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.  

Are we up to a little game? Hey, Bob's in it.

 I absolutely love photos like this, a shot of the cast and crew.  Unfortunately, they don't exactly work on the blog.  On the small side.  Can you tell it was taken on the set of Forsaking All Others (1934)?  Let me enlarge the major cast members. 

Guess who!  In all his splendor ...

And while we're checking out the rest of the cast, can you guess what they have in common in these photos that is different from Mr. Montgomery?  First, we have good friend Roz Russell.  Poor Roz was given a truly ugly dress to wear in the movie.  

Then, there is Billie Burke and Charles Butterworth, two excellent scene stealers.  

And, lastly, there's Mr. Gable with a big smile.  Ms. Crawford is not included in our little game, too interested in being snuggled up close to Mr. Gable.  

So, what do Roz, Billie, Charles and Clark all have in common that Bob doesn't?  They are all looking and listening to the director on their left.  Whereas Mr. Montgomery is looking directly at the camera, always appreciative of what made his success in the movies.  

Gosh. Without the Mustache He'd be Perfect.

 Now that's a handsome couple.  Gorgeous costumes.  Like the cut of Bob's outfit.  Looks great on him.  Roz isn't looking all that shabby either.  

                Bob and Rosalind Russell in Trouble for Two (1936)

Three Classy Takes of Ms. Russell

Today, June 4th, is Rosalind Russell's birthday.  A big Happy Birthday wish to one classy lady!

                                   Rosalind Russell, mid-1930s

                Ronald Colman and Roz in Under Two Flags (1936)

                           Roz in Take a Letter Darling (1942)

Okay, Guys ... Just One More

 I have a whole series of Bob and Roz photographs taken for Live, Love and Learn (1937), every last one as good as the next.  They were taken by Clarence S. Bull, the head of MGM's photo unit after George Hurrell departed.  He was quite good as well.  Boy, talk about a specialized trade, only a few photographers per studio, and not that many studios in the entire country with just a few more in Europe.  Very lucky people in the midst of a worldwide depression for sure.  

I wonder what Bob and Roz were thinking.   Perhaps something mundane, like doing some grocery shopping on the way home from the studio.  Well, maybe Roz.  Bob I can't imagine in a grocery store in L.A.  

    Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell, Live, Love and Learn 

Roz, Cesar, Walter & Franchot - I'd Go See That Movie!

 Sorry about the absence of a Tuesday blog entry.  Three-day holidays always mess things up for me ... as in "What day is it, Hon?"  And he replied, "Wednesday, Dearest."  And I said, "Oh, Crap!"  Anyway, let's give Thursday a try.

Roz Russell was a great actress.  She mastered both comedy and drama roles, a rarity.  Below, she shows she can 'out ham' even Marie Wilson!  

Rosalind Russell and Marie Wilson (the Blonde!) in Never Wave at a Wac (1953)

I've always been a fan of both Cesar Romero and Walter Pidgeon.  They both had long and productive careers, plenty of opportunities to watch and admire their work.  Looks like Cesar is the bad guy in this movie.  Not sure why the heroine would need to cringe in fear because Cesar is pointing his finger at them.  Maybe there wasn't a gun available at the photo session?  

Cesar Romero, Tara Birell, and Walter Pidgeon in She's Dangerous (1937)

There are numerous excellent portraits of Franchot Tone.  The camera loved the young Mr. Tone, much like the young Mr. Montgomery.  

What a Woman! (1943) Roz & Brian

 Two favorites, both good-looking, talented and all around good people.  Roz particularly liked Brian because he was 6' 3-1/2" tall!  Roz could wear stylish high heels and hair piled up on top her head without worrying about her male co-star's lack of height.  

          Rosalind Russell and Brian Aherne in What a Woman! (1943)

The two of them seem rather comfortable doing these publicity shots, comfortable being with each other and performing for the photographer.  

That hair style of Roz's is rather impressive.  It must add, what, 3+ inches to her height.  Wonder how much time she spent with her hairdresser every morning.  

Joel and Garda Sloane in Twin Beds

 Only in Hollywood....

                   Bob and Roz Russell in Fast and Loose (1939)

She Could Hold Her Own, For Sure

 Great photo of Bob and Roz.  Their facial expressions are superb.  There are a goodly number of these publicity shots taken by Clarence S. Bull.  My favorite always seems to be the one I most recently  purchased.  It may well be the last one I find.  Just can't imagine there being a better one.  Great job, guys!

                    Bob and Roz in Live, Love and Learn (1937)

2 Guys Plus 2 Girls ='s 4 Times the Fun!!

 MGM had an impressive number of handsome and successful stars on their books in the 1930s.  It was easy for them to come up with a variety of trios or foursomes, which really helped with the draw of the films.  The storylines may not have been the best, but the fans could be happy with just seeing one of their favorites up on the screen.  If I'm not mistaken, the plot for Man-Proof was something like ... Myrna is in love with Walter but he marries Roz who turns to Franchot for comfort.  

            Myrna, Franchot, Roz and Walter in Man-Proof (1938)

I like the photo for the way it handled the height problem, like when the guy is barely taller than the woman.  Franchot has to be sanding on a box.  

