Bob Takes to the Air!

Bob, Burt Allenburg (a Hollywood agent), and Walter Pidgeon share a laugh at the Polo matches.  I am all for the way people would dress to attend sporting events, or most any public occasion.  Note Walter's boutonniere.  Classy.

It is 1945 and Robert Montgomery takes to the air on CBS, probably Lux Theater.  And it is a color photo!  You can just see the blue eyes.  

"Costume partying is a good old Hollywood custom.  Robert Montgomery, pleased as punch in his Scotch kilts, gallantly assists the Mrs."  Why do I think Bob is not wearing a rental. 

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.  

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.  

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

 I love publicity stills from the studio days.  Everybody told to report most often on Saturdays in full wardrobe for hours of setups ... yeah, they just loved it.  Anyway, I was curious about the kinds of military service these gents had to portray these war heroes.  Of course, it is Hollywood so I wasn't too surprised to find that only two of the six served in the military.  Louis Calhern, the tall gent in the middle, served in France in WWI.  And the young man to his right is Dewey Martin, an actual war hero per his IMDB entry.  

Cast of Men of the Fighting Lady (1954) left to right:  Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Dewey Martin, Louis Calhern, Frank Lovejoy and Keenan Wynn

" Martin joined the U.S. Navy in 1940 and served as a Grumman F6F Hellcat pilot in the Pacific Theater of the war. He fought in the Battle of Midway and had to ditch his Hellcat in the ocean because his carrier was damaged. He was shot down twice. The last time in 1945 and was held as a prisoner of war until Japan's surrender."

(Mr. Pidgeon was way past draft age for WWII, and as a young Canadian studying voice he was no doubt better fitted for the musical rather than the war stage.)

I just Love Mrs. Miniver (where's my hankie...)

 It was only recently that I discovered Walter Pidgeon started his career in musicals in the theater.  I still find it humorous when I see him playing Franz von Renner in Viennese Nights (1930).  It is not that I think he wasn't an excellent singer, but I have difficulty imagining him as anyone other than the Walter of the 1940s to 1970s that I had seen so often.  Yes, tall, dark-haired and handsome with a shake of stuffiness, that's my Walter Pidgeon. 

 Walter made seven movies as the husband of Greer Garson.  When MGM stumbled across a successful pairing, you were together for life, or perhaps it just seemed that long.  Bill and Myrna, Jeanette and Nelson, Greer and Walter ... just think of all the money they made for MGM. 

Walter enjoyed being an actor, worked until he was 80 when poor health caused him to retire.  He was born September 23rd in 1897 in New Brunswick, Canada.  Died September 25th, 1984, in Santa Monica, CA at the age of 87.  It was quite a distance to travel, but he had plenty of time to make and enjoy his successful journey. 

 
 

And Which is Your Favorite Non-Bob?

 Ray Milland?  Walter Pidgeon?  Marlene Dietrich?

 

One Dancer and Six Troopers

 Would love to have a 11"x14" photo of this clipping.  It would be hanging on the wall above my desk (on a rotating basis with the Bob portrait that now claims that space).  Just look at those troopers working hard so as not to embarrass themselves too much at the upcoming Friar's Frolic of 1949.  I gather boys' choruses were always popular at these events, the current lucky dancers looking forward to laughing at next year's group.  I wonder if anyone filmed these events.  I guess not, probably wouldn't pass the censors! 

(LtoR)  Peter Lawford (5'11-1/2); Ray Milland (6'1); Walter Pidgeon (6'2-1/4); Fred MacMurray (6'2-3/4); Van Johnson (6'1); Robert Montgomery (6' 1/2"); and Robert Taylor (5'10-3/4) 

 I added the heights to the list of names.  Looks like they got the lineup right.  Van Johnson is the only dancer in the group.  Walter Pidgeon started off as a singer on the stage, may have had some dancing experience.  The rest, well, raw talent!  Bob looks, well, a little stressed.  Hope he made it through the performance without stepping on Van's foot.  

You've Got to be Kidding Me ...

Sorry, I just do not see Walter Pidgeon as Austrian officer (and baritone) Franz von Remner in a 1930 Oscar Hammerstein musical titled Viennese Nights.  I know he was a singer before the movies, but ...

                       Walter Pidgeon in Viennese Nights (1930)

Dick Powell is a gentleman I first knew as a successful TV/movie producer, but he was extremely likeable as the young singer in 1930s Warner Bros. musicals.  And he had a delightful tenor voice!  It's knowing of his struggle to advance his career from juveniles to dramatic leads, that makes this photo seem uncomfortable for Mr. Powell.  For me, it's the leaves on the helmet that takes it over the top.  (Olivia is still with us, a young 103!  Strong women rule!)

