Quote:
Originally Posted by Aclea
Yet a million miles away from the 'glamorous' male leading men you're complaining about. And Hollywood has always had them in every era. Even Robinson worked at the same studio as Errol Flynn, William Powell and Richard Barthelmess while in Walter Matthau's most successful years the box-office charts were topped by the likes of Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Ryan O'Neal, Warren Beatty and Burt Reynolds.
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At least for me, I don't think the conversion is about handsome leading men, because yes, you're right, Hollywood has had that aesthetic from close to its inception. The beautiful leading man role really took off after WWI. Cinema needed more champions.
The "problem" today is a.) for some reason many, but not all, of the Hollywood Handsome actors can't act and b.) there are few roles for the average Joe who
can act, and c.) everyone is beautiful in the ensemble cast, unless they pick one or two people for comedic relief.
The above mentioned
High Society (1956) is a perfect example of an ensemble cast that wouldn't fly today. Everyone is in their 40s-50s, with Grace Kelly creeping up on 30.
Key Largo (1948) - Bogey was almost 50, Eddie was in his 50s, with Bacall being the infant at 24. At least it's not like
Funny Face (1956) where the love interest between Astaire and Hepburn is almost creepy. Almost. I can't help but to laugh.
Who's going to pair young actresses with geezers today? I haven't seen one.