The Mysterious Montague: A True Tale of Hollywood, Golf, and Armed Robbery

Amazing tale of a mysterious Hollywood golfer and friend of the stars who no one seemed to know his past, due to robbery gone bad in native NY. The reader is instantly hooked with the robbery account at the beginning, then moving on to his legendary exploits in golf and feats of strength around Hollywood country club set the likes of Olver Hardy to Bing Crosby. The man resisted any photos until sportswriter Grantland Rice gets the man too much press in newspaper story which eventually results in secret photos of the man in national magazine. The photo of him on the cover reminds me much of a young Jackie Gleason and one of my dad's brothers. The NY authorities see this picture, and go to California to have the man arrested and brought back for trial seven years after its the alleged law breaking. After the trial, unfortunately now in freedom, Montague does not perform up to his legendary status, which gives me dual emotions: sorry that he couldn't and not sorry that his loose behavior prevent it. The likes of John Wayne, Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb play in his fascinating life. Great read for golfer, sports aficianado and anyone else liking a good read of Americana sports/Hollywood history. Montville is a great writer who holds your interest.

John Montague, who's real name was LaVerne Moore, was a sensation in mid- 1930's Hollywood for his alleged super-human prowess as a golfer (tales of his prowess were possibly true, partially true, imagined or invented, the book does not really tell us and maybe it would be impossible at this point for anyone to really know). He was a man who came to Hollywood seemingly from nowhere; had no obvious employment but lots of cash; and through golf he made a lot of movie star friends including Guy Kibbee, Oliver Hardy and Bing Crosby. He was supposed on one occasion to have won a bet with Crosby by playing a hole with a bat, rake and a spade. Part of his allure was based the fact that he refused to be photographed, and would not play in tournaments. He only played "super-human" club golf, for money of course. Unfortunately for him, John Montague had "a past" that eventually came back to haunt him. This is a well-told tale of the magic era of the 1930's and a man who's talents and energy could not be harnessed in conventional ways. He could have been a great politician, and there's something about him that made me think of Huey Long. His was a fascinating story that included Prohibition Era rum runners; the love of an under-appreciated mother; Hollywood and the press; and a courtroom melodrama. The story trails off a lot toward the end, and a hidden but important character surfaces at the end, whose existence explained a lot, but who was never present in the earlier narrative. In any event, this is a fun book about a fascinating character who was ultimately, at best , a footnote in the history of golf in America.

A detailed recollection of events in the life of a very mysterious person. Leigh Montville brings back a time when personalities were indeed bigger than life, and one that reluctantly stood out in that crowd is the subject of the story. As the reader enjoys amazing stories involving some famous hollywood names it becomes clear why our subject is not willing to share the spotlight. I found The Mysterious Montague a wonderful read, and recommend it to all.

This is the fascinating, intriguing tale of a man who changed identities to start a new life in Hollywood and leave a criminal past behind - or so he hoped. It's one of those "only in America" stories - featuring golf and Hollywood celebrities such as Bing Crosby - with a surprise ending that actually seems fitting although justice isn't done, strictly speaaking.

The title of Leigh Montville's new book tells you a lot about the story without ever having to read a page. John Montague played golf and schmoozed with some of the most famous of the 1930's Hollywood celebrities. However, something in his personal life would eventually turn his world totally around. This book will probably not win any literary awards, but it is entertaining, amusing, and at times quite unbelievable. Golfers will love it, non-golfers will enjoy it.