I Would Like To Have Seen Him On A Pink Horse

There are a number of excellent publicity stills taken of Bob for Ride the Pink Horse (1947).  He is in character, helping to establish former playboy Bob Montgomery as tough guy Lucky Gagin.  Four years of military service has toughened Mr. Montgomery, he looks comfortable with the gun.  Time has also hardened that formerly beautiful face.  He's a handsome dude, but one that has been knocked around a bit, more real.

                  Bob Montgomery in Ride the Pink Horse (1947)

Bob's signature has changed as well, no longer the beautifully drawn one of the 1930s.  It is hurried, matching the man who has less time for personal vanity.  I wonder who "T______y" was. 

And He Still Made It To 77 ...

It is 1931.  Young Mr. Montgomery has reached the heights, indeed ... a cigarette endorsement!!

It is not often when the fine print is more interesting than the rest of the ad.

Let's see ... it's a deal between a movie studio and a cigarette ad company.  Hmm. 

A Really Nice Photo of a Gorgeous Couple

Lucky and Pauline ... such a great match.  The same goes for Bob and Maureen.  It really is too bad they didn't make another film together.  A sequel to Hide-Out (1934) would have been great, but any movie would have been just fine.  Darn it, anyway. 

                 Bob and Maureen O'Sullivan in Hide-Out (1934)

A Red Boutonniere and a Homburg, Of Course

Robert Montgomery was an Anglophile to the nth degree, spending as much time as possible in England throughout the 1930s and even in 1940, what's a little war to keep him home.  Bob thoroughly enjoyed the role of the English gentleman.  Of course he dressed the part perfectly, the homburg, the boutonniere ... must have left his umbrella in the car.  It is quite fitting that his first naval assignment was as a naval attache to the U.S. Embassy in London.  Perfect casting! 

Below, Bob visits director Victor Saville at the Graumont Studios in London in the late 1930s (best guess!).  He seems to be a big hit with the ladies.  I must say the costume director did come up with a unique outfit. 

Being Picky About Piccadilly Jim

It took me a while to appreciate the publicity stills taken for Piccadilly Jim (1936).  At 32 and 27 respectively, Bob and Madge are not exactly over-the-hill, but the camera is a demanding and fickle friend.  I think what bothers me most about the photos is the work done on Bob's face.  It has been completely smoothed out, not a trace of wrinkles or hair follicles.  Top that off with a tad bit of weight gain - after being on vacation for six months! - adding a slight puffiness to his cheeks, and, well, you have a different looking Mr. Montgomery.  Still good, of course, but ... maybe if they had just let a wrinkle or two show. 

                 Bob and Madge Evans in Piccadilly Jim (1936)

And poor Madge, having to wear that floppy shouldered top with the massive corsage.  An overwhelming outfit, and not in a good way.