ONSIDER the case of Victor Mature, one of the strangest and in some ways one of the most disturbing phenomena that occurred on the screen in 1942. Here is a young man who has achievéd greatness (of a kind) by deliberately exploiting the most unattractive side of his personality. As Hollywood’s prime example of conceit, bad manners, and vulgar display, he delights in describing himself as "a very revolting sort of person," and in doing his best to live up to that description, secure in the knowledge that his lush good looks, his chest measurement, and his superabundant sex-appeal, coupled with his egotism, will exercise a kind of perverse fascination on a large (and mostly feminine) section of the audience. A circus freak does much the same sort of thing when he exploits a physical infirmity, and if Victor Mature can gain fame and fortune by calculated boorishness, I suppose he has some justification, but it is to be hoped that the present popularity of this star is not a portent of what is to be expected from leading men in the future.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19430507.2.31.1
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 8, Issue 202, 7 May 1943, Page 13
Word count
Tapeke kupu
183Untitled New Zealand Listener, Volume 8, Issue 202, 7 May 1943, Page 13
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in