My Dream Man
Let’s start off this post this way: I’m a nineteen year-old girl. My best friend is also a nineteen year-old girl (we’re only born nine days apart, how awesome is that?). What else do nineteen year-old best friends do? First and foremost we gossip. A lot. About friends, family, people we hate, boys we like, and boys who like us. We also shop. Just two days ago, we went to the Columbus Circle Mall, where I spent $50 on new makeup and $100 on a Father’s Day gift for my dad (HE BETTER BE HAPPY WITH IT). And lastly, we talk about our dream man. The man that is perfect in our eyes, but probably doesn’t exist or is so unattainable and impossible to get. She lusts after the likes of Michael Fassbender and Gerard Butler while I lust after the likes of Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, and Errol Flynn. I don’t have a classic movie buddy. Sadly, I’ve never met anyone younger than 80 who loves the classics, so whenever I discuss my dream man with my friend, it’s a very…one-sided conversation. So, I’ll share my dream man with you guys, people who actually understand what I’ll be talking about!
- I love light-colored eyes in a man, blue eyes being my particular favorite. My dream man would have beautiful blue eyes like Gabe or Coop. They would be bright and hypnotizing…just look at Coop’s!!!
- I am also incredibly attracted by a man’s smile, especially when he has a wide, genuine, dimpled smile that shows his nice teeth (I also insist on nice teeth, white and straight. No crooked teeth, yellowed teeth, or gaps. Bad teeth scare me). Franchot Tone has a gorgeous smile when he shows his teeth. Also Clark Gable (his dimples just make me swoon) and Errol Flynn have great smiles that make my heart melt.
- I love dark features (with the exception of eyes, as I mentioned above). I love dark hair, dark lashes and eyebrows, and skin that can tan. I wouldn’t mind myself an Italian hunk like Rudy Valentino and I ESPECIALLY wouldn’t mind Cary Grant!
- I love foreign accents. To me, there is something so attractive about a man from another place. He can teach me a lot about his place of origin, from the mannerisms to the slang and cuss words. I love traveling and I’m fascinated by other places, and what better way to learn than from a wonderful foreign man while being hypnotized by his exotic accent? Rudy Valentino had a sexy Italian accent, Cary Grant had his distinctive mid-Atlantic accent, and Desi Arnaz had a cute Spanish accent (which Lucille Ball so lovingly imitated in I Love Lucy).
- I love a man with grace and poise. No klutzes for moi! I especially love a man who can show off some fancy footwork. A dancer is always fun, passionate, and exciting, like Fred Astaire or that gorgeous hunk named Gene Kelly! Donald O’Connor also gets me weak in the knees, even though he’s blond and I don’t usually go for blonds (actually, one of my exes was blond. He had green eyes and was drop-dead hilarious so that made up for it. There are exceptions to every rule!).
- I ADORE a funny man! Especially a funny man who doesn’t constantly brag about how funny he is. A man who is NATURALLY funny! What girl doesn’t want a man who can cheer her up on a bad day, is well-liked for his great personality, and can charm her, her friends, and her family off their feet? Hence why I am attracted to men who aren’t known for good looks, like Chaplin, Keaton, and the Marx Brothers (yes, to me, each one of them is cute in their own way!). A funny man is definitely on the top of my list of good qualities in a man!
- I love a man who is honest. This is more important to me than anything else. A liar=a douchebag. And trust me, I’ve dealt with so many liars as of late, and it is not pretty! I tend to share a lot of myself with someone I love, and I would like for them to honestly share themselves with me too. I don’t judge anyone, and as long as a man is honest, he holds my love and respect (and my respect doesn’t come easily). I’ve been told that I naturally never trust, and well, it’s because I’ve been lied to a lot, and for no good reason. At least when the classic movie actors were having affairs, they were dead honest about it! And sometimes, when talking about themselves, they would probably give a little too much information! I adore that. Clark Gable once said a very beautiful quote about Carole Lombard: “You can trust that little screwball with your life or your hopes or your weaknesses, and she wouldn’t even know how to think about letting you down.” Someday, I want a man who can be that honest with me. Honesty is sexy.
- Nothing gets me like a man with great wit! Intelligence and humor rolled into one? Excellent! My heart beats like a drum when I meet a man who has a way with words, who shares my sarcasm, and who owns an acid tongue. Men like William Powell and Laurence Olivier can sure make me swoon!
- What girl doesn’t love a man with a naughty side? It’s exciting to have someone who’s a bit of a bad boy with you (and only you!). Men like Errol Flynn are practically irresistible.
