A Little Color Added to Bob's B & W World

 I love it.  A movie about mosquitos, but you have an outdoor love scene without the ever present curse.  

The colored photos aren't that bad, but have never gotten used to the pink cheeks.  

It would be great if at least a few of Bob's movies were in color.  The Gallant Hours (1960) would definitely have worked well in color.  Bob wanted it to be, but the United Artists money people vetoed the idea.  Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) would be fun in color as would Piccadilly Jim (1936).  

Perhaps Vanessa: Her Love Story (1935) would have been saved if made in color.  With that kind of money sunk in the movie, someone surely would have spent the extra effort to produce a decent script.  Whomever decided to chop the movie down from 100+ mins. down to 74 without spending much effort to give it an understandable storyline, should be .... hung!  

Bob Opens His Mail ... Sure

 A STAR AT HOME...Robert Montgomery, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star last seen in "Yellow Jack," shows how an actor passes his spare time at home.  The setting is the interior of Montgomery's new Beverly Hills home.  (Stamped: Please Credit M-G-M Photo by Willinger.  Also stamped Aug -- 1938.)  

Keeping things real simple this time!  Another shot of Bob at his new home, walking, swimming and now opening correspondence!  I think it might have been a joke, that stern and distant look.  Bob liked his cedar walls, both at home and at the studio.  He also liked that movie reel tie.  It's everywhere!!

Dr. Bob Researches Hollywooditis

 The following article was published in the August, 1938 issue of Hollywood Magazine.  It is a tad lengthy, but it is a good read.  

Don't Forget Thursday's Montgomery Marathon!!

Yellow Jack (1938) is not one of Bob's better movies.  That is still no reason to mess up one of the better publicity stills with a colorization process that called for bright pink splotches on the stars cheeks. 

                            Bob, Virginia Bruce and Lewis Stone

I am looking forward to watching the movie on Thursday, particularly to hear a singing group featuring Andy Devine, Buddy Ebsen and Sam Levine.  A treasure folks...a treasure. 

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)

The Promise In Her Eyes Was Worth the Risk!

For you very early birds ... The Secret Land (1948) is being shown this morning on TCM.  Bob is one of the narrators of this documentary, along with Robert Taylor and Van Heflin.  I rather enjoy just listening to Bob's voice (a huge plus for The Gallant Hours), but this documentary is hardly early morning fare.  Get that taping going and go back to bed!! 

TCM is showing Yellow Jack (1938) this coming Monday, another a.m. viewing.  It has been ages since I have seen this movie.  I had meant to watch it again before writing this post, but ... hey, so I forgot!  (I'm amazed I remember to do my twice-weekly posts!)  Anyway, critics knock the movie for inserting a fictional love interest in a semi-historical movie, which was unfortunately typical of the time.  And, of course, Virginia Bruce's mascara was not permitted to run, even though the movie is based in the tropics.  Then there's the criticism of Bob's Irish brogue, suggesting it was over-the-top and unnecessary for the role.  I would argue an Irish-American soldier in 1898 would most likely have one, but whether Bob's was good or not, I have to admit to a bad ear for accents.  I just enjoy hearing that voice. 

It is too bad movie heralds are no longer a part of the moving-going experience.  They made great souvenirs and were an interesting art form, summing up a movie in such a small format.  Note the header of the above page:  "The Strangest Tale of Terror And Mystery Ever Lived By A Man and A Girl!"  Your basic Hollywood hyperbole! 

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.)

Happy Birthday, Virginia Bruce!

My apologies to the spirit of Virgina Bruce for getting this post in two days late.  Virginia's birthday was September 29th.  Virginia co-starred with Bob in Yellow Jack (1938).  Have always enjoyed this photo, an example of those great 1930s movie sets.  So much better than being in an 1898 Cuban jungle, with all the crawling and flying critters.

                    Bob and Virginia Bruce in YellowJack (1938)

Ran across a clip of Virginia singing in the movie Born to Dance (1936).  The song is "I've Got You Under My Skin" and she sings it to co-star Jimmy Stewart.  Had a nice soprano voice, helped by the always excellent coaching of MGM's Roger Edens.  You can see it here.

Photo Friday - Yellow Jack

Leave it to Hollywood to promote Yellow Fever as "Thrilling!" Title card for 1938's Yellow Jack:

Larger photo