Which Classic movie character inspires you most?

[vonwotan]

OK, here it goes. Between my interest in all things deco, and the more masculine dandy in film (later 20's-30s and later) I would have to say that more than Bond and the british spy of the Cold War years, Gaston Monescu from Ernst Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise (Paramount, 1932) as played by Herbert Marshall is the character that most inspires me. A dandy but still very much masculine who succeeds by his wit and intelligence. His elegance and charm appeals to women, he is a bon vivant, always impecably dressed set in a backdrop of the very modern and urban Art Deco society.

 

[Son_of_Atropos]

As Ashley WIlkes and SIr Percy

Leslie Howard

 

[Cousin Hepcat]

#1 - Gary Cooper in The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944).
#2 - Cary Grant as Johnny Case, in Holiday (1938).
#3:

(Serious answer: George Bailey. Although to this day I find it hard to believe that NOBODY else in town would've dated Mary if George didn't exist; Donna Reed was adorable.)

:eusa_clap Agreed, Doh. Never bought that part of the story either.

- C H

 

[Fleagirl]

Breaking the gender boundaries....Elwood P. Dowd from Harvey. Elwood is so sweet, so innocent and kind. He accepts everyone with open arms and is a pure gentleman. He makes no judgments of others and expects nothing in return for his generosity.

In the past few years I've realized all these traits are ones I'd like to have, but really don't. I have to work not to make snap judgements; generosity of spirit doesn't come easily to me. So yes, Elwood P. Dowd is an inspiration to me.

Pressed to come up with a female inspiration I'd have to agree with Hildy Johnson from His Girl Friday. A strong woman in a man's world--takes no guff and gets the job done. But at the core there's a susceptible heart....

 

[Fleagirl]

Mitchum in anything.

Eeek! All I can think of is Mitchum's Harry Powell in Night of the Hunter...chasing after those terrified children in the dark of night. It was a scene that creeped me long after I saw it.

 

[Sweet Polly Purebred]

Krazy Kat.

Smooch, Lil' Ainjil

 

[Sweet Polly Purebred]

Maureen O'Hara in "The Quiet Man"
Katherine Hepburn in "Rooster Cogburn"

 

[Haversack]

The Weenie King in _The Palm Beach Story_.

Haversack.

 

[Hondo]

Joel McCrae's character in "Sullivan's Travels". What a story.
(He ends up with the incredible Veronica Lake! )

I have that DVD, just haven't gotten around to see it all And also McCrae's western characters. Another is Gregory Peck, as kid and young man I dreamed of being like him, mannerism, gentleman, quite an impack or image

 

[Jerekson]

Boba Fett.

If anybody can imagine Boba Fett wearing a double-breasted suit and a wide brimmed fedora, that's exactly the look I'm going for out on the street

 

[Jerekson]

Nien Numb

Co-pilot extraordinaire.

Um, excuse me...

But Droopy McCool is clearly the better choice.

 

[jake_fink]

Um, excuse me...

But Droopy McCool is clearly the better choice.

Was that you snapping pix of me in the sauna!?! :rage:

 

[Twitch]

W.C. Fields for all the obvious reasons.lol

 

[Mike1939]

[

#
#2 - Cary Grant as Johnny Case, in Holiday (1938).

- C H[/QUOTE]


Definatly a inspiring character:eusa_clap I'll have to add that to my list.

 

[Diamondback]

Boba Fett.

If anybody can imagine Boba Fett wearing a double-breasted suit and a wide brimmed fedora, that's exactly the look I'm going for out on the street

With the helmet, and the fedora on top of it?

Mine
Vintage personalities:
MacArthur
Patton
Robert McCall (Edward Woodward's character in Equalizer--an old, retired, hacked-off and guilt-ridden 007-type who tries to use his skills to right others' wrongs; yeah, it's '80s, but Woodward's not exactly a young actor!)

More modern:
Agent K (as depicted in the first Men in Black)
the various incarnations of Model 101/800/850 Terminator

 

[Mike1939]

Breaking the gender boundaries....Elwood P. Dowd from Harvey. Elwood is so sweet, so innocent and kind. He accepts everyone with open arms and is a pure gentleman. He makes no judgments of others and expects nothing in return for his generosity.

In the past few years I've realized all these traits are ones I'd like to have, but really don't. I have to work not to make snap judgements; generosity of spirit doesn't come easily to me. So yes, Elwood P. Dowd is an inspiration to me.

Pressed to come up with a female inspiration I'd have to agree with Hildy Johnson from His Girl Friday. A strong woman in a man's world--takes no guff and gets the job done. But at the core there's a susceptible heart....

I think we could all benefit having a few of Elwood P. Dowd's traits. As for Hildy,

 

[imoldfashioned]

If I had to pick one character to emulate generally it would be Myrna Loy as Nora Charles, but she was great in so many films, particularly anything with William Powell. I love Myrna because she's smart, funny, loving, handled dangerous situations with aplomb and wore great hats.

For a romantic inspriation it would be Dorothy Malone as the Acme Bookstore proprietress in The Big Sleep all the way. It's a tiny part but I just love her--and who wouldn't want to seduce Bogart?

 

[Kodiak]

Stewart Granger as Allan Quatermain in King Solomon's Mines.

The film is so inaccurate compared to the book, but Granger portrays that character so well... he is calm and cool and reflective, yet has an edge. He is never joking... gotta love that character.

I would say that Atticus Finch in the book version of To Kill a Mockingbird is a pretty big influence on me. He lived his life the right way, with his flaws yes, but he was better than his flaws. And he defied tradition when tradition was wrong. Great character as well.

 

[Feraud]

I was recently watching Richard Widmark in Madigan and thought his look is great.
He has the late 60s NYC cop look going on.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

The other week I went to see 'The Best Years of Our Lives' on the big screen.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0036868/


Peggy Stephenson was just a spectacular character....strong, yet still very feminine.