- I like to draw, so having a man who is also a fellow artist would be just divine. It doesn’t even have to be fine art, but also music or of course, acting. Gary Cooper was especially a gifted fine artist (he originally came to Hollywood to become an illustrator!) and wouldn’t it be just so romantic to sit for hours together and draw pictures of whatever captures our fancies? Coop was pretty damn good, and I will be featuring some of his works in a future post!
- I love a man with a manly phyisique. Clark Gable, to me, has the perfect male body. He’s burly and tough, not too thin, and not fat either. He’s all big muscle, and he’s also tall (6’1″. Height is important for a tall 5’5″ girl like me). Cary and Errol Flynn were also around the same height, but Coop beats them all at 6’3″. However, Coop’s body is a bit too thin for my taste. I want a man who is strong, can hold me safe in his arms, and who wouldn’t blow away in a strong wind! Therefore Gabe has the perfect body for me.
- I love me an outdoorsman. I love to run through the grass, jump in the surf, climb trees, and play with animals, so a man who loves these things is quite important to me! Nobody fits the bill quite like Clark Gable.
- I also really really really REALLY want a man who loves classic movies just as much as I do! Actually, I don’t want one. I NEED ONE. Sadly, I’ve never met a boy who really loves classic movies. But when I do, I know he’s a keeper, because that means they have good taste, which is a rare thing these days! I want to be with someone who can laugh at Chaplin and Keaton with me, sit on the edge of the seat while watching a Hitchcock movie with me, cry during GWTW with me, and discuss every film we watch together. Oh, and of course, it would be nice if he put up with me when I swoon over all the handsome actors! When I find that special man, I think it will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship
- Last, but definitely not least, I love men who are confident in their masculinity. He exudes every masculine characteristic without even trying. Because it’s an innate quality that he constantly exudes. A real man doesn’t need to publicly speak about his masculinity. Have you ever seen Gabe or Coop or Cary or Errol or Rudy Valentino or William Powell talking about and bragging about what it means to be a man? Do you ever see a real man lording it over everyone else about how “masculine” he is compared to others? Of course not? A REAL man doesn’t have to constantly talk about his masculinity, he’s too busy SHOWING IT with his actions! And this isn’t something that only comes from me. Every single female I know thinks this and agrees with this. And every classic movie actor is a real man <3
So basically, my dream man would know how to have fun, would enjoy a day out or a day cuddling at home, respects me like I respect him, is always honest with me, is smart, funny, and artistic. He is strong, kind, caring, and confident yet humble. The relationship that I always look up to and wish to have is Gable and Lombard’s. It was truly beautiful and reading about it never fails to bring a tear of joy and sadness to my eyes. Both were so proud and happy to love each other. I’ve yet to find the “Pa” to my “Ma” but I will someday!
Carole Irene
Baby Jean
Well, I’m 62, and have loved old movies all my life, probably because when I was growing up, we watched “Million Dollar Movie” every Sunday morning! (This was one ONE MILLION DOLLARS (insert Dr. Evil gesture here) was a real money. It was years before I learned that the MDM theme was “Tara’s Theme” from GWTW. I didn’t realize at the time that those classic movies had been cut to bits to make them fit the time slot and be showable to home audiences. Not until GWTW was re-released in 1961 did I see it for the first time. If I hadn’t already adored Gable, I would have fallen for him then. I still remember the audible sigh in the movie theatre when he looked up the stairway at Twelve Oaks at Scarlett…SIGH.
Anyway, there are lots of old movie fans under 80! Keep looking! (And by the way, The King’s eyes are actually hazel. Really.)
Have you watched LOVE ME TONIGHT yet? I think you will find it’s one of the Perfect Movies.
June 18, 2012 at 9:58 am
Oh lucky you! You got to see GWTW in theatres? That’s amazing!!!
I know there are plenty classic movie fans under 80, but I meant to say that I haven’t met any face to face. Sorry if that wasn’t clear!
And some pictures Clark does seem to have hazel eyes! But in some pictures he seems to have grey/blue eyes. I guess it depends on the quality of the camera and whatnot!
June 18, 2012 at 10:43 am
GWTW was re-released a number of times, and may be again. It was mind-bogglingly wonderful seeing it in a movie theatre — back before movie theatres became octoplexes. GWTW was re-released in 1969 (by which time I could drive!) and when it came to my town I cut college classes to watch it. I saw it five times in one week.
