Career Robert Montgomery (actor)

lobby card own desire (1929)

montgomery settled in new york city try hand @ writing , acting. established stage career, , became popular enough turn down offer appear opposite vilma bánky in film heaven (1929). sharing stage george cukor gave him entry hollywood , contract metro-goldwyn-mayer, debuted in college (also 1929). 1 writer claimed montgomery able establish himself because proceeded confidence, agreeable everyone, eager , willing take suggestions . during production of college, montgomery learned , questioned crew members several departments, including sound crew, electricians, set designers, camera crew, , film editors. in later interview, confessed, showed [him] making motion picture great co-operative project. college gained him attention hollywood s latest newcomer, , put in 1 production after another, popularity growing steadily.

montgomery played exclusively in comedy roles, portrayed character in first drama film in big house (1930). mgm reluctant assign him in such role, until earnestness, , convincing arguments, demonstrations of how play character won him assignment. big house on, in constant demand. appearing greta garbo s romantic interest in inspiration (1930) started him toward stardom rush. norma shearer chose him star opposite in divorcee (1930), strangers may kiss (1931), , private lives (1931), led him stardom. in 1932, montgomery starred opposite tallulah bankhead in faithless, though film not success. during time, montgomery appeared in original pre-code film version of when ladies meet (1933), starred ann harding , myrna loy. in 1935, montgomery became president of screen actors guild, , elected again in 1946.

montgomery in trailer night must fall (1937)

in challenging role, montgomery played psychopath in chiller night must fall (1937), received academy award best actor nomination.

after world war ii broke out in europe in september, 1939, , while united states still officially neutral, montgomery enlisted in london american field service , drove ambulances in france until dunkirk evacuation. returned hollywood , addressed massive rally on mgm lot american red cross in july 1940. montgomery returned playing light comedy roles, such alfred hitchcock s mr. & mrs. smith (1941) carole lombard. continued search dramatic roles. role joe pendleton, boxer , pilot in here comes mr. jordan (1941), montgomery nominated oscar second time. after u.s. entered world war ii in december 1941, joined united states navy, rising rank of lieutenant commander, , served on uss barton (dd-722) part of d-day invasion on june 6, 1944.

in 1945, montgomery returned hollywood, making uncredited directing debut expendable, directed of pt boat scenes when director john ford unable work health reasons. montgomery s first credited film director , final film mgm film noir lady in lake (1947), in starred, received mixed reviews. adapted raymond chandler s detective novel , sanitized censorship of day, film unusual because filmed entirely marlowe s vantage point. montgomery appeared on camera few times, 3 times in mirror reflection.

he directed , starred in ride pink horse (1947), film noir.

active in republican politics , concerned communist influence in entertainment industry, montgomery friendly witness before house un-american activities committee in 1947. next year, 1948, montgomery hosted academy awards. hosted emmy award-winning television series, robert montgomery presents, ran 1950 1957. gallant hours (1960), film montgomery directed , co-produced star, friend james cagney, last film or television production connected in capacity, actor, director, or producer. in 1954, montgomery took unpaid position consultant , coach president eisenhower, advising him on how best in television appearances before nation. pioneering media consultant, montgomery had office in white house beginning in 1954.

montgomery has 2 stars on hollywood walk of fame, 1 movies @ 6440 hollywood boulevard, , television @ 1631 vine street.