Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Mr. Montgomery and the President
From January, 1954 to the end of Dwight Eisenhower's presidency in January, 1961, Bob served as Ike's advisor on television and film matters in an official, but non-salaried position. Including the time spent on active duty in the U.S.N.R. during WWII (for which he volunteered and, due to his age, would not have had to serve), that is over 11 years of public service with only his wartime navy salary as pay. A rather impressive feat for a man of his time, virtually unheard of in today's world. (And this does not include his time as an inactive member in the Navy Reserves from 1945 and on into the 1960s.)
As his presidency wound down, a thankful Eisenhower did do a few things for Bob. From the official appointment log of Ike, a few of those thank you's.
June 12 to June 26, 1960 - Ike and his entourage visit the Philippines, Taiwan and Korea, followed by five days in Honolulu. Bob went along. There were no televised speeches. Ike played a lot of golf in Hawaii. Bob did not play golf with Ike, but I'm sure he found something to do to occupy his time.
Nov. 7, 1960, 4:25 to 4:39 p.m. - Ike meets with Mr. Robert Montgomery and Mrs. Elizabeth Montgomery Young.
Nov. 30, 1960 - Formal dinner at the White House, attendees included the Honorable and Mrs. Robert Montgomery.
Jan. 16, 1961 - The White House gives a "Stag Dinner" for news reporters, attended by Bob.
Jan. 17, 1961 - Bob assists Ike with his farewell address to the nation given that evening.
Jan. 18, 1961, 5:30 p.m. - The last entry on Eisenhower's appointment log. Ike gives farewell party for his staff and their secretaries. There is no list of attendees. Perhaps I have watched too much Mad Men, but I am guessing everyone had a very good time.
As his presidency wound down, a thankful Eisenhower did do a few things for Bob. From the official appointment log of Ike, a few of those thank you's.
June 12 to June 26, 1960 - Ike and his entourage visit the Philippines, Taiwan and Korea, followed by five days in Honolulu. Bob went along. There were no televised speeches. Ike played a lot of golf in Hawaii. Bob did not play golf with Ike, but I'm sure he found something to do to occupy his time.
Nov. 7, 1960, 4:25 to 4:39 p.m. - Ike meets with Mr. Robert Montgomery and Mrs. Elizabeth Montgomery Young.
Nov. 30, 1960 - Formal dinner at the White House, attendees included the Honorable and Mrs. Robert Montgomery.
Jan. 16, 1961 - The White House gives a "Stag Dinner" for news reporters, attended by Bob.
Jan. 17, 1961 - Bob assists Ike with his farewell address to the nation given that evening.
Jan. 18, 1961, 5:30 p.m. - The last entry on Eisenhower's appointment log. Ike gives farewell party for his staff and their secretaries. There is no list of attendees. Perhaps I have watched too much Mad Men, but I am guessing everyone had a very good time.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Spending Time with the Other R.M.
One handsome man. One handsome couple. Ray Milland and Jean Peters in It Happens Every Spring (1949). The third photo ... I think he's doing the Montgomery smirk.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Tales from the Semi-Annual Movie Show
Yessiree, time for me to opine on the movie collectibles show at the local bowling alley over the weekend. Really, I’ve started to attend purely to people watch – there is rarely anything to buy these days.
I must say, the funniest occurrence was seeing an older fellow reading the back of a porn DVD box (do they write plot descriptions on the back)? Anyhow, a minute later, he blurted out to the dealer rather loudly, “how much for Hardcore Somethingorother (I can't remember if it was neighbors or housewives, sorry).”
In all honesty, the shows have turned into bootleg DVD marts. Picking up a copy of “Ray Milland Volume 1,” I noticed that eight or so films are on DVD already (and eight movies on two DVDs . . . the quality must be awesome). No clue on Vol. 2. I was really looking for an awesome copy of Skylark – no luck. If I could also add, apparently there’s no run on Robert Montgomery bootlegs – TV show or otherwise (darn).
The one purchase I seriously considered was a Bisquick recipe book with movie stars from the mid 30s. I think it was the photo of Dick Powell cooking that snagged me, but alas, I didn’t buy. Joan was also featured, but they didn’t dare show her in an apron.
Seriously, good old memorabilia seems to be getting harder to find. Niches such as sci-fi and horror are the norm, not your low key MGM flick from 1932. I saw 30s stills going from $2 to $10, a lot more reasonable than the online auctions.
I must say, the funniest occurrence was seeing an older fellow reading the back of a porn DVD box (do they write plot descriptions on the back)? Anyhow, a minute later, he blurted out to the dealer rather loudly, “how much for Hardcore Somethingorother (I can't remember if it was neighbors or housewives, sorry).”
In all honesty, the shows have turned into bootleg DVD marts. Picking up a copy of “Ray Milland Volume 1,” I noticed that eight or so films are on DVD already (and eight movies on two DVDs . . . the quality must be awesome). No clue on Vol. 2. I was really looking for an awesome copy of Skylark – no luck. If I could also add, apparently there’s no run on Robert Montgomery bootlegs – TV show or otherwise (darn).
The one purchase I seriously considered was a Bisquick recipe book with movie stars from the mid 30s. I think it was the photo of Dick Powell cooking that snagged me, but alas, I didn’t buy. Joan was also featured, but they didn’t dare show her in an apron.
Seriously, good old memorabilia seems to be getting harder to find. Niches such as sci-fi and horror are the norm, not your low key MGM flick from 1932. I saw 30s stills going from $2 to $10, a lot more reasonable than the online auctions.
Monday, October 15, 2012
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