Ah, To Tweak the Montgomery Chin at Ciro's

 Yes, that's Mrs. Murphy with a good grip on Mr. Montgomery's arm.  Mrs. Montgomery is between Mr. Murphy and Mrs. Cagney.  Late 1930's version of wife swapping. 

 

 

 The above two photos show that Bob, although a heavy smoker, was seldom caught by the photographer with a cigarette in hand or mouth.  Nor was he photographed wearing his glasses.  Both he and Irene, below, have eyeglasses in hand. 

And Why Should We Care If It Has Meaning?

A great trio of performers, a joy to behold each one of them.  In other words, I like the people in the photo ... but, what exactly is going on here?  It looks like Montgomery is pulling Benchley down.  Does he want him to join he and Roz on the chaise?  Rather doubt that.  At least they are trying for something different.  And Roz gets to enjoy it.  Good shot of Bob (Montgomery). 

 

Bob, Robert Benchley and Roz Russell in Live, Love and Learn (1937)

 

Bob,Joan,Frank,Una,Clark,Bill,Robert or Roz?

 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer did not pass up many opportunities to make a little extra money off their stars fame.  Besides the picture frame photos, there were photos used on notebooks (or writing tablets, as I knew them).  I wasn't around for these notebooks, but I would have dreaded having to select just one for the upcoming school year.  In all honesty, as an elementary school student I probably would have chosen .... Clark Gable!  And Robert Taylor would have been my second choice.  Hey, Gable and Taylor were still making movies in the 1950s.  While Robert Montgomery was a TV producer and advisor to President Eisenhower.  Who would you have chosen? 

No boxes to stand on in this movie!

 Roz must have looked forward to co-starring with Brian Aherne, all 6'3" of him.  She could even wear heels standing next to him!  No need to slouch, position herself further away from the camera, or have the male lead stand on a box when she's in the scene.  Checking in at 5'8", Roz was quite tall for her time.  In 1940, 5'2" was the average height for women, men only 5'7".  Yeah, a lot of interesting camera angles were employed in her movies. 

             Brian Aherne & Rosalind Russell in Hired Wife (1940)
 

Con Man Bob Meets Dubious Roz

 "ROBERT MONTGOMERY DISPLAYS HIS TRICK BILL-FOLD....to Rosalind Russell in a moment between scenes in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Night Must Fall".  Bob has pulled this pet trick on everyone in the cast ..."

 I remember this 'trick bill-fold' from my childhood!  Seems my Dad came up with it, his kind of humor.  It was great from the viewpoint of a child.  Roz doesn't seem to be very impressed.  Maybe it was just Bob's pitch...

A Troubled Twosome, No Place to Sit

 Whoa ... let's hear it for the costume department!  All the work required on Roz's dress.  All the effort required getting Bob's boots on!  It's no wonder he's on a resting board.  There's no way he could bend his knees to sit down. 

                Rosalind Russell and Bob in Trouble for Two (1936)
 

The hair and the mustache, now that's too much.   What a way to mess up a beautiful face. 

Happy Birthday, Roz!!

Roz went directly from playing Lady Venetia Cunningham in Under Two Flags (1936) to Princess Brenda of Irania in Trouble for Two (1936).  Not exactly roles that utilized Ms. Russell's abilities to their fullest.  At least her hairstyle in Under Two Flags was quite classy. 

     Promotional still of Rosalind Russell for Under Two Flags (1936)

TCM is showing a six-movie marathon of Roz's movies today for her birthday, starting at 7:15 ET.  

Fun Finds From Bulk Buys

Most often when you buy photos in bulk, you might get what you paid for.  Or you just might find that hidden treasure you are seeking.  Sharing three of my "treasures" with you. 

A double-weight photo with a matte finish that is in perfect shape is becoming a rare find, particularly when it is a still with Bob and Roz Russell from Fast and Loose (1939).  I saw it in a bulk lot of movie stills, many damaged and most from little known movies.  It was like finding a cut gem amongst river gravel. 

I enjoy autographed items.  It means that person actually made contact with the item that you are now holding.  And if the item pre-dates Covid19, then it is all good!  Harry Carey, Jr. was one of those likeable guys in mostly Western movies.  Watching him and Ben Johnson ride horses, a sheer pleasure.  A nice find. 

This is an original photo, trimmed, approx. 9x12 inches of Will Rogers.  It came with a large stack of mostly magazine articles, covers and ads from the 1900s through the 1910s.  This was the only photo with two movie ads for 1920 movies of Rogers'.  1920 would be a good guess for the photo, perhaps earlier.  Have not run across the photo anywhere, except as an illustration.  Whatever, it is a nifty photo, a fun find. 

25 Cents for an 8x10...Ah, those were the Days

So, Miss Foy of Fargo ND writes a letter to Rosalind Russell and asks for a photograph of her favorite star.  MGM sends her a postcard advising she needs to send money for a photo.  On the other side of the card is a photo of Roz and Bob in Night Must Fall.  So, Miss Foy got a photo of Roz for free!  Good move, Miss Foy.