Hollywood 'Pretty Boys'
August 27th 2010 22:30
When did it become apparent that the wheel 'turned' in Hollywood.
For over 60 years we regailed in paying homage to male stars who were men's men, tough, unrelenting, rugged types with chiseled features grit and attitude.
Then almost overnight came the advent of the 'pretty boy'.
In days gone by I guess James Dean, Steve McQueen, even Robert Redford could have been marketed in the same fashion - but the Hollywood moguls chose differently. Perhaps it was the tide of public sentiment, who knows.
But some time during the late 70s and early 80s, pretty started to replace tough on our screens.
Travolta has been cited as one of the initial 'hyrbids' - a pretty face with a edgy yet compassion side. Then followed in quick succession the likes of Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Brad Pitt et al.
Today, with their wide-set eyes, narrow noses, rounded jaw lines and carefully placed strands of layered hair, these facesm many male leads have become eerily feminine with Chace Crawford, Zac Efron, and Ian Somerhalder in our sights.
And because these actors have an almost identical look, they've even become interchangeable for various franchise films and romantic comedies.
But who are (or have been) Hollywood's 'prettiest' boys?
Then almost overnight came the advent of the 'pretty boy'.
In days gone by I guess James Dean, Steve McQueen, even Robert Redford could have been marketed in the same fashion - but the Hollywood moguls chose differently. Perhaps it was the tide of public sentiment, who knows.
But some time during the late 70s and early 80s, pretty started to replace tough on our screens.
Travolta has been cited as one of the initial 'hyrbids' - a pretty face with a edgy yet compassion side. Then followed in quick succession the likes of Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Brad Pitt et al.
Today, with their wide-set eyes, narrow noses, rounded jaw lines and carefully placed strands of layered hair, these facesm many male leads have become eerily feminine with Chace Crawford, Zac Efron, and Ian Somerhalder in our sights.
And because these actors have an almost identical look, they've even become interchangeable for various franchise films and romantic comedies.
But who are (or have been) Hollywood's 'prettiest' boys?
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Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I think they market pretty boys now because they are more what the world wants. When studios marketed the man's man it was during a time when children and teenagers were seen and not heard and their $$ spend at cinemas was zero. It was also during a fake time when the Marlboro man was a hero, not a cancer killing marketing machine.
Now teenagers, younger children and genuine people want what they want, and that is things of beauty, not men who can carry a log on their shoulder.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The pretty boy actor/teen heartthrob has always had a place in cinema though. The teen idols like Ricky Nelson, Frankie Avalon and Fabian were much the same as today's product.
It could be argued that Cary Grant was a pretty boy without masculinity, but then he did have a sense of individuality that is lacking in today's commodities.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
You really hit a sore spot of mine!!!!!
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Daniel Radcliffe has done quite a bit more than the series with Australian film December Boys being very well made. He also stars in the theatre production Equus (that is probably spelt wrong) and Emma Watson would never pose for Playboy - she is way too prudish
I think you will also be surprised at how far Zac Efron will rise in stardom and not solely for those looks. He has been meeting with Leo for career direction coaching and his films are going from strength to strength. The jury is still out on Taylor Lautner - so far we have only seen his pecs acting. Haha
Comment by soapgirl
TV Babble
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
It just took Hollywood some years to start casting teens as teens, instead of 25 to 30 year olds playing them.
I also agree with James, Leonardo Di Caprio is damn fine actor, from Gilbert Grap onwards, although there have been a few misses.
As for the vampire phenomenon, I actually have not taken an interest in it, precisely because it was obviously cast for looks instead of acting ability, maybe one day I will
check one of them out...once they are on DVD and I'm really bored!
cheers
fog