Bob in a Different Pose

The photo was taken for The Saxon Charm (1948).  There are a number of portraits taken for the movie, but this one stands out.  And it isn't the autograph, although that's always nice to have.  The pose makes you want to know what Bob's character is thinking about.  Perhaps it's the tie, still ugly after all these years ... 

                 Robert Montgomery in The Saxon Charm (1948

A Handsome Man Always

 A rather nice photo of Bob taken in 1948.  In other photos from that year, he is doing publicity shots for The Saxon Charm, wearing one of those atrocious ties he wore in character as ruthless Matt Saxon.  Here he's wearing the solid-colored tie that becomes his style in the late 1940s on into the 1950s.  The man dressed well.  Love the smile.

 

Bob Fashion Fails

 Bob's ties in Saxon Charm (1948) are simply atrocious.  His hat isn't a hit either.  But they fit his character.  A true sacrifice for Bob to dress so uncouth.

  I'm assuming that Bob's head adornment in Riptide (1934) was dreamed up by the costume department in a fit of madness.  A good laugh was had by all ... including Norma.  

And I'm deeply grateful that Bob's (T.W.E.) beach attire never caught on in the States.   

The beard would work if trimmed, but that mustache has to go!

 

"I'm in the Mood for Love"

Audrey Totter got a chance to sing and do a few dance moves, in The Saxon Charm (1948).  The movie "Bad Girl" got to strut her stuff, while playing Bob's girlfriend. 

Go for it, Audrey!

Tomorrow, December 20th, is Ms. Totter's birthday.  Born in 1917, she died only 5 years ago.  A good run by a classy lady. 

What! You Dare To Laugh At Me? You Will Pay!

The image of the tie Bob wears in The Saxon Charm was seared into my memory cells long before I actually saw the movie.  Which is unfortunate, because when I did finally see the movie, all I could see was the tie!!  Well, perhaps I exaggerate a tad, but I did have to laugh when I first saw the nasty Matt Saxon and his incredible tie on the screen.  I do not think Bob would have appreciated my reaction to his character.  Looks like he just heard my comment in the photo below.  Easy Bob, the suit is great, as always.  And the shoe tassels are over-the-top!

                               Bob in The Saxon Charm (1948)

Attaching a colorized version of the tie, as displayed in one of the film's lobby cards.  Now, just try to wipe the image from your memory. 

And another tie from the movie ...

The costume designer must have loved having the elegant Mr. Montgomery wear those ties. 

Just Glad This One is Over

I do believe Bob, here portraying the character Matt Saxon in The Saxon Charm (1948), has captured how I feel at this moment in time.  I woke up with a headache, which I still retain.  A cold/allergy attack is beating me down.  And my internet connection has been going in and out while trying to do this entry.  (Spectrum bought out the local cable company recently ... the rates have gone up and the service is down ... big surprise!) 

Looking for the bright side ... I have had this photo for some time, finally able to use it.  It's the tie.  Love it.   And a matching handkerchief ... so Bob. 

                         

Audrey Totter and the Boys

Audrey Totter specialized in tough-talking dames in the late 1940s.  She was quite good at it and paired off very well with a number of, errrr...., mature leading actors.  In 1947-49, she made three movies in a row with favorite actors of this blog.  She was in The Saxon Charm (1948) with our Bob.  I have used the photo of the two before ... it's worth a repeat.  They make a handsome couple.

In 1949, she co-starred with Ray Milland in Alias Nick Beal. 

Now, to complete the cycle, I recently ran across this photo for High Wall (1947) in which psychiatrist Audrey tries to prove a brain-damaged Robert Taylor did not murder his wife. I am guessing she was successful. 

Actually, if you skip one of her movies, you will find she appeared with Clark Gable in Any Number Can Play (1949).  That's one impressive foursome.  Ahh, another photo to find ...

Robert Montgomery Birthday Week - Co-Stars

Besides being favorite photos, I chose five ladies who were good matches for Bob.  The ever so cute Dorothy Jordan paired well with the youthful Beautiful Bob.  One of my favorite pairings was Bob and Maureen O'Sullivan, a truly beautiful couple.  Darn, but I wish they had made more movies together.  Helen Hayes was Bob's personal favorite leading actress and you can see his respect and adoration for her come through onto the screen.  After five movies together, Bob's and Rosalind Russell's performances were seamless, and a laugh shared at work was real, not just for the camera.  Lastly, only because of my timeline, 30-year-old Audrey Totter's "bad girl" was a great match for older Bob's tough guys.  And what did they all have in common?  The good fortune of sharing the screen with Bob.  Lucky ladies.

                    Love in the Rough (1930) with Dorothy Jordan

                       Hide-Out (1934) with Maureen O'Sullivan

                 Vanessa:  Her Love Story (1935) with Helen Hayes

                   Trouble for Two (1936) with Rosalind Russell

                         Saxon Charm (1948) with Audrey Totter

Bob, Audrey and T.G.I.F.!

                Bob and Audrey Totter in The Saxon Charm (1948)

The more I look at this photo, the more I like it.  It really is all Audrey --- the curled hair arranged just so, her face in the dead center with eyes looking away from Bob.  And then there's the contrast of her gloved hand on Bob's jacket vs. his hand on Audrey's bare arm.   A woman not fully welcoming the man's advances?  It must be the tie. 

Wild Ties & Broadway Scripts

What else could I be talking about other than The Saxon Charm - 1948, Robert Montgomery & Harry Morgan.


Larger photo here. I do love the ties...

Lying Down on the Job

"Your script sucks." OK, so that's not the exact line from the movie.

It's the hospital scene from 1948's The Saxon Charm, with Robert Montgomery & John Payne.

Larger image here.

Charming, Indeed

The Saxon Charm isn't a movie that comes to mind when you think Robert Montgomery. From 1948, the film seems more like a platform for John Payne - an actor you really don't hear much about (I'm sure he has fan blog too). No worries, Bob draws you into the storyline with some flashy ties & a strong performance as Matt Saxon, a fella you love and hate at the same time.

Here's a quick plot rundown from the NY Times' original review.

The film is based on a novel of the same title by Frederic Wakeman. Looks like you can get it used from dealers on Amazon. Also looks like Wakeman is the author of The Hucksters, another film I had on the blog not too long ago.

Audrey Totter appears in the film as Alma, Matt's love interest. Ever have one of those actors/actresses that kind of annoy you, yet you're drawn to their roles? She's my loveable annoyance.

I love Bob's ties in the film. Still, they're quite the difference between one of his suits from the early 30's. The ties rank up there with Robert Walker's oddball ties in Strangers on a Train.

FYI - grabbed this bit off of IMDB for you trivia buffs: "Robert Montgomery patterned his portrayal of a ruthless Broadway producer who lets nothing stand in the way of getting what he wants, after Jed Harris, a noted Broadway impresario who had the same reputation."