We really did not like Bob Montgomery

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Laurence Olivier became best friends in the early 1930s and remained so for the rest of their lives. Someone they used to hang out with was fellow actor Robert Montgomery, with whom they went fishing and yachting. The following letter from Douglas Fairbanks Jr. to Betty Barker (known for being Joan Crawford's long-time secretary) shows that Fairbanks and Olivier put up with Montgomery but that they didn't really like him, feeling Montgomery was "pompous". Fairbanks wrote to Barker as he wanted to play a practical joke on his buddy Larry (the joke having to do with Montgomery) for which he needed her help. The letter is from 1987 when Fairbanks was 77 years old, but apparently not too old to play pranks.  

(left to right) Douglas Fairbank Jr., Laurence Olivier and Robert Montgomery in their younger days.

Source: WorthPoint

Transcript:

16 June 1987

Betty Barker

839 North Fuller

Apartment H

West Hollywood

Los Angeles

California 

U.S.A.

Betty dear-

I have an inside joke with Larry Olivier, though we do not like it generally known as it is in rather gruesome bad taste. Although we were outwardly friendly and former fishing and yachting partners of the late Bob Montgomery, we really did not like him, and thought him pompous.

I want to play a joke on Larry if I can, and I am going to sign a picture of Bob to him. However, I haven't got such a picture- could you please find one somewhere of any size, kind or description and be good enough to mail it to me at White Club, St. James's Street, London SW1?

Thank you dear, love,

(handwritten)
As ever
D.
P.S. How and where are you?

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Laurence Olivier and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. photographed with Lilian Gish in the 1980s.