Need help with sexy/mesmerizing film star voice

[Keroin]

OK, more story research. I'm not too up on older movies so I'm hoping some of Lit's film buffs can help.

I need a voice for an important character and it must sound like the voice of a male actor from the 1940's era. It should be unique. An accent would be fantastic but is not strictly necessary. What I want is a voice you'd feel compelled to listen to - especially if you were a young woman.

I'll be doing my own research but any suggestion to point me in the right direction would be very, very appreciated, as always.

Thanks,
K

 

[00Syd]

Bogart was sort of the main interesting male lead during the 1940s. When you said accent all I could think of was Peter Lorre, but it sounds like your looking for someone attractive. Peter Lorre's voice is mesmerizing but sort of in a different way.

Maybe John Wayne? He certainly had an accent.

Clark Gable!! That might be just the man you're looking for. He had a pretty great voice.

Maybe Glenn Ford?

DAVID NIVEN!! Perfect.

I'm more of a fan of 1930s films though, and if you wanted to go that route I would suggest James Cagney. But I'm biased, I've got the biggest crush on him.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know!

 

[LilyBart]

Bogart was sort of the main interesting male lead during the 1940s. When you said accent all I could think of was Peter Lorre, but it sounds like your looking for someone attractive. Peter Lorre's voice is mesmerizing but sort of in a different way.

Maybe John Wayne? He certainly had an accent.

Clark Gable!! That might be just the man you're looking for. He had a pretty great voice.

Maybe Glenn Ford?

DAVID NIVEN!! Perfect.

I'm more of a fan of 1930s films though, and if you wanted to go that route I would suggest James Cagney. But I'm biased, I've got the biggest crush on him.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know!

Mmmmm...David Niven, yes! Although this reminds me of William Powell in the Thin Man movies...no real accent, per se...but lovely to listen to anyway.

Of course there's always Carey Grant. (Thinking, An Affair to Remember, even if that was made in the 50's.)

William Powell. My final vote.

~LB
Tonight's insomniac....

 

[Essene]

*nod*

I immediately thought of Clark Gable.

 

[00Syd]

Mmmmm...David Niven, yes! Although this reminds me of William Powell in the Thin Man movies...no real accent, per se...but lovely to listen to anyway.

Of course there's always Carey Grant. (Thinking, An Affair to Remember, even if that was made in the 50's.)

William Powell. My final vote.

~LB
Tonight's insomniac....

YES William Powell! I was trying to remember his name. Good one. I think he's an excellent choice as well.

 

[Sexualinnocent]

What about Robert Mitchum? Night of the Hunter was a good movie.

 

[Netzach]

Olivier. Circa Rebecca. Mrowr.

Claude Rains, also. I'm talking about voices and the voice of the invisible man is fairly compelling. See him also as a psychological Dom of the highest caliber in Deception

 

[WriterDom]

Olivier. Circa Rebecca. Mrowr.

Claude Rains, also. I'm talking about voices and the voice of the invisible man is fairly compelling. See him also as a psychological Dom of the highest caliber in Deception

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY-ddVDk2do

My feminine half is so smart!

 

[Recidiva]

Erroll Flynn. Robin Hood and Captain Blood, baby.

"Devil May Care Philanderer!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwudettptAw&feature=related

And he and Olivia DeHavilland were just...so...awesome.

 

[00Syd]

Erroll Flynn. Robin Hood and Captain Blood, baby.

"Devil May Care Philanderer!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwudettptAw&feature=related

And he and Olivia DeHavilland were just...so...awesome.

Erroll Flynn is too white bread for me. I thought of him and then said... Naaahhhhh.

 

[Recidiva]

Erroll Flynn is too white bread for me. I thought of him and then said... Naaahhhhh.

How is he white bread? Part of me has a "Finding Nemo" Marlon voice thinking "There's something wrong with you. Really."

The guy was just cool.

 

[00Syd]

How is he white bread? Part of me has a "Finding Nemo" Marlon voice thinking "There's something wrong with you. Really."

The guy was just cool.

How is he not? He was so... clean. At least on film.

When not acting as a charming gentleman for the camera he was a misogynistic dickhead who treated women like crap.

I don't think I've ever liked him. Watching his films always involve a lot of eye rolling. Besides, why would I want to watch Robin Hood when I could watch some of the gritty Warner Bros. Gangster films instead? Way better.

Compare:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anHRnBID3MQ

Vs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4R5wZs8cxI

#2: Way better.

 

[Recidiva]

How is he not? He was so... clean. At least on film.

When not acting as a charming gentleman for the camera he was a misogynistic dickhead who treated women like crap.

