The leading men act REALLY gay - Laura Discussion

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Gubbio 13 years ago

Laura's apartment is garish and cluttered with the most awful ruffly lamps, curtains and more (maybe to signify wealth? Was interior design that hideous in the 40s?).

I always notice how the set is built and decorated, and I always wondered about this one.

I don't know if the look they were going for was "wealth," but it looked more like the apartment of some matronly, old dowager ( Ethel Barrymore ?) -- not the young and stylish Laura.

(Never noticed that the clothes were hideous.)

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] AliciaHuberman59 13 years ago

I don't think Laura's apartment was garish at all. True, it wasn't sleek (i.e. Moderne), but she wasn't meant to be portrayed as a cold (Moderne is rather cold, albeit stylish), totally "modern" woman...after all, her mother taught her a new recipe after listening to each new dream of a career. Anne's apartment was more matronly/sedate for lacking the very things Laura's had...girlish frills.

With regard to Bonnie Cashin's designs, you must remember that fabric was, like most commodities, severely rationed at the time. I think they're very stylish and feminine and so would many other women at that time, consigned to the drab utilitarian nature of women's clothing at that time. In so doing, they serve as a perfect bridge to Dior's "New Look" a few years later.

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[–] DoloresHaze-1 13 years ago

Laura was an executive woman with an important career in a flashy business (advertising). Her wardrobe did not reflect this. Look at Ginger Rogers in Lady in the Dark or any of the film noirs from that era. There were gorgeous fashions around in the 1940s!

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[–] aciolino 10 years ago

Since you are probably not more than 13, I will be patient, or try to be, with my response to your, "thoughts."

You confuse the concept of being, or acting, "like a gay man," with that of what used to be known as, a, "fop." Look it up.

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] lahlah4532 13 years ago

I don't get how they 'acted gay' at all. The men in that time displayed themselves with an air of class and dignity. Just because you act like a gentlemen does not make you gay.

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[–] AliciaHuberman59 13 years ago

Agreed, and it's a shame that the traits in question (i.e. "class and dignity") are equated with something purportedly derogatory.

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] artemis_1986 12 years ago

Agreed. And I rather liked the way her appartment was decorated (yes, even the frilly lampshades (and I'm 25)).

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[–] SignificantOtter 13 years ago

They had an aura of Old World effeteness about them which many in my generation mistake for "gay," class pretensions not being as extreme as they used to.

~Caitlin

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[–] gbennett5 13 years ago

I don't think Tierney was wooden at all. I think Laura was rather a
sensible, somewhat cold character. I believe her totally.

As for the men in question, isn't this deliberate? I think Waldo was
closeted and in love with wanting to "be" Laura, more than have her.
And I think he was attracted to Mark (Andrews), which led more
intrigue to the story. Price was only a social climber, so whomever
he wanted sexually is anyone's guess (maybe...himself???).

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[–] Gubbio 13 years ago

Price was only a social climber, so whomever
he wanted sexually is anyone's guess (maybe...himself???).

Rumor has it that he was dating his right hand.

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[–] gbennett5 13 years ago

Ouch. Hate to say this, but that would make sense to me. I've never
thought Price was particularly attractive. "A male beauty in distress",
hisses Waldo. Male beauty? Uh, hardly.

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[–] Gubbio 13 years ago

I've never thought Price was particularly attractive. "A male beauty in distress", hisses Waldo.

I'm with you!

But, apparently Waldo found Shelby attractive. Maybe they should have both ditched Laura and gone out dancing!

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[–] ninthcentury 11 years ago

Price was considered a gorgeous leading man in his day.

I wish some of the people on this thread would grow up. "Tee hee, giggle giggle, snurk, he's gay!"

Oh, drop dead.

What so many of you people don't realize is that times were different. You spent a lot of time in school learning to understand other cultures than your own; it was considered essential to an understanding of the world. Well, you failed to learn it; our culture seventy years ago isn't our culture, it's a different one. Look at it as you would a Mongolian yurt or something and realize to accept them for what they were, as if they were Mongolians. Or Kenyans or Maori or ...take your pick. They're not the same as us so quit judging them. Get some maturity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] fleshrequiem 11 years ago

Oh ho, it's a laugh a line with Lennon!