    Dick & Olivia de Havilland in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)

Charles Boyer, the ultimate French lover of the 1930s, is cast as a conniving Japanese diplomat in Hara Kiri.  What more needs to be said ...

                  Listed as Thunder in the East (1935) on IMDB.

Bob and Walter Out On The Town ... Really?

Photo Caption:  5/5/1947  Donna Atwood, star of the Ice-Capades of 1947, spent intermission time visiting with Hollywood stars who turned out for opening night at the Pan Pacific Auditorium ... got the undivided attention of Walter Pidgeon and Robert Montgomery when she stopped to visit with them.

QUESTION:  Okay, I can see Bob at the ice capades, sort of.  I mean, it could be a family night out, he's there with Betty and the kids.  And then some public relations guy pulls him away to spend time with a good-looking 22-year-old.  Tough job, eh, Bob? 

But, Walter?  Ya' know, I have never thought of Walter Pidgeon as being an ice skating kind of guy.  I mean, I can see he and Bob at a cocktail party, enjoying some of Walter's infamous bawdy limericks.  But, an evening watching ice skating?  Really? 

And we'll never know the true story of Bob, Walter and the pretty, young lady ...

Pidgeon Day Minus One

What is not to like about Walter Pidgeon.  Born in Canada on September 23, 1897, Walter had a very successful career in movies, beginning in 1926 and lasting into the mid 1970s.  The movie that solidified his role as a leading actor was Mrs. Miniver (1942), for which he received an academy Best Actor nomination. 

                  With co-star Greer Garson in Mrs. Miniver (1942)

In 1948 he co-starred with Clark Gable, another movie which is a favorite of mine.  Walter gave another excellent performance, as did the entire amazing cast of Van Johnson, Charles Bickford, John Hodiak, Brian Donlevy, Edward Arnold, Marshall Thompson, Cameron Mitchell, Clinton Sundberg, Ray Collins, Warner Anderson and John McIntire.  Guess one has to give credit when it's due to the director, Sam Wood.  (And, in my opinion, it has one of the best performances of Mr. Gable's career, up there with Rhett in GWTW and Gay in The Misfits.)  Gosh, if you have not seen this before, do give it a try ... and the same for Mrs. Miniver.
 
             Walter as Clark Gable's boss in Command Decision (1948)

By the way, Walter began his theatrical career as a singer!  So, of course, he begins his movie career in the silents.  His earliest talkies were musicals, for one of which this photo was taken.  The magazine article that featured it was titled, "He has the Girls Gasping!"  Love it. 

Happy July 22nd! (As in, Why Not?!)

I lucked upon this photo a while back, my scan does not do it justice. (Love double-weight photos!) Initially I thought I would use it for Walter's birthday.  But, hey, that isn't until September, so I decided to look for some other tie in for using the photo now.  Checked Greer's birthday, but it's not until September as well.  Thankfully, I ran across this exciting fact not long into my search:  Mrs. Miniver was released in Los Angeles on July 22nd, 1942! 

                            Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson in Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Great movie ... as many times as I have seen it, I can't help but get teary-eyed at least once.  The picture and Greer got best Oscars, Walter lost out to James Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy.  Wow, Mrs. Miniver and Yankee Doodle Dandy in the same year ... tough choices for sure. 

Why Do Men Age So Well?

A guest post from blog contributor Debbie...

In our youth oriented culture being young is everything. I’m not saying I agree with this, but nowadays it seems especially true in Hollywood and especially true for women. Older actresses have a very hard time finding decent parts, but older actors…….not so much. Men seem to be able to stay leading men well past their 40s and 50s.

This actually was quite true in the early days of Hollywood as well. There were so many men that actually hit their stride as leading men in their late thirties, early forties. Humphrey Bogart, William Powell, Walter Pigeon, Ronald Colman to name a few. Even Fred Astaire, a dancer, continued as leading man material well into his fifties. Clark Gable went to war at 41 and continued his leading man career after the war was over. And then there are the gorgeous Cary Grant and Paul Newman who at 60 could have still played leading men (by 60 Grant had retired, but Newman did after 60.)
 
I hate that saying “Women get old, men get distinguished,“ but I guess in Hollywood at least, it’s true.

You'd Think He Was Born on the 4th!

James Francis Cagney was born July 17, 1899 in New York City ... as in where else!  Rising rapidly to stardom after his performance as Tom Powers in Public Enemy (1931), James stayed at the top of his profession through 1961 when he bowed out in One, Two, Three as the fast-talking Coco-Cola executive C. R. MacNamara.  (Great Movie!  Do make it a point to see it if you haven't already.  Cagney gives a wonderful performance, a great way to end a great career.)

Check out James below with another longtime pro, Walter Pidgeon.  Do you think Walter is believing the tall tale Cagney is telling?  I'm sure they have both heard it all by this time.  Also, have you noticed how much of 6' 2-1/2" Pidgeon's career was spent sitting so the other actor could be in the same shot? 

