.  He was the youngest of 11 children, poor Mrs. Wuppermann wth all those little Wuppermann's running around.  (Yeah, I love that name!)

--- Frank was a member of the "Irish Mafia" in Hollywood.  Evidently he was adopted by Cagney, O'Brien, Tracy, and the other Irishmen, since he was of Spanish, German and English heritage.  However, being an alcoholic who carried his own mini-bar in a briefcase to the studio with him, he fit in quite well with the others.

--- He appeared in four of Bob's films; When Ladies Meet (1933), Trouble for Two (1936), Piccadilly Jim (1936) and The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937).  He competed with Bob for the same lady in Ladies and Cheyney, and was Bob's father in Piccadilly.  Note, the last three movies were in a row for Bob, Frank made others as well.  That's a lot of time spent together, hope they were friends!

Being Picky About Piccadilly Jim

It took me a while to appreciate the publicity stills taken for Piccadilly Jim (1936).  At 32 and 27 respectively, Bob and Madge are not exactly over-the-hill, but the camera is a demanding and fickle friend.  I think what bothers me most about the photos is the work done on Bob's face.  It has been completely smoothed out, not a trace of wrinkles or hair follicles.  Top that off with a tad bit of weight gain - after being on vacation for six months! - adding a slight puffiness to his cheeks, and, well, you have a different looking Mr. Montgomery.  Still good, of course, but ... maybe if they had just let a wrinkle or two show. 

                 Bob and Madge Evans in Piccadilly Jim (1936)

And poor Madge, having to wear that floppy shouldered top with the massive corsage.  An overwhelming outfit, and not in a good way. 

Happy Birthday, Mr. Benchley!

I just have to smile every time I think of Robert Benchley.  A funny, funny man.  He graced two of Bob's movies:  Live, Love and Learn (1937) and Piccadilly Jim (1936).  This photo was taken in 1944, a year before his death at the young age of 56.  One too many martinis. 

              Robert Benchley b. Sept. 15, 1899; d. Nov. 21, 1945.

Robert shows his acting chops in this scene from Live, Love and Learn. 

A Happy Birthday goes out to my big brother who share's Mr. Benchley's birthday, and is almost as funny.  Well, in his own way ....

Four Days To Go For Bob's Day on TMC

Don't Forget!!  Bob's Day on TMC is this coming Monday, August 22nd.  14 of his movies, just great.  And they have done a very good job in their selections.  I would wish they had included Petticoat Fever (1936), Bob at his prime in a delightful romp with Myrna Loy, and Once More, My Darling (1949), older Bob poking fun at his movie career and reputation as a ladies man on the screen.  But, hey, there are only 24 hours in a day.  Next time, right TMC?!  When you also bring Letty Lynton back to the screen where it belongs!! 

The first seven movies shown are in chronological order, starting with The Divorcee (1929), one of the five movies he made with Norma Shearer that gave him such a boost to his career.  It is certainly understandable why Norma would chose the 25-year-old Bob for a fling, to get back at Chester Morris.  
 

                        The Divorcee (1929) with Norma Shearer

The Man in Possession is just a delightful pre-code romp, straight to the bedroom and torn undergarments.  A definite must see if you haven't already. 

                  The Man in Possession (1931) with Irene Purcell

In a more serious vein, Bob is injured in an auto accident and spends much of his screen time in bed in Faithless.  It is very much Tallulah Bankhead's movie, with Bob looking ever so handsome as her near death husband. 

                       Faithless (1932) with Tallulah Bankhead

When Ladies Meet is an ensemble movie, with Ann Harding and Myrna Loy in the primary roles, given great support by Alice Brady, Frank Morgan and, of course, our Bob.  It is a tad chatty, but quite interesting, especially for the time. 

  When Ladies Meet (1933) with Myrna Loy, Alice Brady, Ann Harding       and Frank Morgan

The Mystery of Mr. X is a refreshing change for Bob.  He portrays a jewel thief who tracks down a mysterious murderer, even disguising himself as a Bobbie while chasing Mr. X in an exchange of gunfire.  The movie is not shown very often, so have your DVR ready. 

                                The Mystery of Mr. X (1934)

One of my all time favorite movies is Hide-Out.  Bob and Maureen make an incredibly cute couple.  Such a delightful movie.  This movie calls out for a sequel.  We need to find out just what happens to Lucky and Pauline!

                       Hide-Out (1934) with Maureen O'Sullivan

Piccadilly Jim is the fifth and last of the movies Bob makes with Madge Evans, a great co-star for Bob.  I have always thought it would be great to see them together in a movie made near the end of Bob's career.  It is difficult for me to imagine older Bob with Norma Shearer or Joan Crawford.  Anyway, any movie with Eric Blore is worth watching. 

                           Piccadilly Jim (1936) with Eric Blore

 I'm running out of gas here ...  hopefully, I'll continue with the remaining seven movies tomorrow. 

Happy Birthday, Ms. Evans!

Well, it's almost Madge's birthday ... born July 1, 1909.  Madge (Miss Nice Girl) Evans made five movies with Bob:  Lovers Courageous (1932), Hell Below (1933), Made on Broadway (1933), Fugitive Lovers (1934) and Piccadilly Jim (1936).  They were a handsome/cute couple, certainly not edgy like Bob and Joan.  Just love the many great photos of the two from Lovers Courageous and Fugitive Lovers.  Today, it's just Madge.  Definitely a tad more than "cute". 

