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George Clooney, You're No Cary Grant
What happened to real film stars with real faces? I’m talking Cary Grant caliber, who brought not only savoir faire to film but had that “It” factor that ruled Tinseltown, especially in the late, great ‘30s.
George Clooney may be close, but no cigar. His talent and choices have ebbed and flowed, and he can still open a movie with legs, but let’s face it: He’s just another Hollywood entertainer. Pretty and talented but not the heartthrob of those studs.
I was weaned on Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Paul Newman, Audrey Hepburn, Edward G. Robinson, Bogart & Bacall, Katherine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Mitchum. Just to skim the star cream.
Manly men. Manly women. Who cared or even doubted sexuality in the way-back machine?
These were “faces” bound with mega-wattage talent. No doubt their oversized screen presence and unreachable star status created mystery and intrigue. Was he gay? Was she? Great press.
I miss story lines that had a purpose and real-deal actors, not cartoons ripped off from previous films (“Up” for example, which I found tedious and boring.)
And if we’re not bombarded by CGI and 3D we’re treated to remakes of comic-book heroes. Are you going to see the “G.I. Joe" movie?” Or another fabled Nazi story, regardless of its glorious weekend? Does a movie that features baseball bat-head-bashing have legs?
And those “chick” flicks: indispensible Renee, Julia and Sandra. Yawn. These are talented stars? Granted, they make a zillion dollars, but for us plebs, their movies are typically dreckful and unfunny.
When I read last year a remake of “The Women” was in the works, I ordered two copies of the original and held hostage friends who were planning to see the dreadful remake. After watching the antics of those glorious “faces” and witty dialogue that didn’t depend on men how could anyone torture themselves with a crap redo? They never got to the remake, thank you. Why mess with perfection?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m planning to see “Julia & Julie” because Meryl Streep may be the only one of her generation to generate as much heat as light.
Jane Fonda used to really, really try and did, a few times, before descending into B-list, video-hawking tapes and sharing her food disorders. Cameron? What did she ever do that didn’t depend on sight gags and pouty lips?
We need faces! Not teenage boys posing for the dreaded paps or teenage girls practicing stripper moves on poles, known more for their boring lives picking up coffee than producing anything of real value.
Thankfully, there are alternatives to the dreck that’s mostly served at the multiplex. TCM shows the oldies but goodies, and once in a while you’ll find a video store (not B or N) that stocks indies and classics. When they had faces.
And don’t get me started on Disney’s plan to redo the trippy, perfect “Yellow Submarine.” They’ll probably go all politically correct and rename the Blue Meanies the “Green Friendlies” whose purpose is to rid the planet of plastic bags.
It’s one thing to see Disney-fied Bambi’s mother get taken out, it’s quite another to have the perfect Beatles cartoon turned into soft, cuddly rule-abiding druggies. No animals were harmed during the making of “YS.”
Even those guys had faces -- just rent “A Hard Day’s Night” and tell me you don’t love the scene when Ringo wanders off, sad and lonely and kicks rocks into a river.
If we can’t have the real Cary Grant, at least we have him forever on celluloid. This “real stars” will always be ready for their close-up, sans pratfalls or junk in their hair.
I’m just sayin.’
Comments
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Linda Says
I couldn't agree more. Nobody is memorable. Just saw "Inglorious Basterds". What? We all left perplexed. Forget a story line. Forget good acting. So tired of the ballyhoo around C actors. Where are the interesting mature faces with some training?
Linda Says
I couldn't agree more. Nobody is memorable. Just saw "Inglorious Basterds". What? We all left perplexed. Forget a story line. Forget good acting. So tired of the ballyhoo around C actors. Where are the interesting mature faces with some training?
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val Says
I completely agree with what Naomi Serviss. Our film industry is run by a bunch of producers who care only to make a buck, lacking complete filmmaking talent. Their sole purpose is to cater to kiddies and superficial moronic audiences while underestimating every audience member's intelligence. Just because a movie rakes in a crap load of money, doesn't mean it's a good movie. I'm a 26 year old film buff who cannot fathom watching a stupid movie like "Beverly Hills Chiwawa." Has anyone noticed that real talented actors have now turned to TV movies ("Lifetime" anyone)? Thank goodness for TCM and Netflix.
Blap Farkman Says
Your writing is awful. Reading your blogs is synonymous with torture. You come across like a babbling, burbling idiot. Try and edit the cliched Web-speak -- "Don't get me wrong," "Don't get me started" etc. And get rid of the quotes around words such as "faces" -- instead of setting such words apart with quotes, why not try and write what you mean? They're the equivalent of using "air quotes" when speaking. Seriously, if you would only ratchet down these few things, your writing would come across as much more authoritative. Instead, your writing is moronic.
Blap Farkman Says
Your writing is awful. Reading your blogs is synonymous with torture. You come across like a babbling, burbling idiot. Try and edit the cliched Web-speak -- "Don't get me wrong," "Don't get me started" etc. And get rid of the quotes around words such as "faces" -- instead of setting such words apart with quotes, why not try and write what you mean? They're the equivalent of using "air quotes" when speaking. Seriously, if you would only ratchet down these few things, your writing would come across as much more authoritative. Instead, your writing is moronic.
SS19 Says
Now I realize why I am obsessed with Frank Sinatra, The Rat Pack and all that jazz! Thank you.
Melissa Bryant Says
I think part of the loss of the 'It' factor is that there is no veil of privacy now. Paparazzi are everywhere -- celeb shows and magazines and the internet have removed any mystique stars might have had at one time. It would be impossible to have another Gable or Monroe or Cary Grant or Elvis Presley -- technology no longer allows that 'wall' of mystery.
But of those out there today, George Clooney comes closest. He is definitely classier than most others, even when his dating/film choices don't always prove it. He seems to be a gentleman, he looks clean and appropriate for whatever occasion, he doesn't try too hard to look young, he's very smart. I think he is BETTER than Cary Grant! I'm just sayin....
annegc1 Says
the real problem is that even Cary Grant would not be Cary Grant in the area of the internet, tabloids and whatever... and perhaps, it's time to enjoy what we have instead of trying to examine stars of nowadays in the light of the ones of a totally other area where everything was totally different. The stars we have, Clooney and others, are more than just fine and have done many great things that suggest they are exactly who they are instead of trying to be someone else.
Stan Says
People didn't question the "It" entertainers' sexuality back in the day? I think it's fairly well-known that as charming and debonair as he was, Cary lived a lie...and was at the very least bi-sexual. But I digress....
Just Sayin' 2 Says
The reason very few in Hollywood have that "it" factor, IMHO, is that so few are as grounded as those stars of yesteryear. Now, don't get me wrong; I'm sure every actor you mentioned had a few skeletons in their closet (who of us don't?), but when you think of folks like John Wayne, or Jimmy Stewart, or either of the Hepburn ladies, you also get the sense that they had a normal upbringing. They were grounded in something more solid and eternal.
Today's stars, with the exception of a Tom Hanks, Will Smith or Jim Caviezel, seem to have some sort of angst going on that reduces them to high school children trying to be the most popular member of a clique.