Tyrone Power - My Smooth Moustachio Hero.

In honour of the month and movement of Movember I thought I would write about one of the only men I feel can carry off a decent stubble and dashing or rugged 'tash, my ultimate screen God, Tyrone Power.
In fact he could do anything in my books and still come out smelling of roses.....it's those long eye lashes, smouldering dark looks and lips of his, that smile, he could make anything seem ok, if he just smiles. Swoon.

I have long had a crush on Mr Power, since I was a small girl. It never bothered me that he died long before I was conceived, or even before my parents could tie their own shoe laces in fact. He will always and forever be immortal on the silver screen.
Born Tyrone Edmund Power Jnr, to Theatrical acting parents and often referred to just as Ty, he was born on 5th May 1914 in Cincinnati, Ohio, America and sadly aged just 44 he passed away on November 15th 1958 from a heart attack. That's nearly 53 years ago this year, almost to the day. His own father Tyrone Power snr died in his sons arms in 1931, also from a heart attack, whilst waiting to go on stage.
Tyrone Power Jnr, was a  versatile actor and in 1936 he starred in his first Hollywood film, the lead role in Lloyd's of London. He had walked into that movie premiere an unknown actor, he left a movie star, a role he remained for the rest of his life. Throughout his full career he played strong character roles from film noir to light romantic comedies, each with his own rougish charm.

I love Tyrone Power's films, I'm drawn to his strength and romantic portrayals. I am an optimistic romantic soul at heart. The first film, and one of my favourites, that I saw Tyrone in was 'The Black Swan', based on the novel of the same name by Rafael Sabatini. He played the lead role as swashbuckling Captain Jamie Waring, a pirate and Buccaneer with Maureen O'Hara in 1942 in glorious Technicolour.
Set in the Caribbean around the life of the infamous pirate Captain Henry Morgan. It was the first film that stirred my young romantic heart in the school summer holidays and turned pirates, previously seen by my young self as smelly dirty and ragged, into dashing, courageous hero's with a cheeky tongue and a heart that knew when he had found his one true love. To me, it was a romantic fairytale on the historic high seas, a place I was very unlikely to ever visit and therefore this helped it make all the more impressionable imprint on my tender immature heart.

Tierney and Powers in Son Of Fury. 1942.

Later on I discovered that he played alongside on the screen with one of my favourite female actresses, Gene Tierney, in three films and typically for Hollywood they had a love affair whilst filming their first film together, being Son Of Fury: The Story Of Benjamin Blake (1942). Another period swashbuckler, based on the novel Benjamin Blake by author Edison Marshall.
There is something so intense about this movie that it literally makes my heart skip a beat. Gene Tierney has long been a screen Goddess of style, grace and glamour to me. Her sultry exotic looks made her the perfect choice to play Eve, Benjamin Blake's islander wife and love interest as a marooned sailor. I personally, think this photo of them together with it's deep intensity is enough reason alone to make any red blooded gal wanna watch it! 



Tierney and Powers in The Razor's Edge.

The Razor's Edge, (1946), another film based on a novel of the same name, came along next as their starring roles together. It was on this film that it is rumour 'got out' about their love affair together. It is a tale about salvation and trying to find life's answers.



In 1948 they filmed a comedy together That Wonderful Urge. A love rivalry with lots of innuendos. A rich Heiress and a newspaper reporter are thrown together by circumstances.
 I will not bore you with the writing of  the synopsis of these films in too much depth, in case I spoil them for you. They need to be watched to be fully appreciated as the plot unfolds before you. I dislike watching trailers of movies lest they spoil it all for me. I'd much rather watch the movie for the movies sake not for a part I am imagining will happen on screen, on that pathway leads disappointment. Much better to settle down and watch with an open mind I say. The only thing I have done for you, is to allow the films and actors to talk for themselves with a brief clip for those of you who do like to take a sneek peek, thus leaving the choice entirely up to you, the viewer.

Over the years since his death there has been much written about Tyrone Powers love affairs and sexuality, albeit he was married several times, and even though there is no proof many have claimed that he was bisexual. Do you know what, I don't care either way, to me he will always be my silver screen hero. x