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[–] Gubbio 11 years ago

Oh ho, it's a laugh a line with Lennon!

I don't know what that means.....

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[–] fleshrequiem 11 years ago

Relax ol' boy, it's a bit of fun.

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[–] goleafsgo27 10 years ago

Watching "Hard Day's Night" should be mandatory in our schools. When I'm elected...

I have seen enough to know I have seen too much. -- ALOTO

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[–] butaneggbert 8 years ago

Ya got my vote!

_______________

Nothing to see here, move along.

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[–] monsieurzy 9 years ago

pssst...it's "laugh ALONG with Lennon"...

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[–] Harry_Greb 9 years ago

No it isn't.

I used to have the novelisation of this. Unfortunately, it got thrown out when I moved house, so I can't prove it to you; but, please take my word for it, that it is "a laugh a line with Lennon."

Follow your spirit; and upon this charge
Cry, God for Harry, England, and St. George!

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[–] monsieurzy 9 years ago

I stand corrected...thank you

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[–] nerowolfgal 10 years ago

What so many of you people don't realize is that times were different. You spent a lot of time in school learning to understand other cultures than your own; it was considered essential to an understanding of the world. Well, you failed to learn it; our culture seventy years ago isn't our culture, it's a different one.

Very, very good point and well stated.

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

Yes, and times are different now. We'll go the "inclusive" routine for a few decades and then decide that wasn't a good choice. We'll conclude judging that there is indeed an "ideal" for a certain period of time and it sure isn't homosexual. That is what evolution is heading towards. The "ideal" of diversity is not an ideal but a sad refusal to accept reality. Diversity leads to an ideal. With diversity as an ideal no other ideal can exist.

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[–] hopey4 10 years ago

Thank you so much for your intelligent and well-thoughtout comment. This whole thread makes me both sad and nervous!
In this era of "PC-ness", I find it surprising anyone would bother mentioning this fact.
Urbane, sophisticated men do have an air about them that has nothing to do with sexual orientation (and it's SO none of my business anyway!)
But, kids today... Ya gotta love 'em!
I fault a lot of parents for not broadening their children's horizons. Recently I was given a present of one of Fred Astaire's top hats, purchased from the MGM auction of the past. My granddaughter, who had been exposed to all the great films of the 1920s-60s, was so excited about the gift. She went to school (4th grade) and told her friends that her Grammy had Fred Astaire's hat. And they all said "who?" She was shocked!

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[–] fudanchu-725-268123 8 years ago

Just to say this is a great response.

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[–] Gadare 7 years ago

I love that people are so offended by people having the audacity of thinking that a character played by Clifton Webb is not 100% straight. He was an effete gay man who lived with his mother until she died in her nineties. He hung with Noel Coward, George Cukor and a others in a classic Hollywood gay circle.

And I don't know if Vincent Price was very gracious or flirting when I met him at a party in the 1970s. It is said he and wife Coral Browne had an "arrangement". Face it honey, "Laura" is one of the gayest movies from its era.

"Victor, what are we going to do to stop this fiendish tit?"

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[–] goleafsgo27 10 years ago

I don't know if Price was gay. How sad none of his 3 wives are still alive or we could ask them.

I have seen enough to know I have seen too much. -- ALOTO

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[–] Gadare 7 years ago

You hit the closet gay thing on the head. I love that people are so offended by people having the audacity of thinking that a character played by Clifton Webb is not 100% straight.

Puhleeze.

"Victor, what are we going to do to stop this fiendish tit?"

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[–] AnaElisa 10 years ago

If men 'acting gay' now means having good manners, being stylishly cultured, and having intelligence, then please, start 'acting gay'.

You may find, gentlemen, you are suddenly attracting a much better class of women.

Give it some thought.

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[–] hopey4 10 years ago

Thank you!!!!

