Wednesday, November 17, 2021

The Man in the Plaid Shirt...


'Her Husband... Her Room...And Another Woman!'


Last month, as a lead up to Halloween, TCM did a horror marathon each Sunday night.  In addition to the great films featured, what drew me to the series was that each week, host Ben Mankiewicz was joined by comedian Mario Cantone who both helped choose the movies, and provided commentary.


I've been a fan of Mario's for many years, and reached out to Mario back in 2009 about a 'Favorites' interview for the site, which you can find. (HERE:)  I had never seen 1964's Strait-Jacket which starred Joan Crawford and Diane Baker.  Filmed two years after What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, Strait-Jacket was part of a 60's trend of former leading ladies, unable to get other roles, turning to campy horror flicks in order keep working.


The film, as well as Joan Crawford's performance, are indeed campy and over-the-top, but the movie, as silly as it was, was also a fun watch.  In the film's first few minutes, we're introduced to the husband of Crawford's character Lucy.  I don't think it's a spoiler to say, her husband doesn't stick around for very long....


I was instantly drawn to the actor's smile and great face, not to mention his thick chest, something I find synonymous with many actors from the 60's and 70's.  Today's leading men tend to be much leaner, and I must say, I've grown to love those beefier chests from actors from the time.  I didn't know who the actor was and given that the role was so small, he wasn't included in the films credits.


A quick search however, told me the actor was Lee Majors, in his very first role, even before becoming famous for his television roles in the later 60's and 70's.  I was never really a fan of the actor, although I remember my parents used to like watching re-runs of The Six Million Dollar Man. Although Majors sadly never did a nude scene, I did have go searching for more of his beautiful beefy chest.  Check out some of my favorite finds on the NEXT PAGE HERE:

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