Bob and Madge made such a great couple

TCM update for June:  Fast and Loose (1939) and Night Must Fall (1937) will begin their June showings on June 4th and Lovers Courageous (1932) on June 13th.  Meanwhile, three movies from May will continue to run until June 14th (The Divorcee and The Easiest Way) and June 15th (They Were Expendable).  That's a lot of Bob available to watch!  

I definitely need to check out Lovers Courageous.  It has been ages.  Bob and Madge made such a great couple.  

                 Bob and Madge Evans, Lovers Courageous (1932)

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!!!!

And just what did Betty do while Bob was out with the boys?

 Apologize for the small photo.  It is from a newspaper and not all that clear so blowing up portions of it doesn't help any.  Anyway, one can still tell that it's our Bob and friends at a polo game.  Bob is all decked out in his polo attire, including white helmet and long camel coat.  Guinn "Big Boy" Williams is the other polo player.  He was quite the enthusiast owning as many as 125 polo ponies. (Bob had five ... and I thought that was a lot!)  

The lady is Constance Bennett.  The newspaper is dated March 9, 1932, so Bob and she knew each other from filming The Easiest Way (1931).  Bennett enjoyed sports betting, she's probably trying to get tips from Guinn and Bob to help with her bet on the game.  The gent next to Bob is Connie's current (her third) husband, Henri de la Falaise, Marquis de la Coudraye.  Connie had the wealth, and "Hank" was a French WWI hero, and would be one again in WWII.  We all bring our best attributes to a marriage.  

(Late with the blog post once again!  My apologies.)

A Good Summer Day Ends falling asleep during a Bob Movie, followed by Pleasant Dreams

 I was putzing on the computer when I checked out TCM and discovered they are showing two of Bob's films, a pleasant surprise.  The Easiest Way (1931) will be available to stream until Sept. 21st.  And When Ladies Meet (1933) can be seen until Sept. 27th.  

Bought a stack of 20+ stills from The Easiest Way recently.  Amazingly, most are double weight with a matte finish...just beautiful prints.  Will share over time, starting with this very romantic photo of Bob and Connie, taken in Yosemite.  I'm so envious of her.  

      Robert Montgomery and Constance Bennett in The Easiest Way

The Easiest Way ... Never Found it, Drats!

 The Easiest Way (1931) starred Adolphe Menjou (the Bad Guy), Constance Bennett (the Fallen Woman), and Robert Montgomery (as the sort of Good Guy).  This is definitely a pre-code movie.  A Nice herald, too. 

Constance's birthday is this Friday, Oct. 22nd.  Lived to be only 60, much too young.  Married five times, a very good businessman, and a skilled poker player.  In 1931 she was the highest-paid performer in films. Interesting lady. 

In 1931 Clark Gable is a supporting player in Bob's movie.  By 1934 Clark co-stars with Bob in Forsaking all Others and even wins the girl!  Impressive. 
 

Who Was That Handsome Man With The Whip?

I came across this photo a while ago.  It is a re-issue print from the original negative made in 2003 for Public TV.  The line on the bottom of the image tells you about the negative, this one originally made in June of 1929.  A lovely photo with a great subject.  Let's see ... there's Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. on the far left.  Just 19 and already an established star in silents.  Next to him is Jack Conway, a prolific director at MGM, who directed four of Montgomery's pictures (Untamed, 1929; The Easiest Way, 1931; But the Flesh is Weak, 1932; and Hell Below, 1933). 

Next is Joan Crawford, of course.  She looks rather natural with a whip in hand.  Then comes the young man I could not identify for sure.  He looks like William Haines, and he and Joan were good buds, but why would he be showing them whips he just happened to be carrying around.  I could not identify a movie the four were all in.  Anyway, time passed, I'd forgotten the photo, until I ran across another photo showing the familiar set and whips, as well as the distinctive collar of Joan's blouse. Voila!  The movie is Our Modern Maidens (1929), directed by Jack Conway and starring Joan, Doug and Rod La Rocque (not Haines).

Movies, photography and social history of the first half of the 20th century....all my favs combined in one photo.  Just makes my day.  And I have a new movie line to add to my favorites.  The movie is a silent so this is a card that reads, "There is something in my pocket.  Dig in for it."  Definitely a pre-code, pre-MeTooMovement line for young Mr. Fairbanks.  

Gems Found in a Good Fan Magazine

I would have subscribed to "The New Movie" magazine in 1931, if I had the 10 cents a month purchase price that is.  Newsy, good reviews, great full-page photos ... an entertaining read.  The April, 1931 issue was worth every bit of 10 Cents!

Bob has a full-page portrait, two of his movies are reviewed and there is a mention and small photo.  His career really does pickup in 1931. 

He may have gotten co-star billing in The Easiest Way and Inspiration, but they are both starring vehicles for the ladies, Ms. Bennett and Ms. Garbo.  Bob is barely mentioned in the reviews. 

Two of the full-page portraits really stand out.  Anita Page gets the full Hurrell treatment.

And Otto Dyar does a superb job of capturing Ms. Lombard's sexual allure. 

