Welcome to "My Sexiest Man Alive (or Dead) List"

Well let’s hear it for People Magazine who this week named Channing Tatum as The Sexiest Man Alive. Big surprise there. No one from this prestigious magazine bothered to call me, and I consider myself a “people.”

Cudo’s from the Heart of Dixie, Hamilton, Alabama, my hometown, to Tatum, star of “Magic Mike,” the ladies favorite film of late that co-starred Matthew McConaughey as male dancers who make their bucks and get their kicks dancing for rich chicks and keeping it real.
I don’t pretend to be a movie critic, but all I was told about this “hot” film was it was “hot,” oh so “very hot,” and with no real violence to speak of, and no planes or cars blowing up in mid-chase across a busy city, well there you have it. A film for the ages.

I really didn’t have a desire to watch “Magic Mike,” not because my manhood would be threatened. It was simply because “I” don’t paticularly like to attend live social events or see films that are solely-about male dancers. I mean, more power to our bud’s, The Chippendale’s and all of that. But as for me, “I” am a disciple of the “old school.” Give me Bruce Willis with a .45 automatic with his back against the wall and enjoy how he gets away from a gang of killers who are experts at Kung Fu.

And then there’s our good buddy, Denzel Washington making tons of dough and pleasing his legions of fans with his latest effort, “Flight,” a movie about Denzel who plays a middle-age airline pilot, “Whip Whitaker,” who has a slight drinking and drug problem, and loves marathon sex romps, but yet manages to crash-land his plane and save his passengers.
Is this not a typical Denzel film or what? Even with his character, “Whip Whitaker,” (get that name. I love it) having to face his own company “legal eagles” after the celebrated crash-landing to are curious about the alcohol level found in his system.

If this were real life, I’d have to say, “good timing, guys. I’ve just saved hundreds of innocent people and you want to measure my alcohol level?” But that’s me. And “Flight” is not an exact-image of real life.

I will say that for my $18.50 a ticket, “Flight” is worth the investment.

Now back to my thoughts on this event, “The Sexiest Man Alive” nomination. And believe this or not, I do have a few thoughts on such a title that, to me, dishonors men both famous and non-famous.

In the same vein as those “cheesecake” beauty pageants that put pretty girls on parade for the chance to win a college scholarship and travel the world as Miss America. Sure, it’s a contest, but are the women who enter this “beauty contest,” being used up to a point? Or should I say exploited?

Call me prudish, and I get it. The girls all sign a legal agreement to be in contests such as Miss America, but to me personally, it’s not a good venue to respect women.

If People Magazine has this much power and sway as to say that Channing Tatum is “The Sexiest Man Alive,” and no one disagrees, then “I” have the right to my own rebuttle as to whom “I” think is the “Sexiest Man Alive (or dead) Ever.”

Care to join me as we look at some “true” sexy guys?

DAN HAGGERTY

You cannot say that a man named "Grizzly Adams" who lives alone, except for his buddy, a grizzly bear, in an uncharted mountain range, is not sexy, now can you? I am talking to the editors of People Magazine who chose Channing Tatum as The "Sexiest Man Alive." With his raw persona, and rugged good looks, Haggerty never had to dance for dollar bills to excite any woman, but then again, with all he had going for him, he really didn't have a need to.

GENE KELLY

Was "as light as a feather" on his talented feet. And although I'm no gambler, I would be quick to wager that each time he two-stepped onto the screen (as he did with Frank Sinatra in "An American in Paris"), female hearts either swooned or broke, or both. Kelly made dancing look easy. That can be said about his acting skills as well. If I were any judge of sexy men, I would be sure to nominate Gene Kelly on anyone's list as "The Sexiest Man Alive" and not have any second thoughts about my choice.

FRED ASTAIRE

Was another suave, smooth dancer who didn't really have to labor at breaking women's hearts. All he did was just get "that" mischievous look on his face, Grab his dance partner, Ginger Rogers, and in a span of twenty-minutes, even devoted married women would take leave of her senses and forget their husband's names. Sexy? You bet. Astaire, along with Gene Kelly, easily makes "my" cut for "My List of The Sexiest Men Alive."

TONY CURTIS

I shouldn't have to write one word to sell you my thinking of how "sexy" Tony Curtis was in his "day on the cinema." Curtis was blessed with all of the male gifts and charms that women adore. Steamy looks, wavy hair and a pouty look that said, "I can have any lady I want," and he did. As an actor, Curtis was hard to beat. And later as his career waned, his closest friends regaled on his attributes as being a wonderful friend, father and neighbor. Yes, indeed. If Tony Curtis wasn't on my "Sexiest Men Alive List," then I'd have to cease from writing hubs for HubPages.

WALTER PIGEON

With his overly-expressive charms and personality, Walter Pigeon was a natural for acting and film roles. Give him a script and a character, and within a short time, Pigeon "was" that character. He was that talented. Plus he had "that" quiet, stately form of attraction that turned women from their daily lives into his world of "paper dreams" and "CinemaScope escapes." The term, "sexy," wasn't permitted in those "nice" movie magazines in Pidgeon's time, but if it had been accepted, Pigeon, I'd say would be at the top of the list for "Sexiest Man Alive."

