Recognising your significance...

Sometimes it can be difficult to see any significance in what you do. You work hard, try your best, give it your all. You try to better yourself, learn more, give more. You do it to share your skills, your understandings, your life lessons. Sometimes, however, your reach seems so limited and your efforts worthless. At this point, it becomes harder to see your purpose in this world. I'll always remember a priest who spoke at a Sydney youth festival: "A lot goes into a person." It made me reconsider what my parents wanted for me and some of the conscious choices they made. Each one of us is unique, the product of a myriad of experiences, teachings and interactions. Each one of us has so much to share, but sometimes the opportunity to do so is lacking. 

I've spent a lot of time in my life trying to impress the wrong people. But several years ago, I started to recognise my worth. All those public holidays spent reading to become the best teacher I can be; the many all-nighters spent planning the perfect sequence of lessons when many students these days simply don't care; the intricate feedback comments that are barely read by students or their parents. Ultimately, however, all of this time and effort hasn't amounted to nothing. The product is a teacher who thinks critically and who has something of worth to share with her students. I have been very fortunate to receive fantastic feedback in recent years from parents whose children I tutor. My teaching is being witnessed in their homes, its merits evaluated. In schools, limits are set on what I am able to contribute, but outside of that context, the sky is the limit. - Mel

Dream a little dream...

Seconds after taking this photo, the butterfly dropped away from its chrysalis

and started to flap its wings. It was such a wonderful sight to see...

Photo taken at Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam

"Dream with me, escape with me, fly with me, imagine you are everything you've ever wanted to be. Dream, dream, dream..."

This is an excerpt from a song I remember vividly from a Shopfront Theatre musical I was in as a child. The world can be a harsh judge and it can laugh in the face of 'silly' dreams. It saddens me that people in our culture judge a person's worthiness by their occupation. Even as a school teacher, and an extremely dedicated one at that, people often ridicule the profession. When I had a break from it for five years, I lived my dream to be creatively employed each and every day, However, it was crazy to witness just how many people criticise teachers. The biggest shock was the appreciation I received from customers such as brides, grooms, parents and makers for my commercial creations. Why aren't words of wisdom and innovative teaching strategies as highly prized by the average citizen? Truly bizarre society we live in...

Nevertheless, I still love teaching and I can remember many wonderful interactions I've had with students. I fondly remember a casual teaching day I once did at Caringbah Public School in 1998. This wonderful little Year 1 class just loved their day so much. Out of their own accord, during lunchtime I presume, a number of them got together and wrote little notes for me, which they presented at the end of the school day. I was just one random teacher in the scheme of many they must've met, yet their display of kindness for my efforts to give them a unique day whilst their regular teacher was sick just astounded me. I still have those notes...

Since going part-time as a teacher and starting my own home-tutoring business, I must say that my life has been calmer. I have been able to focus on what really matters in life: savouring special interactions with people and being an encouraging presence...

Significantly, I have had more time to look around me and appreciate just how lucky I am despite not leading the perfect life, materially, that some Aussies strive for, and despite my lack of worldly success. Because life is not measured by our external representations, but by who we really are as people. I encourage you to appreciate the beauty of life, rather than gripe about the dreams that you haven't yet been fulfilled. I know that this change in mindset has completely changed my outlook on life, and definitely for the better :) - Mel

Persuasion (2022)

I’ve read the novel and seen all the films. I love, love, love Austen but I’m not a purist - coexistence of all texts is possible in my mind. Overall, I enjoyed the 2022 Netflix production of Persuasion. While it's more of an 'free adaptation' than a 'commentary' or 'transposition', it is a decidedly refreshing interpretation of the original text.

Implausible Parts

1. It seems unlikely that the Anne in this film could have been persuaded into doing anything against her will (she was 19 and Wentworth had no notability, so perhaps she was influenced).

2. Anne Elliot would have never pointed out that she was Charles Musgrave’s first choice for a wife.
3. Anne’s octopus story upon meeting Lady Dalrymple was quite simply bizarre.