Gable’s official bios say his eyes are hazel. In some of the photos, they do look blue-grey; I wonder if that’s because the photos are faded out. In GWTW closeups (SIGH), he definitely has hazel eyes. (SIGH….)
June 19, 2012 at 1:54 pm
I remember that GWTW was played at the Grauman’s Egyptian theatre for it’s 70th anniversary three years ago. Can you imagine how beautiful it must’ve been, sitting in that ornate, breathtaking theatre and seeing the film the way so many saw it in 1939? But alas, I live all the way across the country, in New York, so I wallowed in misery at not being able to see it like that! I’m surprised it wasn’t re-released here. It’s a darn shame!
Thank you for clearing that up!
June 19, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Greetings! I just happened to come across this post, and am glad i did. I’m only fifteen, and have a passionate fondness for classic cinema, which i prefer a million times over today’s movies (though THE ARTIST caught my fancy). I gladly identify with the post and it’s “author”, because i too am a youth that admires simpler, more preferable times and cinema from those days. Gary Cooper and James Stewart are my two favorite actors (with other great ones being only below these two), whom i strongly identify with simply because they embody the everyman, dignified and gentle American male. I attempt to combine those qualities with moral values and christian, god fearing principles each day, without any hints of arrogance or hate towards others. If we could all exhibit these qualities the world would certainly be more agreeable than it is now. But enough said!
July 13, 2012 at 2:17 am
Always a pleasure to meet a young fan!!!
Oh dear…you remind me of someone. Hopefully you actually practice what you preach. This other guy that I knew also admired the all-American image of Gary Cooper and “practiced” Christianity…but he turned out to be nothing more than a hateful, judgmental, prejudiced hypocrite! Let him be a warning…don’t get too puffed up over your religion, and always remember its timeless teachings of unconditional love and respect for all people!
July 13, 2012 at 8:00 am
Thanks for the reply and the advice, Mrs. Irene. I understand the importance of practicing what you preach and glossing over it. And i never try to be pompous about my relationship with the Lord/Jesus, which i don’t see as a “Religion” but more of a friendship and lifestyle of paternity. Believe you me, the last thing i want to be is a BIble Beater, forcing people to believe and shoving scripture down their throats. Anyone can say they’re a christian, but what’s the definition of Christianity? Is it being prejudiced towards others because they worship another god? Is it preaching all the good things but never examplifying it? Is it stereotyping yourself towards others? What i ought to do is avoid using the word “Christian” when referring to myself and what i believe. But i think i’ve said too much already!
; by the way, what was the first classic film you saw that introduced you to that wonderful bygone era of filmmaking? Mine was GONE WITH THE WIND, the typical classic. I was only 13. 
July 19, 2012 at 1:42 pm
I’m glad you see it that way. A lot of people consider themselves good Christians with a guarantee into Heaven, but don’t do anything but put others down and act superior to others. A lot of people can say they’re religious but few truly understand what that even means, but thankfully, you do. My first classic was “It Happened One Night” and I was 15
July 19, 2012 at 7:04 pm
That’s one of my favorite comedies! Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert won their academy awards for best actor deservedly, and Frank Capra his best picture award also deservedly. and you saw it in the same age as i did, at 15! Now i won’t say this is a coincidence, because i don’t believe in them. But i do believe everything happens for a reason. But this is just incredible!
July 19, 2012 at 10:35 pm
It’s also amazing that a lot of people fall in love with the classics through watching a Clark Gable film. It shows what a likable actor he is
July 19, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Yes he certainly was very underrated as an actor. The same thing applies with other favorites of mine like Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power, who were also very charismatic AND underrated as performers. Typecasting was always they’re worst enemy. If you’ve ever read or heard of Flynn’s autobiography MY WICKED, WICKED WAYS, he states his disdain for being typecast as a premier swashbuckler. But we can all agree that he did turn out to be the best one in that genre of cinema, beating even his excellent predecessor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr!
July 20, 2012 at 3:21 am
I agree! And the worst part is that the typecasting made these actors feel that they weren’t talented enough to do other kinds of roles, when really they could’ve done so much!
I adore Errol Flynn. He was a great actor. It’s a shame that people look at his personal life instead of the body of his work.