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[–] nimstic 11 years ago

Cary Grant always appeared effeminate to me yet he was one of the most admired, sexiest and greatest looking men around the time. So was Gary Cooper. I think it was a thing of the time.

I do not know if either Price or Webb were gays but they did appear very effeminate. Maybe being such a way wasn't really gay back then?

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[–] twob_ornot 11 years ago

The only thing that struck me as "gay" was when Price's Shelby says to Tierney's Laura "I approve of that hat" regarding one her ugly floppy hats, and then much later, to Anderson's Ann, "That's a completely wonderful hat, darling". Of course you could argue his compliments are just to show what a gigolo he is, as opposed to the way a "real man" would ignore a woman's clothes.

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[–] digitaldiva 11 years ago

Hi twob_ornot,

I thought both Price and Webb came off as upper-class fancy men, elegant and sophisticated. They were supposed to be counterpoints to Dana Andrew's earthy detective. I've been around urbane men who were straight and commented on women's attire. In my opinion elegance and good manners don't have a sexual preference.

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

They do. Hetero men don't look much in mirrors but they appreciate that females do indeed consult a mirror. I found it interesting that Michael Jackson-a gay guy wanted Price on his Thriller video. I am John Poole, Ardmore, PA, if you respond with an alias don't expect a response. Adults don't use aliases.

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[–] digitaldiva 10 years ago

Hi Mr. Poole,

My biography with my real name has been posted on the IMDB since 2003. My name is Francesca Miller, I live in Los Angeles and disagree totally about your assessment of hetero men as opposed to gay men. I've known extremely butch gay men and straight guys who were concerned with both appearance and manners. It's been my experience that gentility doesn't have a sexual preference.

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

I don't remember making a definitive assessment which wouldn't be likely. Lots of variation in human behavior and let's not forget the so called on the down low types which does baffle me. I can only speculate that most females would not want to be with a guy who has anal sex with other guys. Just an opinion of course. I don't know even how to define gentility in a meaningful way. Maybe I found the personal mannerisms of some actors "prissy". You'd have to give me your definition of gentility and then I'd give you mine.

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[–] digitaldiva 10 years ago

Hi thepooles-1,

I've already made my comment about the males who are both supposed to be heterosexual. If you have trouble with the casting of Vincent Price or Clifton Webb, I'm afraid it's 70 years too late. I think both men did terrific jobs in a classic film.

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

Wait a minute. I didn't start the initial posting about the leads seeming unbelievably gay. I did find them second rate actors though. Price was already doing camp instead of acting. Clifton Webb was a screamer from the moment he opened his "genteel" mouth. But, I agree, it is not just to attack those actors. They pursued a career in films and were fairly successful. Maybe they had brilliant agents. The film industry is as bizarre as the music industry regarding who makes it big and who doesn't.

I did mention that Dana Andrews had his trousers hiked up above his nipples. It just looked so strange! I think Martin Short got the idea fro his Ed Grimley from Andrew's high riding trousers.

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[–] robble-1 9 years ago

Michael Jackson wanted Vincent Price in his Thriller video because Vincent Price is a cult figure in horror movies and the Thriller video is one giant tribute to scary flicks like those for which Price became famous. Nothing to do with anyone's sexuality.

My name is Andrea Miller since you're so nosy.

I'm cool, you're cool, we're cool, thank you, good night!-My Science Project

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[–] Forlorn_Rage 8 years ago

I thought both Price and Webb came off as upper-class fancy men, elegant and sophisticated. They were supposed to be counterpoints to Dana Andrew's earthy detective. I've been around urbane men who were straight and commented on women's attire. In my opinion elegance and good manners don't have a sexual preference.

I completely agree with you. I don't Laura (or the audience for that matter) was supposed to find either Shelby and, especially, not Waldo attractive. Mark, on the other hand, was a completely different story. He was very attractive and masculine as well.