Four More Bob Movies Coming to DVD!!!

Warner Archive (wbshop.com) is including four Bob movies in their new releases for April: The First 100 Years (1938), Yellow Jack (1938), Haunted Honeymoon (1940), and Piccadilly Jim (1936).

Piccadilly Jim is my fave of the four ... Bob and Madge Evans with a great supporting cast including Frank Morgan, Eric Blore, Billie Burke and Robert Benchley ... what's not to like.  Keep an eye open for uncredited roles by Dennis Morgan, Dennis O'Keefe and Bess Flowers, the Queen of Hollywood Extras!

I really do appreciate Warner Archive releasing four more of Bob's movies, but ... someone really should figure out how to release Letty Lynton (1932) while there are still Bob and Joan Crawford fans around to appreciate it!!  And one could add Unfinished Business (1941) to the list as well!  (Dream a Little Dream ...)

(Life has been a bit of a bitch of late, our house got flooded out due to a failed plumbing housing.  My hard drive with its collection of all things Bob is currently in a rental "Pod" located in the driveway while we're in a motel room waiting for our insurance company to issue the much awaited check before repairs can begin!  Meanwhile, a special thanks to Debbie for stepping up, once again, with her excellent postings.)

A Green Dressing Gown and Yellow Scarf .... It Takes a Montgomery to Carry That Off!

Frank Morgan was a superb actor.  He co-starred with Bob in four movies starting with When Ladies Meet (1933), in which he portrays the married man with whom Myrna Loy wants to have an affair while putting aside the advances of her avid suitor Bob.  In Piccadilly Jim (1935) Morgan takes on the role of Bob's father and in Trouble for Two (1936) becomes a subordinate and fellow adventurer as the Colonel to Bob's Prince.  Lastly, he appears once again as Bob's competitor in The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937), both men pursuing Joan Crawford.  And he is totally believable in all four roles. 

It is understandable that Morgan's main claim to fame is his excellent performance in The Wizard of Oz, perhaps an Oscar nominee in any other year but the golden year of 1939.  The regret is that the one role overwhelms in popularity an entire career of excellent performances.   Frank Morgan died in 1949, only 59 years old.  There's another regret. 

A Fun Way to Start Off the Month

Just a reminder that two of Bob's movies will be shown on TCM tomorrow, Monday, June 1st.  Piccadilly Jim starts at high noon EDT, followed by Trouble for Two at 1:45 p.m. 

             Ralph Forbes and Madge Evans in Piccadilly Jim (1936)

Will Madge choose Ralph Forbes or Bob?  Can't wait to find out ...

Bob and his Ladies Week

I do so enjoy the marvelous sets created for 1930s movies.  Just think of all the effort involved in setting up the sets used in the photos below.  How would you like to have been the one that was assigned to adhering all those flowers to the "tree" to create the background for Bob and Nora's swing scene in But the Flesh is Weak.  Beautiful setting.  And I love the touch of having the pair of swans swimming behind Madge and Bob.  Fantastic sets created for maybe a minute of film, then broken down and readied for the next scene. 

                   But the Flesh is Weak (1932) with Nora Gregor

Nora Gregor seems to have appeared in only one U.S. movie, making mostly German movies.  Douglas Fairbanks in his autobiography, The Salad Days, relates a rather amusing story of an inebriated Nora showing up for a performance in a play in which they were co-starring, after "carouzing mit your freund, dat Bobbity Montygummarrry."  She makes it until the second act when she gets sick and leaves Doug alone on the stage.

Actually, Nora's life would make a great movie --- successful stage and film actress becomes the mistress of an Austrian prince and politician, eventually marrying him; flees Austria in 1938 (Nora's parents were jewish) leaving behind the family fortune; moves to South America in 1942; and finally, living alone in dire straits in Chile, commits suicide in 1949 at the age of 47.  What d'ya think, a young Meryl Streep role?

                        Piccadilly Jim (1936) with Madge Evans

Madge Evans had the same problem as Bob re typecasting.  She was quite often cast in the 'nice girl' roles with little opportunity to break out of that mold.  She made five movies with Bob:  Lovers Courageous, Hell Below, Made on Broadway, Fugitive Lovers and Piccadilly Jim.   In 1939 she married playwright Sidney Kingsley, trading Hollywood for an estate in New Jersey and a marriage that lasted until her death in 1981, just five months before Bob passed.  Not as exciting a life as Nora's, but seemingly preferable.

Happy Birthday, Robert (Benchley)!

Robert Benchley was one funny man ... a humorist, prolific essayist and, for all too few times, a delightful scene-stealing movie co-star.

With Bob in the drinking scene in Piccadilly Jim, an easy chore for Robert, who knocked down a few in his life.


Being adorable with Rosalind Russell and Helen Vinson in Live, love and learn.   

And on a totally personal note, a big Happy Birthday to my Big Bro, David ... Love ya' ... your always Baby Sis. 

   

Programming Alert: Piccadilly Jim

Just found out that TCM will be showing Piccadilly Jim on June 1, 1:15 PM (Central, check your local listings!). Do DVR it, it's rarely shown. If that's not enough to watch, Robert Benchley and Madge Evans are in it, too!

Photo Friday: Piccadilly Jim

Larger image (I hope this isn't a repeat...)