VISITING GUY MADISON
he may have been the most beautiful man in the history of film. today one sees most of his movies only to observe that beauty.
on a recent stay in Palm Springs I convincd my old friend Bill Berger to drive to the mausoleum where Guy Madison rests. we found his wall easily. on top of his stone was written “Our Shooting Star; Forever a Cowboy.” & on the bottom between his dates an image of him as Wild Bill Hickok.
it’s strange that the couple of times I saw him alive I faild to engage in conversation. they were at those all-star award dinners. I think I stoppd myself because I didn’t know how to tell a straight man I thot he was beautiful. but in death I felt at ease. as I pressd my palm to his stone I felt I finally was telling him what I hadn’t.
his tombstone highlights his western career. that’s how I first came to know him. on tv as Wild Bill. & on screen in oaters directd by Anthony Mann & Gordon Douglas. but his icon status in the gay stratosphere comes earlier. those photos of him in Navy duds have been causing palpitations in both sexes for nearly as long as I’ve been alive.
his bit in “Since You Went Away” creatd a legend. from serviceman to westerner to machiste: his career never reachd the pantheon. he was a reliable actor but it was those good looks that assure him a spot in history. golden hair whose curves were worthy of Michelangelo’s touch. alert eyes. noble nose. & that chest.
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photo by Bill Berger 2004
Copyright 2004 Alex Gildzen.