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[–] ninthcentury 11 years ago

A "real man" would NOT ignore a woman's clothes. You men today do so because of social pressure. You're terrified you'll be called "gay", and you're probably right. An educated, suave, and intelligent gentleman back then noticed everything around him. Our slobs of today spend all their time trying to avoid stupid labels that people who grew up under massive social pressure would use to force them to conform to some stupid ideal that was invented between the Sixties and the Eighties.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa

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[–] PrometheusTree64 11 years ago

More evidence that gay rights helps everybody.

--

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] butaneggbert 10 years ago

My god, those hats were awful, weren't they? I'm a fan of (and own) hats from the 1910s to today - and I wouldn't even try one of those on. Gah!!

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[–] karmala2 11 years ago

"Laura's apartment is garish and cluttered with the most awful ruffly lamps, curtains and more (maybe to signify wealth? Was interior design that hideous in the 40s?). Gene Tierney's wardrobe is horrid - stripes, checks, the oddly cut dress she wears at the party, etc. Gene Tierney's wardrobe is horrid - stripes, checks, the oddly cut dress she wears at the party, etc."

Well, if you remember, at the beginning Waldo explained to McPherson that Laura deferred to him in matters of taste. He taught her the "right" clothes to wear, which hairstyles were more becoming to her, etc." So, to take your reasoning a bit further, her questionable taste was a reflection of Waldo's "gay" influence.

"All the characters but Laura are despicable. Why would such a nice, lovely woman surround herself with such vipers?"

MacPherson asks her that exact question towards the end of the movie. I don't know why that would make this a bad movie.

I think the dress Laura wore to Ann's party was beautiful.

Edit: The OP hasn't been active since June 2011, a troll, maybe?

"I told you a million times not to talk to me when I'm doing my lashes"!

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[–] rixrex 11 years ago

I agree that this film is overrated, but not because of Webb and Price, but because of being excessively melodramatic and with characters that are somewhat stereotypical.

An actual woman with the described positive characteristics of Laura would never have kept such a friend as Waldo Lydecker for very long. She would have been dismayed by his arrogance. The fact that she let him lavish money and promote her business speaks for her lack of character, but this is never explored well in the film. She is given excessive praise that is unseemly, and Tierney is definitely out of her league here, as you so noted.

I think the "gayness" you see has more to do with the way Webb and Vincent Price hold themselves than with the story. Price seems more like a Mama's boy to me, and I think that's what was wanted. I can't see Laura hanging out much with either one of them, unless she's witless and clearly she isn't.

Mark, as played by Dana Andrews, doesn't have the same affectations, but he is really an annoying character even with the persona of being a detective solving a murder. The whole idea of falling in love with someone from a painting and "eulogies" reeks of the type of excessive melodrama for which Preminger is known. I would say this film is one to see, but not particularly great.

-----
The Eyes of the City are Mine! Mother Pressman / Anguish (1987)

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[–] bruno-32 11 years ago

MY God, if you thought the male actors acted 'gay...what would you say about "Picture Of Dorian Grey", the original with George Sanders and Hurt Hatfield? Listen to the dialogue they had to repeat. Let's not forget, the actors did not write the dialogue, perhaps the writers were 'gay'. Enjoy the movie, its only a movie...stop nit picking.

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[–] butaneggbert 10 years ago

Might be the wrong comparison - gay subtext galore in Dorian Grey. Not as much in the movie as in the original story, but enough to go around.

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

You and I know that it is dangerous to use the term fag hag but it is very useful.
Laura was perhaps a drawn character who wanted to be courted by dashing hetero males but who feared sexual intercourse with such males. I suspect that the script writers were clueless about such details but such dynamics do exist in the real world. No one here is trashing gays- we are just commenting on a highly flawed film.

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

For someone who finds the script and plot "preposterous," you've been here for three days. I would think that you would have more important things to do. You seem a little obsessed.

we are just commenting on a highly flawed film.

Who is this "we" that you speak of?

Do you and your wife get together and vote on what your opinion will be -- or do you simply have worms?

