Why Rod Taylor?
Thanks go to Ray Cunneff, a longtime fan who helped put into words
the appeal of Rod Taylor and the reason for this Web site:
What is it about Rod Taylor? Why among so many other actors and movie
stars does Rod's work resonate in a special, deeply personal way?
I've been asking myself that question since "Hong
Kong" in 1960. And now, I find there are many other longtime fans
and admirers all over the world. Most amazing of all is to learn that a
whole new generation of fans is only just discovering him.
For me, he is one of the most watchable actors ever on screen. He's got
something going on in every scene, every moment. He's this strapping hunk
of a man who can be incredibly violent and incredibly tender. Comedy as
well as drama, he's "alive" in every scene -- a leading man who's
not afraid to look ridiculous.
Taylor is not classically handsome, yet his face comes together so strikingly
and expressively. His voice proves a surprisingly rich and multilayered
instrument. And underscoring every performance is an incredible "physicality"
-- a body language and grace of motion that separates him from virtually
every other actor.
For a broad-shouldered, muscular man he's never stiff or hulking. At
times, he moves almost like a dancer. Yet there is that distinctly masculine
swing of the arms, the swagger that is uniquely Rod Taylor.
Nobody has ever put it all together in quite the same way. More than
fine performances, he gave a generation of men and women an image of what
a real man might be.
Why Rod Taylor? Because there's nobody else like him. And he's never
gotten the credit he deserves.
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