Clark Gable vs. Humphrey Bogart vs. Cary Grant vs. Jimmy Stewart vs. Errol Flynn

Arguably a listing of the biggest male movie icons of the 1930s/1940s, basically the film icons of the Indy era--but which of these gents was the greatest?

The ones I am most familiar with are Bogart and Stewart, the others I've regrettably not gotten around to seeing in anything. Of those two, I'd go for Bogart. The man personified Jerk With A Heart of Gold characters (much like how Harrison Ford is such for my generation and my preceding one, IMO), and did it masterfully. There's a reason he's often considered Hollywood's all-time greatest leading man. That, and his romance with Lauren Bacall was an inspiring and beautiful thing. But that's of course a real-life thing...

Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart would be my 2-favorites.

Jimmy Stewart would be my first pick as he was a real life Army Air Corps pilot and flew missions. I think he retired from the AF Reserve as a 1-star general.

No question that Jimmy Stewart is the winner here. I don't think he made a bad movie. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It's a Wonderful Life, Rear Window, and Vertigo are all among the greatest movies of all-time. Some of my favorites of his that are underrated are Shenandoah and Flight of the Phoenix.

I would say Stewart and Grant. Both seem effortless actors to me with a real charm about them.

In addition for James Stewart don't forget It a wonderful Life and I really like the remake of The Man who Knew Too Much. Vertigo I'm not a fan of.

Cary Grant was in 2 of my all time favourite films North by Northwest and Charade (the best Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made).

Raiders112390 said:

Arguably a listing of the biggest male movie icons of the 1930s/1940s, basically the film icons of the Indy era--but which of these gents was the greatest?

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Welcome back, Raiders112390. This is just like your other thread:
Clark Gable vs. Humphrey Bogart

kongisking said:

...the others I've regrettably not gotten around to seeing in anything.

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Jeeze Louise, you STILL haven't seen "Gunga Din"?!?! What the hell are you waiting for? Not only does it feature Cary Grant but it is one of the GREATEST ADVENTURE MOVIES EVER MADE!!!

Duaner said:

Shenandoah

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Oh, "Shenandoah"...Yes!

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MOST GREATEST: Humphrey Bogart

LEAST GREATEST: Clark Gable...because of his annoying voice and potato-shaped head. His face was like some kind of squished pumpkin (or something else equally weird) and he was always croaking his lines, sounding like he had a frog in his throat. I've seen a number of his films & have never understood the appeal.

James Cagney

Serious icons only? A lot of folks would say those Marx brothers were pretty iconic