Con Man Bob Meets Dubious Roz

 "ROBERT MONTGOMERY DISPLAYS HIS TRICK BILL-FOLD....to Rosalind Russell in a moment between scenes in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Night Must Fall".  Bob has pulled this pet trick on everyone in the cast ..."

 I remember this 'trick bill-fold' from my childhood!  Seems my Dad came up with it, his kind of humor.  It was great from the viewpoint of a child.  Roz doesn't seem to be very impressed.  Maybe it was just Bob's pitch...

Screen Stars Make Merry

 When I first saw this photo, my first reaction was, where's Betty.  I mean, Betty was kept out of the limelight at the beginning of Bob's career, the first year on the studio's orders since he wasn't even married, as far as the publicity department was concerned.  But by 1936 she appeared at least at the Guild's annual balls and some movie premiers, and she definitely should have been seen with good friends Chester and Suzi Morris.  I finally figured out her absence based on the date of the ball, Feb. 22nd.  Robert Jr. was born January 6th, 1936, only about six weeks before.  Back in the day, new Moms didn't rush back into society wearing slinky ball gowns.  Much relief.  Bob wasn't being a cad after all!

"Pictured as they arrive at the sumptuous third annual Screen Actors Guild Ball at the Los Angeles Biltmore hotel are:  Chester Morris; Mrs. Morris; and Robert Montgomery."  2-22-1936
 

Definition of Beautiful: Maureen O'Sullivan, Robert Montgomery, Robert Taylor, etc...

 Maureen O'Sullivan was a beautiful young lady.  I've commented before that she was (IMO) the leading lady closest to being young Bob's equal.  It would appear from this photo, that the same could be said of her and another beautiful lad from the MGM lot, Mr. Taylor.  John Farrow was a lucky man indeed.

       Robert Taylor & Maureen O'Sullivan in The Crowd Roars (1938)
 

Bob Fashion Fails

 Bob's ties in Saxon Charm (1948) are simply atrocious.  His hat isn't a hit either.  But they fit his character.  A true sacrifice for Bob to dress so uncouth.

  I'm assuming that Bob's head adornment in Riptide (1934) was dreamed up by the costume department in a fit of madness.  A good laugh was had by all ... including Norma.  

And I'm deeply grateful that Bob's (T.W.E.) beach attire never caught on in the States.   

The beard would work if trimmed, but that mustache has to go!

 

Mr. Cagney & Mr. Montgomery on the Set

 Another photo of 'the boys' on the set of The Gallant Hours (1960) that I recently managed to add to my collection.  Besides being a fan of both, I simply admire their long friendship.  Fifty years.  Impressive for movie folks.  I guess the key was simply not talking 'shop' and having other interests in common, like poetry and duck hunting.  A rather unusual combination come to think of it.  Of course, one would say that Cagney and Montgomery were not average men.  For sure.