I don't think I've ever liked him. Watching his films always involve a lot of eye rolling. Besides, why would I want to watch Robin Hood when I could watch some of the gritty Warner Bros. Gangster films instead? Way better.

Compare:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anHRnBID3MQ

Vs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4R5wZs8cxI

#2: Way better.

I knew he was perceived as a mysogynist dickhead. That I get. I didn't get "white bread."

I think he got screwed over by the Hollywood machine myself. His real life was much more interesting than his fake one.

 

[Keroin]

These suggestions re fantastic! Thanks so much. Busy morning. Will return later to comment and discuss.

Mangoes to you,
K

 

[LifelongCyn]

Gary Cooper. I like the warm, "round" tone of his voice.

 

[Keroin]

Whew, finally have a spare moment! Thanks again everyone, this has been so helpful.

Here's the list so far with my comments:

Humphrey Bogart Great voice but not quite what I'm aiming for

John Wayne Too macho

Glenn Ford I'm not familiar with his voice. I'll do some research today.

David Niven Too feminine

James Cagney I like him but I don't think his voice is right for this character

Carey Grant No.

William Powell This one I don't know well enough, will research

Clark Gable This is a possibility.

Robert Mitchum No.

Lawrence Olivier Oooo, I love his voice but I think it may not be folksy enough. Maybe a cross between him and Bogart?

Claude Rains This one intrigues me, based on Net's description. I want to hear it - farking slow internet! If anyone can offer more input about the quality of his voice, I'd be grateful

Erroll Flynn I loved his Robin Hood! But not right for this character.

Gary Cooper No.

I'll try not to bore you with too much babble but this character - his name is "Red" - needs to seem likable and enticing on the surface but there is something very sinister underneath. If I was going to go for a modern day reference, I'd go with Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector. Red has some very Dom qualities that slowly reveal themselves, (no, this is not an erotic story). I need a voice that captures this.

A Bogart/Olivier combo is a strong possibility, as is Gable, but I want to hear more about Claude Rains. I'm also going to check out William Powell and Glenn Ford.

More suggestions are welcome, or if you think I've missed something about one of the names on the list let me know.

Thanks again!
K

 

[Recidiva]

Claude Rains, if you've ever seen "Casablanca" just think - " I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"

If you haven't seen Casablanca at least enough times to have it memorized, go do so immediately.

 

[Keroin]

Claude Rains, if you've ever seen "Casablanca" just think - " I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"

If you haven't seen Casablanca at least enough times to have it memorized, go do so immediately.

I've...never seen Casablanca.

*Runs and hides in closet*

 

[Recidiva]

I've...never seen Casablanca.

*Runs and hides in closet*

*frown*

You're only hurting yourself.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Recidiva]

If we're talking folksey, I'm thinking American.

Bing Crosby (White Christmas), Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly (Singin' in the Rain), Marlon Brando (think Guys and Dolls for Sinatra and Brando)

 

[00Syd]

When you said folksy all I could this was: Jimmy Stewart. But I doubt he's what your looking for. Too "aw shucks."

ETA: NEVER SEEN CASABLANCA? For shame. The film gets a lot of hype, but its mostly all deserved. I can't think of a more concise, solidly put together movie.

ETA Pt. 2: I also really like Gene Kelly, though I doubt he's who your looking for.

 

[Recidiva]

When you said folksy all I could this was: Jimmy Stewart. But I doubt he's what your looking for. Too "aw shucks."

Yeah, the instant effect is "ZUZU'S PETALS!"

 

[ChuckEPenguin]

Whoa, sorry, I'm in the wrong thread.

 

[Recidiva]

I honestly can't think of a reason why I haven't seen it. I've seen lots of classics. But, nevertheless, there is shame.

Maybe folksy was a bad word choice What I mean is that Red must seem accessible, like he could be any nice, harmless guy. When my protag meets him, he is a Janitor. But, of course, he is not a janitor.

Does that make more sense?

Jimmy Stewart is one of my faves but, yeah, way off for this character.

Sounds like Gary Cooper then. Circa "Friendly Persuasion" when he plays a Quaker. I know you said no, but he's a soft spoken badass.

 

[00Syd]

I honestly can't think of a reason why I haven't seen it. I've seen lots of classics. But, nevertheless, there is shame.

Maybe folksy was a bad word choice What I mean is that Red must seem accessible, like he could be any nice, harmless guy. When my protag meets him, he is a Janitor. But, of course, he is not a janitor.

Does that make more sense?

Jimmy Stewart is one of my faves but, yeah, way off for this character.

Clark Gable. William Powell.