Worst leading man

[moocow]

Hmmm....a tough one for you...I havn't made my mind up. I'm not sure there was a worst leading man who played opposite Judy really. They were all good. Not one of them sticks in my mind. I'll have a think and see what you think.

[purttygirl82]

Tom Drake. I don't think there was any chemistry AT ALL. His performance was dryer than a popcorn fart.

[moocow]

Hmmm...yes, I do agree, there is at one point, because Judy did like him I think... but I suppose after Judy found out he was gay... it kinda spoilt it all for them.

[karol biatch]

My freakin Lord !!-- I love Fred Astaire but that age difference with Judy kinda puts him more in the worst leading man category for me but then I'm always watching the "Easter Parade" when I can get a break from my stoopid family. This cow could watch Judy mop her floors over and over.... Ok time for my meds and a shout to my dad who checked out of Iowa last year..... Later Gaters !!!

[blue nun]

Hay, I have to agree with biatch. Fred Astaire and Judy? Yech! He was TOO old for her - it was kinky. He was more like a father figure than a hot romantic lead. What a casting disappointment that was. I thought Judy and Van Johnson created some interesting tension in 'Good Old Summertime'.

[Ray]

Yeah, probably Tom Drake. It might have helped if he had been at least bisexual and able to meet her sexual needs? She could have thought that he just wasn't turned on by her, which tapped into her insecurities and negative self image.

[moocow]

That last scene of "The good old Summertime" is really romantic but I think Van's acting is slightly fake? I'm not sure there's something I don't quite like about it. Can't put my finger on it.

[kris]

Ok I understand what you guys are saying about Tom Drake, but I can't out of love and obsession for MMISL pick him so I'll have to go with Fred Astaire, it kills me to even type it. It's not the age difference for me though, I feel like he never convinces me that he truly loves her over nadine aka ann miller. I feel like her chemistry is sooo much better with Peter Lawford. Each time I watch that movie (and it's often) I still hope for them to get together.

[markus]

My choice would probably be Douglas McPhail in LITTLE NELLIE KELLY. McPhail had a fine voice, but his screen presence was nil, and saddled with a script that's overloaded with an unwelcome heaping of Irish bathos, not to mention the impossibly irritating Charles Winninger, he fails to make much of an impression.

Personally, I like her teaming with Fred Astaire very much.

[purttygirl82]

Moocow, I will tell you why Van's acting was as you put it "fake" during the final scene, which is suppose to drip with sexual tension, because he would have preferred curling up to MR. NEWSPICKLE. Markus very good choice, I forgot about Douglas but I must agree whole heartedly with you both on your fine choice and the pairing of she and Fred.

[moocow]

ah, that might explain it.

[judydarling]

well this isn't very nice, picking on people. But it must be said that Mel Torme was horrible to Judy, wrote that awful book, tried to steal the limelight on her show etc etc. He was absolutely ROTTEN. He even tried to sue Judy for damages.

Tom Drake was hardly a 'leading man', in movie terms he was merely a spring fling.

I think Judy worked well with Fred. You don't look for hot romance with Fred, you look for grace, elegance and sophistication..loveliness.

Gene and Judy had chemistry, but I think he was sore on her. They were like cat and dog. Entertaining, great singing and dancing, they lit up the screen..but compared with Mickey and Judy duo, Gene and Judy just didn't have that stuff that comes naturally. They were never in LOVE..maybe lust, but not love. So I'm going with Gene. I don't care who agrees or disagrees with me thats just what I think.

[moocow]

Oh, I totally have to disagree, I think Gene was the best leading man just because they seemed to have everything that other duos didn't. But that was quite an interesting choice, I can see where you're coming from.

[judydarling]

It's not that I dislike Gene it's just well..they were always fighting and I don't like violence. There's a scene in the Pirate where Judy is smashing crockery and though it's meant to be funny it's not in real life!

[purttygirl82]

I'm sorry but I don't recall EVER hearing of Gene and Judy fighting, and certainly not as frequently as you are insinuating. Gene and Judy shared a deep mutual respect and admiration, both personally as well as professionally. I think you may have mistaken fantasy with reality. The scene you speak of was indeed a scene from the film with the interaction being between two characters "Serafin" and "Manuela", not Judy and Gene having a row while the cameras were unsuspectedly rolling.

It seems highly improbable, to me, that Gene would have agreed to "Summer Stock", what was hitherto an unpleasant prospect for him, if they were indeed "like cat and dog". They were two very passionate, headstrong artists that strove for perfection but I do not believe, nor is there really any evidence that states that they did not like one another. You have to understand that "The Pirate" was on not an enjoyable experience for the majority involved, Gene for his own problems with the material. But you are entitled to your preference.