Cary Grant and Hats

[Brian Sheridan]

Havent found the measurements yet but did read this from a London bespoke clothing maker.

Made to Measure Tailoring

Cary Grant had an unusually large head in comparison to his body, so he had the shoulders on his suits cut wider with more padding to compensate.

He realised the importance of quality tailoring and was once reported as saying;

"All I have to do is point my Suit at the Camera and Smile"

 

[Feraud]

I am again going to ask for specifics and proof. So far there have been no measurements to prove Grant had odd proportions. Nor have there been any photographs shown here to support the statements.
Why does this rumor persist??

I received Torrgrossa's book on Grant. Based on photographs, his numerous films, video biographies, and the World Wide Web, I have seen no evidence that Grant had any physical flaws to compensate for!! If Cary had flaws they were on the inside only.

Cary Grant obviously loved style and fashion and took great pains to project the best parts of himself. The repeated and unfounded talk about his uncommon body shape is ridiculous.

If you take into consideration Grants proportions I believe they equal out to zero, making his body type dare I say "normal"? It is said he had large head, gymnasts neck, etc. etc. Poppycock!!

Does anyone see a thick neck, gymnast's shoulders, or apparently large skull?

The defense rests.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

In the first photo ^^ i see a big (almost absurdly large) head on slim shoulders. it even looks like it's been photoshopped on there (not that i'm saying it has been, it just looks that way). In the second photo ^ i do not see this. Depends upon the angle, i guess. Since the first is the angle at which most filming is done, there may be some credence to the stories.[huh]

bk

 

[Feraud]

It is possible photo #1, showing an older Grant is photoshopped.
Let us all take note that the second photo showing a young Grant, where everything appears normal is where one should see the oft quoted "thick nec, too large head", etc.!
The claim is Cary Grant's vaudeville days gave him the thick neck or shoulders.

Does anyone really see it?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

he certainly does not have wide shoulders.

I realise where you're coming from Feraud. Flusser perpetuates all these stories, and everyone believes them, but there are almost never any sources given.

The best angle for seeing a thick neck is straight on. Any photos of that (i can't be bothered finding them for myself, but i have seen photos where he seems to have a "fatneck" - that is, football playing bozo neck)

bk

 

[Tomasso]

"Films?" Grant shook his head. "You know, if some people had their way, I should never have made any films. I failed my first screen test. The director thought my neck was too thick. And he was right."

 

[Baron Kurtz]

he he I knew there was a quote like that somewhere (again, i just couldn't be bothered finding it).

bk

 

[Feraud]

"Films?" Grant shook his head. "You know, if some people had their way, I should never have made any films. I failed my first screen test. The director thought my neck was too thick. And he was right."

I have the sneaking suspicion Grant had a wonderful sense of self deprecating humor. I thought he also flunked his first screen test due to being a bit bowlegged.
Thick neck?

Perhaps a bit long but not thick.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

okay

head and shoulders. I'd say his head looks big in this photo.

bk

 

[Feraud]

True. That is a good shot. So Grant was about 6-6 ft. 2 inches?
I wonder if the cross legged position is making him look odd..

 

[Tomasso]

His neck was "Only" 17 inches,

head and shoulders. I'd say his head looks big

but it sat on relatively small shoulders and his head was HUGE!

 

[Harp]

fftopic: Just like those Hitchcock 'cameo' scenes!

 

[nulty]

I think Cary Grant was one of those guys who just din't look comfortable in a fedora. Not that he looked bad, just not comfortable.

Grants body language worked in 2 ways. You notice the grace of his movements from the shoulders down. Then you notice the intensity and style of his facial expressions. The eyes were very intense. Anything distracting from these images is not necessary.

The few times I've seen him in a fedora , it was often a porkpie style or a narrow brim and the hat just never seemed a part of him..

 

[Brian Sheridan]

Geez...I didn't know this would touch off such a nerve. I can't believe the arguing that's going on. Freaud needs to switch to de-caf. I'm a huge Grant fan (as big as Grant's head) and even saw him up close and in person during an "Evening with Cary Grant" performance in Cleveland. The seriousness some people are taking this thread is a little ridiculous.

BRS

 

[Solid Citizen]

Thank You!

Brian Sheridan,

Thanks I concur with you! Look this is after all
a "chat" page

sc

Ps Welcome to the FL.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

i don't know that anyone's taking it very seriously. It's merely a discussion . . . and for this place a rather civil one. You don't want to be around when a real argument breaks out (ie. men's underwear: boxers or briefs, silk or cotton and the aesthetics thereof).

bk

 

[Feraud]

Geez...I didn't know this would touch off such a nerve. I can't believe the arguing that's going on. Freaud needs to switch to de-caf. I'm a huge Grant fan (as big as Grant's head) and even saw him up close and in person during an "Evening with Cary Grant" performance in Cleveland. The seriousness some people are taking this thread is a little ridiculous.

BRS

This is not an arguement. It is a discussion, and a very civil one at that. The point of the discussion is to try to clarify the persistent, and oft-repeated physical anomolies Grant supposedly had. I am not doing this for my benefit but for all those who walk around spouting such unfounded rumor. Of course, I do not expect any apprecation for it.
De-Caf? Blah. That is a drink for wimps!! This great country was founded on caffeinated men spreading across the continent.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

.

I have said it before, but Cary rarely had hats that suited him. One of the worst was in "Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House."

Also, if you remember in the wonderful "The Bishop's Wife," Dudley is ready to go outside and the housekeeper stops him.

"Don't you need a hat?" She asks him, "You'll catch cold."
"I never wear them. The cold doesn't effect me," he says, or something to that effect.

You see, it wasn't JFK, it was Dudley, the angel, who killed hat wearing in the US.

 

[Feraud]

You see, it wasn't JFK, it was Dudley, the angel, who killed hat wearing in the US.

Right! :eusa_clap

 

[Tomasso]

Freaud needs to switch to de-caf.

Or, at least every other cup de-caf.