| THAT FINE DIRECTORIAL HAND TV Digest November 18, 1950 |
| Robert Montgomery and Angela Lansbury |
Robert Montgomery is a man of strong determination. He has his beliefs and he sticks to
them. One of these beliefs is completely contrary to the old Hollywood idea that the average
American audience has the intellectual level of a 12-year old child.
That's chiefly why Montgomery keeps his television drama at a high intellectual level.
Montgomery was one of the first top-name film personalities to enter television on a full
scale. As an actor of marked versatility who had played roles in motion pictures ranging from
light comedy to heavy drama, his debut as executive producer of the Lucky Strike Theatre was
more than welcomed. Since he had also gained much respect for his talents as a
producer-director and for introducing a number of innovations in the technique of
movie-making considerably more was expected of him.
Robert Montgomery didn't disappoint.
Since the time of his debut late in January of this year (Mondays at 9:30 P.M.) Montgomery's
television productions have been top entertainment.
Montgomery was born at Beacon, N.Y., the son of a well-to-do rubber company executive.
Educated at the fashionable Pawling School for Boys, he was sent abroad at the age of 14 to
continue his studies, touring England, France, Switzerland and Germany.
A few years later Montgomery's father died, and when the estate was settled the family
found itself penniless. Bob got his first job wiping oil and dust from locomotives in the machine
shop of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. He spent a few years as a deckhand
on a tanker and an actor with summer stock companies. It was a long slow trip upward, but
eventually Hollywood recognized his acting abilities.
He appeared with Greta Garbo in "Inspiration" and with Norma Shearer in "Strangers May
Kiss" and "The Divorcee." Until "Night Must Fall" he was a star much in demand but his
remarkable characterization of a phychopathic murderer in that picture brought a nomination
for the Academy Award.
Montgomery was one of the first Hollywood film stars to go to war. In 1939, he went to
France and volunteered as an ambulance driver. When the Nazis moved into Paris in 1940,
he was forced to escape by way of Lisbon. He entered active duty in the U.S. Navy and three
and a half years later was honorably discharged as a commander, after having served in
actions ranging from Guadalcanal to the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Montgomery is married to the former Elizabeth Allen. They have two children. He is an avid
reader and first edition collector, with writing one of his major hobbies. Collier's and American
Magazine have published his short stories.
them. One of these beliefs is completely contrary to the old Hollywood idea that the average
American audience has the intellectual level of a 12-year old child.
That's chiefly why Montgomery keeps his television drama at a high intellectual level.
Montgomery was one of the first top-name film personalities to enter television on a full
scale. As an actor of marked versatility who had played roles in motion pictures ranging from
light comedy to heavy drama, his debut as executive producer of the Lucky Strike Theatre was
more than welcomed. Since he had also gained much respect for his talents as a
producer-director and for introducing a number of innovations in the technique of
movie-making considerably more was expected of him.
Robert Montgomery didn't disappoint.
Since the time of his debut late in January of this year (Mondays at 9:30 P.M.) Montgomery's
television productions have been top entertainment.
Montgomery was born at Beacon, N.Y., the son of a well-to-do rubber company executive.
Educated at the fashionable Pawling School for Boys, he was sent abroad at the age of 14 to
continue his studies, touring England, France, Switzerland and Germany.
A few years later Montgomery's father died, and when the estate was settled the family
found itself penniless. Bob got his first job wiping oil and dust from locomotives in the machine
shop of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. He spent a few years as a deckhand
on a tanker and an actor with summer stock companies. It was a long slow trip upward, but
eventually Hollywood recognized his acting abilities.
He appeared with Greta Garbo in "Inspiration" and with Norma Shearer in "Strangers May
Kiss" and "The Divorcee." Until "Night Must Fall" he was a star much in demand but his
remarkable characterization of a phychopathic murderer in that picture brought a nomination
for the Academy Award.
Montgomery was one of the first Hollywood film stars to go to war. In 1939, he went to
France and volunteered as an ambulance driver. When the Nazis moved into Paris in 1940,
he was forced to escape by way of Lisbon. He entered active duty in the U.S. Navy and three
and a half years later was honorably discharged as a commander, after having served in
actions ranging from Guadalcanal to the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Montgomery is married to the former Elizabeth Allen. They have two children. He is an avid
reader and first edition collector, with writing one of his major hobbies. Collier's and American
Magazine have published his short stories.
| COVER STORY |
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WHAT'S NEW
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BIOGRAPHY
RM Bio
FILMOGRAPHY
Films of RM
PHOTOS
Portraits, Candids,
Stills, Family, Covers
ROBERT
MONTGOMERY
PRESENTS
TV Series
BOB'S BEWITCHING
DAUGHTER:
Elizabeth Montgomery
THE SON ALSO RISES:
Robert Montgomery, Jr.
ALL IN THE FAMILY:
Elizabeth Allen &
Martha-Bryan Allen
PRINT THE LEGEND
Vintage Articles
RADIO DAYS
Radio Appearances
BRIGHT LIGHTS
OF BROADWAY
Broadway Appearances
BOB AT HOME
Pictorial of Homes
LEADING LADIES
Co-stars
THE ONES THAT
GOT AWAY
Unrealized Projects
STORE
Purchase
Videos/DVDs, Etc.
WANTED PAGE
Stuff I'm looking for
LINKS
Best of the web
GUESTBOOK
Leave your message
SITE MAP
Guide to exploring the
site
CONTACT THE
WEBMASTER