Funny Moments

1. Allusions to 'Bridget Jones's Diary'
2. Anne’s sassy internal monologues 
3. Anne’s attempt to do a ‘bush wee’ (crude but relatable)

Unusual or Perplexing Elements

1.  Breaking of the 4th wall (once is nice; numerous is unnerving)
2. Rabbit motif (featured with Anne in several scenes)
3. Anne seeking a long, tight hug from her nephew to feel some affection (I’ve never been keen on adults soliciting such hugs from children in this manner.)
4. Wentworth is played as too stiff and formal, which clashes with Anne’s more relaxed persona.

Strengths

1. Shows the lovers’ past relationship at the start of the film, providing an insight into their bond
2. Gorgeous cinematography
3. Clever score and non-diegetic sound choices
4. First person point of view (Anne’s)
5. Louisa Musgrave's defence of Anne’s character (despite her own interest in Frederick Wentworth)

“Nobody tells you when you are young that life keeps going. It keeps going whether you approve of the progression or not. Eventually you find yourself wondering, ‘How did I end up here?’” (Anne Elliot)

Great artwork...

I love this artwork by artist Natalie Perkins. None of us want to be ignored but I'll admit that sometimes I appreciate it. Being ignored certainly makes you question your own significance. To me, it's a humbling experience and helps me maintain a realistic view of self. When I have really cared about people and projects - I mean passionately cared - with limited positive response or feedback, I used to keep beating that dead horse in an effort to gain respect or approval. I've since learned that life's too short to care deeply about those who don't notice it in the slightest. I'm learning to care more about those who, perhaps, I've ignored, and those who truly care about me. - Mel

Child Star Lee H. Montgomery

This post is a re-upload of a decades-old post from a different account.

I've always admired the actor Lee Harcourt Montgomery. He was a child star who appeared in quite a number of films and TV shows, the most memorable (in my opinion) being his later role in the 1985 teen flick 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' (GJWTHF). Lee was around 24 when he played Jeff Malene and, for the genre, his acting was very natural and emotive. For various reasons, which I won't go into here, the film had quite an impact on me.

As there aren't many old pics of Lee on the web, I've made the effort to create a few screen captures from GJWTHF. Lee really was gorgeous and I must rather embarrassingly confess that he became my ideal for the kind of guy I'd like to meet one day. In the process of getting these screen grabs, I realised just how expressive Lee was as an actor. He had obviously continued to refine his talent since childhood and had he kept performing, would have been an actor to be reckoned with.

Why did he decide to give up acting? Did he continue to audition for roles? Why doesn't he have much of a web presence? For someone who was once a teen heartthrob, he has certainly been keeping a pretty low profile. That's definitely his prerogative.

Lee went into music production in the 1990s, and later composed the music for the movie 'Legend of the Phantom Rider' (2002) and the short film 'Trespasses' (2005). 

These screen captures from GJWTHF are in sequential order. Click on individual pics for a larger view:

Finding out about the Dance TV contest

Boyish good looks suited to the teen movie genre

Meeting his soon-to-be dance partner for the first time

Smiling at his sister's antics

Rehearsing with his dance partner, Janey, for the first time

Being invited by antagonist, Natalie, to her Debutante Ball

Finding humour in the bedlam occurring at Natalie's Party
(with co-star Jonathan Silverman)

Meeting Janey to organise an official date

Be still, my beating heart

Protecting Janey from a guy who's moving in on her

After their first date - the scene of the first kiss

Honing their moves leading up to the big contest

Being cornered by J.P. Sands, Natalie's Dad (Jeff's Dad's boss)

Giving in to the threats and letting Janey down

Jeff, discussing his dilemma with his father

Janey finally arrives at the TV studio

Psyching each other up for the final dance-off

I hope you've enjoyed this nostalgic post about Lee Harcourt Montgomery, an actor who made an impact for a short time in the scheme of things, but who will not be forgotten. Here's a more recent pic of Lee Montgomery on the web. He's alive and well and working at what he loves! I won't go into details because I don't want to infringe on his privacy.

