So much of the problem with actors today is that they all look like they’ve stepped out of a gym or off a model runway. Pretty boys who simply can’t act (Channing Tatum Syndrome). A couple generations ago, many of the Hollywood actors had active military experience (or other real-life experiences). It’s sad and embarrassing (and the PCisms have stifled creativity, and the lockstep ultraleft ideology).
“...A couple generations ago, many of the Hollywood actors had active military experience...”
True that, and it showed in the way they handled their roles and the weapons too.
For example, take Steve McQueen, in “The Sand Pebbles” (GREAT movie); He’d been in the Marine Corps, and he looked COMPLETELY “at-home” with the B.A.R and the M1903 Springfield rifle, like it was second nature - because it was for him.
Some of these contemporary schlubs look like they’re ready to crap their panties when they have a gun in their hands. Not only that, finger on the trigger, muzzle sweeps of people standing near them or pointing directly AT them... little things that you notice that make it harder to get over the “threshold of disbelief”.
Check out some of these biographies: Politics aside, these guys all put in time in service. (Wikipedia is convenient and quick for this kind of stuff):
Steve McQueen:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_McQueen#Military_service
Charles Bronson: US Army Air Corps WWII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bronson
Charles Durning: US Army, Infantry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Durning#Military_service
For his valor and for the wounds he received during the war, Durning was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart
Ernest Borgnine: US Navy WWII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Borgnine#Naval_service
Borgnine joined the United States Navy in 1935, after graduation from James Hillhouse High School[5] in New Haven, Connecticut. He was discharged in 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor and served until 1945,
Eddie Albert:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Albert#Military
He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for his actions during the invasion of Tarawa in November 1943,
Clint Eastwood:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_Eastwood#Early_life
Robert Ryan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ryan#Early_life_and_career
January 1944, Ryan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a drill instructor at Camp Pendleton, in San Diego, California.
Burt Lancaster:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Lancaster#Circus_career_and_military
Kirk Douglas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Douglas#Early_life
Douglas enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941, shortly after the United States entered World War II. He was medically discharged for war injuries in 1944.
Jack Palance, perennial movie villain:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ryan#Early_life_and_career
military career began as a member of the United States Army Air Forces (B24 Liberators).
Richard Jaeckel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Jaeckel
US Merchant Marine, 1944-1949
Here’s a pretty good list of the actors we grew up watching - all of them served during WWII:
http://jodavidsmeyer.com/combat/military/actors_in_wwii.html
Even “Uncle Fester” Jackie Coogan and “Captain Kangaroo” Bob Keeshan is in there...