July 20, 2012 at 9:46 am
That really is a shame. Flynn was a better actor than given credit for. If one looks at him, he had a magnetic screen presence and an underplayed, naturalistic acting style. Add his dashing bravado, famous Mustache and grin, and his sleek accent (which sounded more English/Irish than Australian), and you’ve got The King of Warner Bros! A Rather fitting term, because although the other oscar winning greats (Bogie and Cagney) were giants of the studio, Flynn attracted more of the box office success. He was also the only non-american actor to find success in Western films, even though he hated it. biggest action star of his day and occasional dramatic actor when given the chance (although even in action parts he gave solid performances, unlike action stars nowadays). You stated that you’re attracted to “Guy pictures”, so ought to say i think the best action heroes of cinema were the original ones: Fairbanks of the silent screen, Flynn, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Cagney, Bogart, John Wayne, etc.
July 20, 2012 at 12:12 pm
People should definitely watch his films before they judge him. Not only was he a great action star, but he can do drama and comedy too. “The Adventures of Don Juan” is one of my favorite films of his because he was so hilarious!
July 20, 2012 at 1:30 pm
And he made it all look so natural, with a sincerity and conviction that he brought to every part he played. If you’ve seen THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON, his performance as General Custer is for me his best role next to GENTLEMAN JIM and THE DAWN PATROL. the picture may not have been terribly accurate with history, but what gives? It’s a rousing western adventure epic with a stirring score by composer Max Steiner and thrilling Battles and Cavalry charges, with Flynn, although Australian, playing the Golden Cavalier with frankness, good humor, and bravado (sporting his trademark mustache instead of the real Custer’s bushy one). Olivia DeHavilland, Flynn’s co-star in eight films before becoming an oscar winning dramatic actress still alive today, gives great support as Custer’s wife Libby. If you’ve heard of the story of George Armstrong Custer and the Seventh Cavalry, it’s one of the most fascinating heroic sagas in history. And Flynn injects his trademark Swashbuckling into a great historical role.
July 20, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Do you have a classic movie blog? If you don’t, you should, because you write so well!
July 22, 2012 at 6:46 am
Thanks very much, Mrs. Irene. But i’m afraid i don’t know how to make my own blog here. Would it be too much of a bother asking you how to do one?
July 22, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Not a bother at all
just go to wordpress.com and on the left side of the page there is an orange button that says ”get started here.” Press that and you will then be guided through the steps of creating your own blog! 
July 24, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Thanks a great deal, Mrs. Irene! You’ve been of great help to me. Simply stand by for my blog, because it’s right up your alley. God bless you and yours.
July 24, 2012 at 2:47 pm
No problem, I can’t wait to read your blog!
July 24, 2012 at 6:21 pm
You won’t be disappointed.
July 24, 2012 at 9:10 pm
I know I won’t be, you write very well
July 25, 2012 at 12:32 am
Thanks again, Mrs. Irene. By the way, since ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN is one of your (and mine as well) favorite Errol Flynn films, i’m listening to a suite of Max Steiner’s magnificent and rousing score from the movie. One of his best scores since most of his best scores have been for Errol Flynn films.
July 25, 2012 at 12:29 pm
pardon me, Mrs. Irene, but i seem to be having a little trouble making my own blog. am i to pay $18.00 dollars to make one? or is it free of charge? and i don’t know what address the application asks me for. i’m clueless! i would very much appreciate some help.
July 25, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Oh no, don’t pay any money, it’s supposed to be totally free!
July 25, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Try to Google WordPress. Then click the result that says “WordPress: get a free blog here.” Then you’re gonna see an orange button that says “get started here” or “sign up,” I think either one works. The address you are being asked for is the name of your website! So you have to of course make that up yourself. Don’t pay any money they ask for, you don’t have to! I hope this helped!
July 25, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Thanks yet again, Mrs. Irene! (mind if i call you Carole?). But what if i haven’t got a website of my own?
July 25, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Sure you can call me Carole, I don’t mind at all! And you don’t have to make your own site if you don’t want to
if you prefer to say your opinions in your comments that’s totally fine 
July 25, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Thanks ONCE AGAIN Carole. Gee, what help if you’ve been to me. My impression of you is someone that helps others at every cost and every opportunity. Very kind on your part, even in such a small thing as this. Is there any other place on your blog where i can post comments to you?
July 25, 2012 at 8:22 pm
You are much too kind! Unfortunately the only place where you can comment is on the posts.
July 28, 2012 at 8:02 am
well then, Carole. i’ve just made my own blog, ALEXANDER’S SANCTUARY. the best title i could think of! and i was wondering how i customize my page/blog the way you did yours, adding your backround and all. i’d very much appreciate it.
July 28, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Sorry I haven’t answered in a while, I’ve been busy! I chose a theme that allowed me to customize a lot of the site
And I’m so excited you made your own blog!
August 7, 2012 at 7:58 pm