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

I can't make any sense of your comments. Maybe that is why you use an alias. I don't I'm John Poole in Ardmore, PA Are you fearful of being scrutinized? Call me at 610 642-5981 if you are a man who stands up to his comments.

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

I'm John Poole and I can be reached at Wyncote Academy.

Are you a teacher?

That's even more frightening!

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

Still no personal ID from you. Are you afraid?
Keep hiding in the dark.

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

I'm taking your advice somewhat.

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[–] thepooles-1 10 years ago

I believe I was the guy who came up with the conclusion that "Laura" was a fag hag after most just ignored such a speculation. To me a fag hag is a sexually alluring female who is deeply afraid of sexual intimacy with a "normal" male. She then draws gays around her because they lust to be like her-a magnet for men. By normal I mean a fellow who wants to bed a woman and not a man. I don't see any of the characters as having much self awareness. It was a corny melodrama to me.

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[–] aciolino 10 years ago

Amazing how wrong you can be. Laura and the painter? Hello? Laura and the detective? Earth to YOU!!

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[–] gravelyj67 9 years ago

"To me a fag hag is a sexually alluring female who is deeply afraid of sexual intimacy with a "normal" male. She then draws gays around her because they lust to be like her-a magnet for men."

Actually it's quite the opposite.

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[–] Ironman54 10 years ago

I read your comment before watching the movie today and I did note one thing as it related to how she dressed:
In the one scene where shes wearing 'check' and that weird hat/cap, she was dressed to head out to the country/mountains. If you notice, in these older movies, middle to upper class dress 'down' in their best 'country' outfits - jeans, plaids, wool shirts, hiking boots etc., ya know, so they'll fit in with the areas common folk.
Today, she would have done an on line order from LL Bean or Lands End - all new outfits, sleeping bags etc., shipped to her door maybe a week before she was scheduled to leave the city for a weekend of 'roughing it'.
Early on in the movie, when Webb 'discoverers' her, shes shown cutting/pasting pictures at some office - clearly not a girl of 'breeding'. Webb describes how he had to teach her how to dress etc. While hes telling the Lt about this part of their relationship, Laura is shown trying on some pretty nice outfits. Webb was the one with 'class' and 'breeding', not her. The ' nouveau riche' have been known to be tacky/gaudy. :-)

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Molly-31 9 years ago

I always assumed her "trip to the country" was a cover story for an abortion.

And no, nobody is acting "gay" in this picture. They're acting like cultured people.

Well, the city's being built and I'm winning this game. So don't interrupt us with trifles.

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[–] Gubbio 9 years ago

I always assumed her "trip to the country" was a cover story for an abortion.

Really???  

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[–] Molly-31 9 years ago

Well, yeah, because it was pretty clear she was having sex with Shelby. Back then a "trip to New York" or a "trip to the country" were code for an abortion. It was also used when women wanted to go ahead and have the baby, perhaps leaving it to be raised by caretakers or relatives or giving it up for adoption, but if she'd done that she'd be gone longer.

Well, the city's being built and I'm winning this game. So don't interrupt us with trifles.

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[–] butaneggbert 8 years ago

Back then "a trip to the country" could also mean ... a trip to the country. What with Laura having a cottage in the country and all.

_______________

Nothing to see here, move along.

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[–] eelb 8 years ago

Well, yeah, because it was pretty clear she was having sex with Shelby. Back then a "trip to New York" or a "trip to the country" were code for an abortion. It was also used when women wanted to go ahead and have the baby, perhaps leaving it to be raised by caretakers or relatives or giving it up for adoption, but if she'd done that she'd be gone longer.

Unless you're now at least 80 years old, and in the 1940's existed in a social circle where unwanted pregnancies were common place, I have no idea how you can formulate such a belief.

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[–] Molly-31 8 years ago

Unwanted pregnancies were as common in every social circle as they are today, dealt with in a variety of ways, and I'm nowhere near 80 yet! I just know something about the era.

Well, the city's being built and I'm winning this game. So don't interrupt us with trifles.

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[–] Popcorngal (4361) 10 months ago

I never knew that.

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