Lastly, William Powell is featured in an article on stars and their fathers.  Appears Bill moved his parents from the cold winters in Kansas City, MO to be nearby in warmer Los Angeles.  Now that's being a good son. 

Before Yosemite Became a Traffic Jam

Love this scenic photo of Bob and Constance Bennett riding horses in Yosemite in The Easiest Way (1931).  It is an original photo, a quality print. 

Moving in a bit closer, you get a better view of Bob and Connie, and their two very patient steeds.

One step closer and we get a great shot of our primary interest.  Great photo.

The Easiest Way

Great photo of Bob and Constance Bennett in a scene from The Easiest Way (1931).  Impressive setting.  The Sierras are still impressive, just a tad more crowded, as is all of California!  

Take out the scenery and you still have a nifty photo of the two young lovers.

Get one step closer and you can really appreciate young Bob's great mop of hair.  Constance had to perm her hair, while Bob used hair oil to try to manage his curls and waves.  And that's one proud ear!

I'll See You and Raise You Two

Constance Bennett, the lady with the large eyes, was born October 22, 1904.  Born into an acting family, she was the older sister of Joan Bennett who appeared with Bob in Three Live Ghosts (1929).  Constance was the highest-paid actress in the movies in 1931 when she made The Easiest Way.  A strong-willed independent lady who would later establish successful clothing and cosmetics businesses, Constance was an accomplished poker player ... kinda fitting.  

           Bob and Constance Bennett ... one good-looking couple!
 

                            Bob, Constance and Adolphe Menjou

 Love the caption for the above photo, used in a vintage movie magazine:  It took all three stars to save the old worn-out plot of  "The Easiest Way."   Ouch!

Happy Birthday, Constance Bennett!

I have always admired Constance Bennett.  She was beautiful, a good actress, played a mean hand of poker and ran her own cosmetics and clothing company.   Her good business sense also helped make her the highest-paid actress in the early 1930s.  That's saying a lot in the time of Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford.  $150,000 for a movie or $30,000 per week ... darn good money for 1931.  That's a heck of a lot more than Bob was making when he co-starred with Constance in The Easiest Way.

            Bob and Constance Bennett in The Easiest Way (1931)

 She was born October 22, 1904, into the acting Bennett family.  Both parents were actors and sister Joan Bennett would also become a successful actress.  She married five times, the last time to a U.S. Air Force officer in 1946, finally a good marriage that lasted until her death in 1965.  Even as a life-long Democrat involved in politics throughout her life, she remained friends with Montgomery, Mr. Republican, and appeared twice on Robert Montgomery Presents. 

             Clark Gable and Constance in After Office Hours (1935)

60 years is much too short a life, but Constance apparently lived those years fully.  She is buried in Arlington National Cemetery ... not many Hollywood people have that distinction. 

Aren't They Just Adorable

             Bob and Constance Bennett in The Easiest Way (1931)

Have you ever noticed how long Bob's fingers are?  Hands meant for a pianist.  Oh, yeah, he did play the piano.  (Now, try watching a Bob movie without staring at his hands ...)

Reminder: Bob's Mini-Marathon on TCM

Just in case you don't already have a copy, or you'd just like to spend the day with Bob, TCM will be showing six of his movies on his birthday tomorrow. 

Times shown are Eastern:
        * 12:15 p.m. The Easiest Way
        *   1:30 p.m. Hide-Out
        *   3:00 p.m. Night Must Fall 
        *   5:00 p.m. Three Loves Has Nancy 
        *   6:15 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
        *   4:30 a.m. The Big House

And below, Roz Russell gives birthday boy, Jimmy Stewart a big hug.  Looks like they're both enjoying it.  

                                No Time for Comedy (1940)

New to DVD: The Easiest Way

When it rains, it pours - just ran across this one after posting on Eye Witness. New to DVD December 1 via the Warner Archive Collection, it's 1931s The Easiest Way with Constance Bennett. Yeah, some guy named Clark Gable is in it, too.

Anita Page's Thoughts On Bob

Anita Page starred in 4 Robert Montgomery films over her short career: Free and Easy, Our Blushing Brides, War Nurse, and The Easiest Way. Alternative Film Blog has posted an interview (in 2 parts) with author Allan Ellenberger, who interviewed Anita for his Ramon Novarro book.


One of the questions posted to Allan was what were Anita's thoughts on her on-screen romantic partners. On Robert Montgomery:

"I thought Robert had a marvelous manner of acting and a great line delivery. I once asked him how he achieved this style and he said 'stage work.' He told me that learning basic acting is essential, but real technique must come from working before a live audience. You learn how to time comic line-delivery, as well as develop your acting skills.

"When I asked if he played people like himself, he said 'no, no. You get costumes that are entirely different.' He also said that was one way to get rid of stage fright. It helps keep you anonymous with [the] audience — so if you forgot your lines, they wouldn't recognize you when you became another character. You were less nervous. I never forgot Bob's tip that day on the set, so when the door was open for me to do a live performance, I jumped on it!"