Cute, but with the talent to overcome it

[Sue Sue Applegate]

Cutest speckled pup I've ever seen, Paula!

And Michael Anderson, Jr., was adorable. I think I liked him best in The Glory Guys.

[ChiO]

This is reminding me of a friendly argument I once had with my sister as to which were cuter, babies or kittens.

If only I knew how to post the Valentine's Day picture we got of our granddaughters aka The Most Beautiful (and Cute) Granddaughters in This and All Parallel Universes, that issue would be settled once and for all.

[Rita Hayworth]

It's hard to live up to the speckled puppy standard of cuteness. I mean, who can beat this?

Oh my gosh, simply adorable!!! This is reminding me of a friendly argument I once had with my sister as to which were cuter, babies or kittens.

Pvitari,

Could you make this an avatar for your profile someday ... it is too cute to be ignored by all of us here.

[Bronxgirl48]

I want that speckled pup!

Has anyone mentioned Janet Gaynor? Cute as a button, but I always sensed an inner gravitas that unfortunately was not matched by her voice when talkies came in.

[Robert Regan]

How could I have forgotten adorable Janet Gaynor in this discussion?

I don't think it was her voice that was a problem in talkies, Bronxgirl. She continued to be very popular. The problem, at least from our 21st century perspective, was a lot of poor movies with unchallenging roles. Until A Star Is Born. William Wellman was the only director she had in the thirties who was anywhere near Borzage and Murnau who gave her her best parts.

[pvitari]

Speaking of cute as a button Janet Gaynor, Janet and Charlie Farrell shall remain my avatar, kingme, but you could use the speckled puppy photo for your avatar.

I've had that photo sitting on my computer desktop for a couple of years. I could never bear to trash it since it was sooooo cute. I'm glad I finally was able to put it to use. ;)

[Robert Regan]

Isn't Charlie proof that one needn't be short to be cute?

[pvitari]

Charles Farrell was not "cute.". He was drop dead handsome.

[Robert Regan]

Yes, pivitari, he certainly was, but there was also something sweet about him that did not detract from his masculinity. The only other actor I can think of who is equally good at playing an innocent, yet virile man is Ewen McGregor.

[pvitari]

Sweetness does not necessarily equate with cute for me.

[Robert Regan]

You're right about that, pvitari. I stand corrected.

[JackFavell]

Sorry, Mary Kate, I did not mean to sound like I was changing up the rules on you, actually I was just agreeing with you about Debbie Reynolds.

[Maricatrin]

Sorry, Mary Kate, I did not mean to sound like I was changing up the rules on you, actually I was just agreeing with you about Debbie Reynolds.

Wendy, I'm sorry, I should have been able to see that.

Now, let the party continue...

[Bronxgirl48]

How could I have forgotten adorable Janet Gaynor in this discussion?

I don't think it was her voice that was a problem in talkies, Bronxgirl. She continued to be very popular. The problem, at least from our 21st century perspective, was a lot of poor movies with unchallenging roles. Until A Star Is Born. William Wellman was the only director she had in the thirties who was anywhere near Borzage and Murnau who gave her her best parts.

There are only three films from the '30's I've seen Janet in -- the original STATE FAIR, A STAR IS BORN, and the one with I believe Doug Fairbanks, the name of which escapes me but I think was made in 1938. I like but don't necessarily love her in STAR (the depiction of Esther's driving ambition is somewhat soft-pedaled) but am a bit hazy on STATE FAIR and the Fairbanks. I really appreciate Gaynor in her silent classics.

[Robert Regan]

Yes, Bronxgirl, an the variety of Gaynor's characters in those late silents was amazing. She's very cute in her talkies, but Borzage and Murnau took her beyond cute.