“Cary – such a lovely souvenir in my life. Unlike some people might think, he was really a very reserved, very sensitive, very quiet person, very philosophical, rather mystic in some ways. And had enormous empathy for other people. He had me down flat the minute he met me.”
- Audrey Hepburn
Back in April I wrote about some of my personal inspirations and Vahni made an astute observation (she does that a lot): they were all ladies. Quite so, there were a lot of dresses and there was overall a notable sense of refinement in the women I cited. Coincidentally, I didn’t include one of my greatest style icons, who just so happens to be a man, and who is perhaps the definition of refinement. Not just a man, but a gentleman; and not just a gentleman, but the gentleman: Cary Grant. Considering that today he’s being honored by Turner Classic Movies as part of their annual Summer Under the Stars I thought it was an appropriate time to pay a little tribute to the many ways Cary inspires both my life and style. When I think of Cary I think of impeccable style, quiet charm and a little air of mystery. His image is alike to a smokey jazz song: comfortable, calm, self-confident and immaculately executed.
He was dapper, he was polished, he was sophisticated…and he was a little bit fictional. Archie Leach (if you don’t know, that was Cary’s given name) created the façade that became iconic and in creating it he became it. At least, that’s how he told the story. But I think what Cary didn’t realize was that he had that special something, the social graces and debonair charm that was the root of the iconic image. Those qualities translated through his personal style, through the sharp elegance of his suits and the gentle precision that went into every detail. He was a quality gentleman and the Cary Grant he conjured up was born of his own genuine refinement. I think that’s a perfect example of how we can set standards for ourselves – of both a personal and fashionable nature – and create an ideal of ourselves to grow into without conforming to the opinions of others. We just have to look inwardly, at our strengths and shortcomings, and find the version of ourselves that we relate to most intimately.
As an actor I’ve always thought him marvelous; he made me laugh outright in films like The Philadelphia Story and The Awful Truth, and his performance in Penny Serenade actually moved me to tears. As if that’s not enough, he was the quintessential Hitchcock leading man, at once the romantic hero and the shifty source of intrigue. The quiet, all-encompassing mysteriousness of his onscreen personas throughout his twenty-year, four-film collaboration with Hitchcock is timeless and I think it was with those films that the imagined Cary Grant came into full being. There was a worldly way about that Cary Grant and just enough distance between himself and the rest of the world to make everyone curious.
I’m sure people would say that’s what has launched Cary into his immortal place as an icon, the intangible essence of what made him what he was. But something else that fascinates me about Cary Grant is the way he was simultaneously elusive and friendly. I’ll always remember reading about Audrey Hepburn’s first meeting with him at a restaurant before filming for Charade began, their first and only film together. Audrey was nervous and told him so. He responded, “Don’t be…I’m thrilled to know you. Here, sit down…Put your hands on the table, palms up, put your head down and take a few deep breaths.” When Audrey put her head down she spilled a bottle of wine all over Cary’s cream suit. She was mortified, of course, and Audrey later recalled that he “nonchalantly removed his jacket and pretended, very convincingly, that the stain would simply go away.” The next day he sent her caviar and a note telling her not to feel bad, as she had apologized profusely since the incident. She also said that Cary gave her a simple piece of advice during their time together, and by sharing it with her I think he was sharing it with the world: she said, “He laid his hand on my two hands and said, ‘You’ve got to learn to like yourself a little more.’ I’ve often thought about that.”
You can catch Cary’s films all day today on Turner Classic Movies. Perhaps it’s the perfect time to acquaint yourself with him if this post intrigued you!
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I love Cary Grant. He was an amazing actor and his films are timeless. Enjoy your movie day! xo style, she wrote
Thanks so much for your comment! I couldn’t agree more, he was truly a classic!
Cary Grant was a very handsome man and he sure knew how to dress like one!
Didn’t he? Just love his style!
Oh Cary. Dashing and handsome and wonderfully charming. I love me some suave and yet genuine hunk of a man
Ha! I couldn’t have said it better than that!
I enjoyed read this, specially Ms. Hepburn said. My gratitude and my best wishes to you!!
Thank you very much!
I am in absolute awe of your tribute to Carry Grant. I wish men could still dress like that. I’m actually watching The Philadelphia Man right now and I love it. bravo doll! btw your blog looks amazing on the iPad.
Aww, thanks so much, sweets! So glad you enjoyed it – and thanks for letting me know about the iPad. I don’t have mobile internet so I’ve always wondered how it looks on tablets and such!
Such a dashing and stylish man!
<3Honeysuckelle
He was so handsome.
Always loved his acting! Such a timeless style!
? from © tanvii.com
Oh, I watched Cat on a Hot Tin Roof earlier this summer and for weeks after, I searched the thrifts for clothing items that would match how Edith Head had styled him…I wanted to try the look myself.
I do love me some Archie Leach. I think my favorite films of his are Notorious with Ingrid Bergman and His Girl Friday with Rosalind Russell. When it comes to debonair British men with all the charm in the world, no one beat Cary. He also gave awesome advice to his daughter Jennifer: ‘Don’t worry about what everyone else is thinking because they’re too busy worrying about themselves to really think about you. ‘
Fab tribute, Casee!
Thanks for sharing that quote, Kendra! I don’t think I knew it. And I couldn’t agree more, Notorious is one of my all-time favorites. He and Ingrid are both gorgeous. I haven’t seen His Girl Friday all the way through, such an oversight on my part!
Brilliance. He is such an amazing man. Did you know, that when I think of masculinity, I think of men from his time period? It’s so different from now, but it’s just the classic male that is so divine
I love that! And I definitely agree. There was a different sort of masculinity back then, now it’s almost become a stereotype.
What can I say about this post? It’s perfect! I love Cary, and I wish men were still ‘made’ like him.
He was THE gentlemen and so stylish and charming. His expressions in films, especially in ones like His Girl Friday and Arsenic and Old Lace always crack me up. Ah, too bad they don’t make em like him anymore. haha!
Thanks so much, Gabbie! You’re too right. His expressions are some of my favorites, especially in Arsenic and Old Lace! And Bringing Up Baby, of course. I love how he went from doing comedies like that to the Hitchcock films like North by Northwest where the wit was more deadpan. He could do anything!
Each of the photos you show here is a revelation to me! I know who Cary Grant is, of course, but I confess I know and have seen very little of him. Your marvelous post gave me a new and rather broad perspective on who this man was and why he is still so relevant in Film, Fashion and Popular Culture, as well as a true inspiration.
Thank you for the beauty Cary…and thanks to you, Casee darling, for sharing it yet again with us! xoxoxo
Thank you so much, Bere! You’re the sweetest. I’m glad I could share a bit of insight into Cary’s character. He’s such a popular icon, but I think the boundlessness of his personality is best seen through his films. I’ll definitely be making you up a list of ones to watch!
Very nice post! I need to watch more classic movies ^^
Also wanted to let you know, you’re on my new blogroll
Thanks so much, Kari sweets! You do, I’m sure you’d love them. And thanks for the blogroll add – mine is in desperate need of an update, but yours will be going right on there as well!
LOVE these old-school photos!!!
Thank you for such a wonderful post Casee Marie! Excuse me while I just faint! Cary Grant would have to be the most charismatic, splendiferous actor that has ever graced our humble little earth. They don’t make gentlemen like that anymore, do they? Loved all the gorgeous eye-candy too. Great pics xxxx