It must have been a sign of the times but I didn't fancy her at all in Laura.
Apparently it was all the rage among men at the time though.
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The OP is obviously misinformed. The film is a classic, and both men and women - then and now - adored her in the
role.
I think the character of Laura is rather curious. She is definitely someone who USES men to get what and where she
needs. There are also personal takes to be made. I, for one, never thought Vincente Price was handsome enough
to be believed as someone who would have women (especially a woman like Laura) support him. He was such
a louse.
It's also curious that Waldo Lydecker is supposed to be straight. I don't buy him as straight at all, and since we're
to believe Laura was probably a virgin, he wouldn't have been "tested" in the bedroom. I think Waldo merely
was obsessed with Laura, maybe because he wanted to BE him. I also wonder if he isn't sexually attracted to
Mark, and that's partly why he loathes him. Not only will Mark take his beautiful beard away, but he, too, wants
to bed Mark.
An interesting film that is always worth debating.
He couldn't be gay in 1944. I also love this film.
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No, the character wouldn't be OUTWARDLY gay, but writers and directors (James Whale, for one) would
subversively have gay characters.
It should be noted that Price (yes, folks, Price), Judith Anderson and (of course) Clifton Webb were all gay
in real life.
There was the bathtub scene near the beginning where Lydecker stood up, asking McPherson for a towel, almost as if he was displaying himself and McPherson gave him a very brief once over and noticeably smirked and scoffed.
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I have the (highly regarded) bio of the talented, and highly complex Dana Andrews (who already had
a drinking problem when the film was made). The author reveals that Andrews and Webb developed
a strong friendship while making this film, and Andrews was well aware that Webb wanted to go to
bed with him. Apparently, at one point, Webb mistook Andrews' friendly interaction with him as a
subtle come-on (it was not). Webb reportedly said to Andrews, "Well, shit or get off the pot." Andrews
made it clear he was not interested, although he was flattered and kind of got off on Webb's desire
for him.
I respect Andrews as an actor, but the book paints him as rather aloof to costars, so his friendship
with Webb is indeed odd.
Very, very, very complex and talented group of actors on this wonderful film.
No, Vincent Price was not gay.
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