Douglass Montgomery was born in 1907 in Los Angeles. He began his career in Hollywood films of the 1930’s notably “Little Women” opposite Katherine Hepburn in 1933. In the 1940’s he went to the United Kingdom where he made many fine films especially “The Way to the Stars” in 1945. He died on the 23rd of July 1966 on the same day as another great Hollywood actor called Montgomery died – Montgomery Clift.
Gary Brumburgh’s entry:
Montgomery, on stage by his teens, was scouted by MGM. The studio changed his name to Kent Douglass and cast him in dashing or romantic roles opposite some of MGM’s powerhouse actresses, such as Joan Crawford (in Paid (1930) ) and Katharine Hepburn (inLittle Women (1933), in which he played the role of Laurie).
Just as he was gaining ground, MGM inexplicably changed his name again, to Douglass Montgomery, and lent him to other studios. Although he forged ahead with Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935), Harmony Lane (1935) (in which he portrayed composer Stephen “Suwanee River” Foster), and Bob Hope’s comedy classic The Cat and the Canary (1939), his career was in decline by WWII. He enlisted with the Canadian infantry and served for four years. Montgomery returned to acting but was scarcely noticed. He starred in a few routine British films, then returned to the US for a few more and for some work in television. He died in 1966.
– IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net
TCM overview:
jessgalchutt ( 2006-12-05 )
Source: www.imdb.com
A strapping young man with chiseled, handsome looks and a naive, innocent demeanor, this actor’s career might just have been hampered by a change of screen names. Actor Douglass Montgomery was born Robert Douglass Montgomery in 1907. On stage in his teens, MGM scouts nabbed him, signed him up, and changed his name to Kent Douglass for films in 1930. With a suitably dashing and romantic presence similar to that of Leslie Howard, the fair-haired young man played second leads opposite some of MGM’s powerhouse ladies, including Joan Crawford in Paid (1930) and Katharine Hepburn in Little Women (1933) in which he played the role of Laurie. Just as he was making grounds, his moniker was inexplicably changed to Douglass Montgomery, and he was loaned out to other studios. Although he forged ahead with Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935), Harmony Lane (1935) , in which he portrayed composer Stephen “Suwanee River” Foster, and Bob Hope’s comedy classic The Cat and the Canary (1939), by WWII, his career had waned. He enlisted with the Canadian infantry, serving for four years. Montgomery returned but was scarcely noticed. He starred in a few routine British films following this period, then returned to the US for a couple more and some TV work. He died in 1966.
The above TCM overview can be accessed online here.