I'm glad to find out that he's still involved in the industry and is able to share his experiences and talents on a wider scale. Good one, Lee! We will have to finally accept that acting on the big screen is merely a part of your past...

Comments

Anonymous Tuesday, 11 October, 2011

Wow, it was great to read this. Lee Montgomery was amazing in that movie. I wonder why he didn't get many other gigs. I'll always remember how cute he was, even though he's much older now.

Anonymous Thursday, 05 April, 2012

Thank u for this site because I also wondered what happened to him.

Anonymous Saturday, 24 October, 2020

Me too! I always thought he was an amazing actor, and always thought he might come back to acting...we all miss you lee!!!

Anonymous Saturday, 24 October, 2020

I agree 100% I miss those times..and really wish we could find out more about him but he seems like he wants to remain private.

Anonymous Monday, 18 June, 2012

I only saw Girls Just Want to Have Fun for the first time recently and totally fell for him, what a gorgeous guy. Strange how hard it is to find out anything about him given how much we rely on the internet for instant information these days! He must really want to draw a line behind his past. Thanks for posting this!

Anonymous Friday, 22 June, 2012

The more I read, the more I think that Lee's move into music in the late 80's might have made it quite hard to get back into the acting scene or, after 17 or so years of acting, he had come to the end. I recently looked Lee Montgomery up in fb and found out that he will be attending the 'Hollywood Show' weekend this August (2012) for the first time (with his sister Belinda Montgomery). If you live in LA you could meet him and buy an autographed pic!

Anonymous Friday, 22 June, 2012

I swear he was a dancer in a car commercial last year...Toyota I think. The guy looked just like him but older of course, but what caught my eye was that he did the same thing as in the Girls Fun movie, where he swung thru a poster during the dance audition, but I cant find any info.

Melanie Saturday, 23 June, 2012

Really? I saw a clip of Lee Montgomery on the web recently and he was quite bald. He looked in great shape physically, but had lost most of his hair :( Do you think it could have been him? This is a recent impression I saw of him:

http://woodcuttingfool.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/actor.html

Unknown Thursday, 04 October, 2012

I still have movies with him in them now. My grand kids enjoy the family movies, He was and is very nice.

Anonymous Wednesday, 10 October, 2012

Yeah sad he disappeared. Wonder why? Would love to hear how he is. Just weird he completely disappeared and can't find anything. Thanks for updated info.

Melanie Thursday, 07 February, 2013

Thanks, Mitch Clem, for the lovely email :) I did reply to your message but perhaps it went to your 'Junk' or 'Spam' folder. It was great to hear from someone who was part of the movie-making experience in the 80's! It was a simpler time, what with its montages, and soppy endings... but I loved it!

Gail Bartley Gannon Monday, 13 January, 2014

I would really like to meet Lee again, lots has happened since public school where we both went when we were very young in Highland Creek, I work at Walmart still in West Hill. Gail Bartley Gannon

Anonymous Friday, 11 April, 2014

Just watched gjwhf "again" lol love this film and Lee you are and always will be easy on my eye xx

trish Thursday, 01 May, 2014

Love Lee Montgomery. I'm 40 and I watch girls just want to have fun now and then still to this day. He was awesome in that movie and love see him in more films now.

Anonymous Friday, 29 August, 2014

I am so glad to know he's alive and well! I was a tot (now 36) but had a huge crush back when GJWTHF was out in the 80's. I have looked and looked myself...just wish I knew a little more... is he married? Does he have kids? Does anyone know?? :(

Anonymous Tuesday, 30 December, 2014

He was not the only 'child' actor to disappear from the movie scene... remember Jason Presson? Same All-American boy, heart throb to girls/women everywhere. I wonder how much of their disappearances is due to the nasty secrets hidden behind Hollywood's closed doors. It's sick, really, the prices some of these youngsters have to pay to stay in the game [aka the two Coreys]. Anyways, would love to hear directly from him but appreciate the desire to avoid publicity. Thanks for a movie that brings me back to a much better time in my life, Mr. M!

