It’s a cliche that those who make it look easy don’t get the props they deserve – at the time when it matters. Cary Grant is a perfect example. He breezed through Philadelphia Story, shining his OWN LIGHT onto his co-stars, both of whom were nominated (he was not), and one of whom won the award (his only award). Cary Grant was not congratulated for how easy he made it look. Or – at least not congratulated in the way that seems to matter: awards, and also – just that feeling that: This guy is the BEST. People who seem to work hard always get the accolades in the moment – which is why those who put on funny noses, use foreign accents, or play people who are 1. mentally or physically disabled 2. autistic 3. insane 4. insanely ugly – win the awards, and get the props. A great example (in my opinion) is Russell Crowe. In my estimation, he has never ever been better than in LA Confidential. Well, maybe Romper Stomper and The Sum of Us – from before he hit it big here – but that’s interesting because once he became mega-famous in the States and in the world, he seemed to lose the confidence he had in those earlier films and started trying to prove himself. And naturally, once he started trying to prove himself by working really hard (sometimes VERY successfully like in The Insider and sometimes not so successfully like in Beautiful Mind) he started getting the Oscar nominations he so desired. He is a wonderful actor. Whether or not he transforms himself physically. Cary Grant always looked fabulous – he wasn’t a chameleon – that was not his thing – but he is the best there is. But he made it look too easy. That is NEVER congratulated in such an obvious and superficial business as acting.
I bring all of this up because watch this YouTube clip of Dean singing “Everybody loves somebody (sometimes)”. It is the epitome of ease. It looks like he was born singing that song. He is barely singing it at all. He’s not even emoting. Or living it. Or reaching out to us. Or trying to communicate. He is just INHABITING it.
And ease like that is a miracle. Make no mistake. Almost NOBODY has that kind of ease. You can count them on one hand.
Breathtaking. It’s like a soft warm bed you can sink into. A soft warm bed with a warm loving body waiting for you. Ease.
I adore Cary Grant.
He’s the pefect man.
Hell. He’s the perfect everything.
Had a professor in college, an older gent in 1971 or 72, who had been a director in early television and did radio before that.
He remembered doing one of those amateur hour or discover new talent type shows and on comes this singer with this lazy style. He knew instantly that he was a loser and would never amount to anything if he didn’t change.
It was, of course, Dean Martin and he was never heard from again. My professor, I mean.
Great story, Robert – thank you.
*sigh* what a voice. effortless. seemingly anyway.
great post, red.