GEORGE REEVES

Of course, was television's first "Superman," and played that role perfectly. Even as Superman's alter ego, "Clark Kent," Reeves stole the show each week and also ignited those smoldering fires of passion in his coworker, "Lois Lane." Reeves was actually an athletically-built individual, strong, in great shape and had the charisma to make his role as "The Man of Steel" come alive each week on the television screen. Would I put Reeves at the top of my "Sexiest Man Alive" list? No. But near the top.

ALAN ALDA

As surgeon, "Hawkeye Pierce," Alan Alda kept CBS' hit show, M*A*S* H alive each week with his supervision of scripts and character-development. Plus Alda while in character had "this" certain, distinguishable, and sexy laugh that most women would agree, had "that" affect on them. Alda allow his own sensitive side to appear many times in "Hawkeye," as he was quick to listen to his friends and their woe's, and be able to "sweep many of the nurses," off their feet with just a wink. Yes, I would place Alan Alda near the top of my "Sexiest Man Alive" list any day.

DENNIS WEAVER

I am the first to admit that being a man myself, I do not find Dennis Weaver "sexy," but tell that to the late Amanda "Kitty Russell" Blake on Gunsmoke, who I personally believe felt a "certain" fire for "Chester Goode," Weaver's role on Gunsmoke. "Chester" was not what you consider outgoing or outspoken, but he had "that" drawl and twang that some women who loved his acting really loved. Too bad that even in most of his movie roles, Weaver either played a drug addict or "the underdog," salesman who had to fight "tooth and nail" for his life against a faceless truck driver in Steven Spielberg's first movie as a producer, the cult classic, "Duel." Would I say that Dennis Weaver fits on my "Sexiest Man Alive" list? Sure thing. Tell me one good reason why he shouldn't.

LEE MARVIN

Okay. I will keep this brief. Lee Marvin, on and off the screen, smoked cigarettes, drank hard, lived hard and some say died hard. But look at his body of work. "M-Squad," "The Dirty Dozen," and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," are just three hit shows he starred in. With his gravely-voice and straight-forward, no-nonsense approach to acting, Marvin was not only a hit with men, but with the beautiful women of Hollywood in and out of his television and film work. I'd vote Lee Marvin as a sure-thing on my "Sexiest Men Alive" list each year it was compiled.

WARD BOND

Why not Ward Bond? He was rugged, tough, and a real "man's man." And he is best known as "Burt," the beat cop on Jimmy Stewart's American classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." But some entertainment purists argue that Bond's most-memorable work was that of the television western, "Wagon Train." I can't make the call on this one, but as a life-long fan of television, I was blessed to see Ward Bond in his tender moments consoling a girl in distress or just allowing his co-stars to have the best lines. All of these qualities give Ward Bond a permanent place on "My Sexiest Man Alive" list.

ED SULLIVAN

Ed Sullivan? Yes, Ed Sullivan. Loved by New York locals and the endless-parade of celebrities who appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," each Sunday night. Sullivan's show was not "just" another television show, but a staple, an icon and a must-see for Americans who owned television's in the late 50's to the mid'1960s. Sullivan, before he went into television, was a columnist for a noted New York magazine with his column, "About Town," that was the rave of the famous people in Sullivan's day. To say that his show was a success was similar to saying that General Motors makes good money. It was a sure-thing each week to hear Sullivan's famous line, "and now . . .on our shewww," and someone once said, "you had to be famous to just sit in his audience." But Ed Sullivan sexy? Yes. And in a manly, respectful fashion.

MICKEY ROONEY

Cute, cuddly and sweet. These strong adjectives aptly describe, "America's Sweetheart," Mickey Rooney, who starred as "Andy Hardy," for many years and films and stole many female hearts along the way. Rooney was so versatile that he was easily-able to become a clown, a hobo or even a dramatic bard in the lengthy career that Hollywood afforded him. But was Rooney sexy? That would be the burning question. All I can answer with is, "Mickey was married five times, and five gorgeous women can't be wrong." What do you think?

ANTHONY QUINN

With a zest and zeal for life as well as acting, Anthony Quinn rose from the normal title of "movie star," to "movie icon," in a short time. Quinn could do any role he was given. Western, European spy, hard-partying seaman, you name it. You name the role, and Anthony Quinn played it to the hilt. And God only knows at the lovely ladies that Quinn courted over his vast career in Hollywood. To me, Anthony Quinn is "the" inspiration for "My Sexiest Man Alive" list. Actually, I should have put him at the top. But it doesn't matter. Quinn will always be "sexy" wherever he is on my list or any list.

Names you won't find on "My Sexiest Men Alive" list are: Matt Damon; Brad Pitt; Blake Shelton; Brad Paisley; Gavin McCloud; McLean Stevenson; Steve Allen; Steve Martin; Tom Cruise; Dan Patrick; Tom Brady; George W. Bush; Raymond Burr and Ernest Hemingway.

Why? Because these celebrities were always on someone's list somewhere in their careers. I just wanted to spotlight a few men who aren't mentioned that much in 2012.

from me to you . . ."thank you, kindly," for taking the time to read my hub(s) and leave your comments. I sincerely "appreciate" you more than you can fathom.

Sincerely, Kenneth