Anonymous Wednesday, 29 April, 2015

Lee was in his late 20's when he stopped appearing in films. It was probably a personal choice. Lee does not strike me as the kind of person to get caught up in it all, which is why he probably chose a more private life. I once chatted online with someone who was in a film with him. Lee was just a carefree guy with lots of talent. He never took the whole thing too seriously--more power to him!

Anonymous Wednesday, 29 April, 2015

For some recent pics of Lee with fans, google 'Monster Mania Lee Montgomery' and click on the images tab. Or, go to the facebook tribute page for 'Lee Montgomery'. There are heaps of great pics.

Anonymous Friday, 18 September, 2015

I miss Lee Montgomery, growing up I would stay up late just to watch him, In movies like Ben and Burnt offerings, and also episodes of colombo, just to name a few.Lee I wish you would tell your fans who miss you your ok.you always had beautiful and expressive eyes that showed when you were happy or sad. I respect your privacy, but we would love to hear your ok. Thanks J.R.

Anonymous Saturday, 24 October, 2020

You said it all about his eyes... very true all his fans are wondering what happened to this child actor who was also quite a good actor... we all miss you lee!

Jules Sunday, 08 November, 2015

It's been questioned whether Lee is/was married. Sadly for those of us still nursing our teenage fantasies, I have discovered that to be true. I recently had the opportunity to buy a few slides of photos taken of Lee back in the late '80s. When they arrived, I was stunned to see one of them had the caption "Lee Montgomery with Wife" written on the white cardboard border. He is pictured with a pretty brunette. Both look very happy. In one of the other photos, he is clearly wearing a wedding band. Recently, I was perusing Lee's bio in an original "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" press kit. The last paragraph begins, "Married last spring to actress/screenwriter Carol Burkett..." In the recent photos taken at various conventions, he is NOT wearing a ring, so it's quite possible he is no longer married.

Melanie Sunday, 08 November, 2015

Yes, apparently Lee was married many years ago but it ended not too long afterwards. It was so long ago, and before the internet, that not much has been publicised about it. It is amazing that you still have/were able to obtain an original "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" press kit! Fabulous film with a few die-hard fans still around the place :)

Michael David Colasante Wednesday, 06 January, 2016

Cool to find this place. Very nice interview on the burnt offerings Blu-ray which I'm sure you all know. Good to see Lee and hear his stories. He was in so much good stuff when I was a kid. Now I'm 42. -Mike in Cleveland Ohio

Anonymous Sunday, 28 February, 2016

https://bloodypopcorn.com/2013/08/21/monster-mania-25-photos/#jp-carousel-743

This has a current photo of Lee H. Montgomery today

Anonymous Thursday, 01 September, 2016

hey, fellow leemaniacs: check out this video of a lee montgomery ON-CAMERA INTERVIEW!! it's a bonus feature on the 2015 dvd/blu-ray re-release of 'burnt offerings', which came out in oct. of '15, which would probably place the interview at somewhere in earlier '15, so about a year old as of this posting.

the interview focuses mainly on 'b.o.', but also touches on his early career, generally, which is very cool to hear his stories of & general feeling about (all positive).

it's 16 mins & some, but of course it should be 6 HRS long, touching on not only his '80s career, but also why the hell he left us at the alter, what he's been up to all this time, what his favorite color is, etc, etc - but it is what it is, and more than I thought would ever be happen, so it's a treasure for sure.

he seems happy, healthy, and is clearly as sweet a soul as ever. check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYU-QCbiCSM

or just search youtube for 'lee montgomery interview'

Melanie Tuesday, 20 September, 2016

Thank you for your contributions and for sending through another YouTube clip of Lee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TaEw-46uq0

I could not post your latest message as it was a little lengthy. 'Til next time :)

Bonnie Brown Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Yes, I loved all of his movies too. I was watching one of the movies he played in called Baker's Hawk. It made me think of him and I started Googling. I was thinking the same thing. I didn't find out much, but I did find out that he and I share a birthday. Mine is Nov. 3 1968. He's a little older than me and yes I had a crush on him too when Girls just wanta have fun came out. I was about 17 when that movie came and loved it.