   Cagney & Walter Pidgeon on the set of These Wilder Years (1956)

I have always thought of Cagney as being one of the good guys, even before knowing he and Bob were lifelong friends.  But the halo effect in this portrait?  I'm guessing that was overdoing it a tad.  

           Promotional shot of Cagney for Blood on the Sun (1945)

From the early 1950s and into the 1960s, Bob and Jim were neighbors, at least when Bob was not in NYC or summering in the east Hamptons.  Bob had an estate outside Millbrook, NY and Jim had property just to the north outside Stanfordville, NY.  Their homes were about 10 miles apart.  Jim stayed on his place until his death, Bob would move on to Canaan Valley, CT.

Wouldn't it have been fun tagging along with Bob and Jim when they left the wives at home and spent the day walking the grounds for good conversation and the occasional shot at fleeing fowls.  Not quite your average movie stars of today.  (Thank goodness!)

Fun Photos (No, Not THAT Harrison Ford!)

                                     Boyer Wins By a Nose!

             Charles Boyer & Margaret Sullivan in Back Street (1941)

                  Dick and His Earring ... How Cute Can You Get!

                        Dick Powell in Broadway Gondolier (1935)

                                        Down, Mabel, Down!

         Harrison Ford and Marie Prevost in Up in Mabel's Room (1926)

Happy Birthday, Rosalind Russell!

Early in her career, Roz Russell was afraid she would be type cast in mousy schoolmarm roles and worked hard to prove to be the versatile actress that she was.  Of course, she proved that and more, she was quite the good actress as well.  And no one remembers Roz as being mousy ... far from it!

In Design for Scandal (1941) she plays a judge who has a conniving reporter arrested, when she finds out he had deceived her.  That's one way to keep Walter Pidgeon in line!

                                    Roz with Walter Pidgeon

She portrays an aviatrix, a fictionalized Amelia Earhart, in Flight for Freedom (1943). 
 

                           Roz with fellow pilot, Fred MacMurray

In The Feminine Touch (1941), she's the wife of a psychology professor, who doesn't have a clue. 

                                   Roz with clueless Don Ameche

Roz was just an absolute delight.  I would be thankful if she had made only Auntie Mame!  And, oh yes, the five movies she made with Bob.  That she also gave great performances in His Girl Friday, Gypsy, Picnic, The Women and dozens of other movies ... now that's just almost too much to hope for from one actress.  Thanks, Roz.

Wanted: The Youngest Profession

Anyone have a copy of this film that they might be able to share? Looks like fun. No, I don't think I'd be this crazy in 1943 - hmm, but then again...

Cocktails With Walter

The thought of getting a mixed drink from a bottle scares me a bit, but apparently it didn't bother Walter Pidgeon enough for this mid 60s ad for Heublein Cocktails.

For those of you playing at home, one version of the Manhattan:

3/4 oz sweet vermouth
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 dash Angostura® bitters
1 maraschino cherry
1 twist orange peel

I'm partial to Brandy Old Fashioned Sweets myself...

Photo Friday - Airline Security

Larger photo

Danger in the Air . . . Walter Pidgeon and Rita Johnson are the center of a series of hair-raising episodes incidental to the story of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Nick Carter," an exciting melodrama based on the famous detective of fiction. Pidgeon plays Carter and Miss Johnson is an airplane stewardess, who figures not only in the thrills, but also in a romance with the super-sleuth. Jacques Tourneur is the director and Lucien Hubbard is producing.

Just in the Nick of Time

One of the films shown by TCM in July was Sky Murder (1940). Now if you recall, TCM was playing a million aviation related films last month, including this one which I TiVo'd. TCM was stretching the theme a bit - there were no dogfights, no war heroes, no daredevil barnstormers - just a murder on a plane. I'll leave it to the link above to give you a plot overview.

Sky Murder stars Walter Pidgeon as detective Nick Carter. The feel of the film is similar to the other detective series' on fim of the time like The Saint and The Falcon. As a side note, watch for Tom Conway, who would later star in The Falcon series (as did his brother). The characters in Sky Murder are slightly cartoonish, but definitely unique. As I say for a lot of films, it isn't an Oscar winner, but it's a fun watch like many other detective films of the time.

Walter has made it to my TiVo favorites list...

Classic Coming Attractions

The Digital Bits web site has an updated classic DVD column up. New box sets reviewed include James Cagney, Tyrone Power, and Errol Flynn. Of particular interest on this end is the August 7 release of the William Powell/Myrna Loy Collection (Manhattan Melodrama, Evelyn Prentice, Double Wedding, I Love You Again, and Love Crazy).

And if you've held out all these years from buying To Catch a Thief (like me), it sounds like it's finally safe to buy the latest DVD issue.