My Man Dabney's Older Brother Johann

            William Powell in The Baroness and the Butler (1938)

A Visit From Father

ABC Photo Release: Elizabeth Montgomery (second from left) and make-up man Rolf Miller (left), enjoy the moment as Elizabeth's father, former film star Robert Montgomery and his wife, visit the set and cast an eye at a papier-mache model of a pig's head which figures in the story, "This Little Piggie," which will be telecast on the ABC Television Network's "BEWITCHED," Thursday, Feb. 18 (8:30-9:00 p.m., EST).

There is no year given for the photo, but 1964 is my best bet.  The episode mentioned is not listed on IMDB for Bewitched.  But Feb. 18 was a Thursday in 1964, and it is right for the age of Mr. Montgomery in the photo.  I have also seen an ABC release stating he would be the guest on the season's opening show of Bewitched, but sadly that never happened.  Would love to have seen older Bob do an acting gig!

My Favorite Butler

          Bob as Raymond Dabney in The Man in Possession (1931)

Bob's Final Scene ...on the Cutting Room Floor!

Just love heralds, the nice four-page ones.  Mini-pictorials of the movies, they made great souvenirs for the movie fan.  I have not run across a U.S. version of the herald for The Gallant Hours (1960), but the German one is nifty.  Der Admiral ... certainly fits the cover photo of Cagney as Admiral Halsey in his uniform with all the stripes and ribbons. 

On the back page, you will probably recognize the scene at top wherein the Juniors Cagney and Montgomery were cast as young marines who have a chat with Halsey.  And, frustratingly so, the lower left shot is not in the final cut.**  Our man Bob, appearing in his real uniform as a Captain in the USNR, is shown shaking hands with Halsey/Cagney.  What a great scene to have closed out his movie career!

**The movie uses a shot made from behind Bob so you just see the outline of his head and shoulder.  I'm guessing Mr. Montgomery decided it might have had a jarring effect on the rather dramatic scene.

Another Mystery Solved ... MGM Did Not Do It!

It is always great to run across a "new" photo of Bob.  The photo below is definitely not in the best shape, but still interesting, and it is Bob after all. 

Tried touching it up some.  At lease we know for sure it is an original silver gelatin print by the splotchy appearance of the slacks!  It doesn't look like your standard MGM photo.  Besides, if it were, there would probably be a lot more of them around.  MGM never thought small!  So, it was a mystery until ...

I ran across this 1938 publication of the Screen Actors Guild.  Check out the rather distinctive painting or print in the background.  Definitely a sister photo.  And it is no wonder it's not an MGM photo.  They wouldn't be sending out a photographer on behalf of SAG!