Billy V Monday, 29 May, 2017

I knew Lee Montgomery well in the mid 1980's when he was married to Carole Burkett. Her brother Phil was one of my best friends, and was then terminally ill and at the end of his life. He spent his last few weeks on Carole's parents' farm outside of San Antonio. Lee came to visit with Carole, and later I met him again when Carole's sister Molly got married on the Burkett's family ranch near San Antonio. He was so pleasant and caring to my friend, and much loved by his in-laws. Phi Burkett was an Army Ranger, wounded in Vietnam and I thought of them all tonight as I watched the 2017 Memorial Day Concert in Washington DC. I found this thread while Googling his family. If anyone knows of him or Carol, give them my best. Billy V, New York

K.T Monday, 29 January, 2018

Billy, Carole is in NYC. I know she would like to talk to you. How to reach you?

Anonymous Sunday, 25 October, 2020

Looks like Lee is now a real estate agent: https://reach150.com/m/review/36851/nexthome-decker-realty-lee-montgomery-solvang-ca

Anonymous Thursday, 03 December, 2020

He was super duper hot in GJWHF but did not age well. He must be one super heavy smoker judging by all the wrinkles and mainly his voice in this interview even though he is only around 60.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4sgIP6lAaw 

He was great in GJWHF - such a great film I never tire from.

Anonymous Thursday, 05 January, 2023

I can't agree more - he was soooo adorable

musicmanbamman Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

I think he was so adorable as a kid star and grew into such a hot hunk in movies like "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". That hairy chest! Just KILL ME !! He is working in real estate in California now for many years, has never come out of the closet but hey, his life is his own. An actor's sexuality is really none of the public's business. A really sweet, talented guy. God bless Lee H. Montgomery!

Anonymous Tuesday, 04 June, 2024
Omg! That’s so crazy because after watching and interview I also got the gay vibes!! As long as he’s happy!!

Anonymous Saturday, 04 February, 2023

I just watched Burnt Offerings and started to wonder what happened to Lee and here I am. Grew up with this good looker and enjoyed his acting.

Love ya Lee H Montgomery!

Kellzg Friday, 13 October, 2023

He's a real estate agent in southern California now.

Anonymous Thursday, 03 April, 2025

In his realtor pictures, he is bald. His voice sounds like there was a lot of smoking cigarettes through the years since he doesn’t even sound close to Jeff Malene. And yes, I called his cell phone# when I thought it was his office number. I was on a GJWTHF movie binge watching and wanted to hear his voice. I had no idea it would go to his cell phone 🙈

Anonymous Wednesday, 16 July, 2025

Here are some current photos of Lee Montgomery: 

https://images.app.goo.gl/WQ6cQNRtwDHXXvQs8

To add a contribution, please get in touch:

Web view: Send me an email via the 'Contact' form on the right-hand side of this blog.

Mobile view: Click on my blogger profile, visit my website and contact me through there.

Knowledge empowers...

I have so much admiration for the parents who hire me to tutor their child/ren. And it's not because they pay me! It's the value they have for education and the understanding that it sets their child up for a life of greater choices and opportunities. Tutoring complements and adds value to school experiences and can help boost independence and a positive self concept. Moreover, tutoring goes beyond the school curriculum and crosses into the development of thinking, research and important life skills. Parents who are willing to outlay their hard-earned cash to increase their child's knowledge and feelings of self-efficacy are truly remarkable. I often reflect on how I would have loved to have a tutor when I was at school! (Quote in image is attributed to Bruce Lee.)

- Mel