For Hollywood heartthrobs in much of the 20th Century, the Pencil mustache was the very apogee of sophistication. David Niven, Errol Flynn, Ronald Coleman, Jimmy Cagney and Clark Gable all had them. Hell, even John Waters sports one. The look instantly told of a suave, dashing and rakish demeanor, elevating the wearer above mortal men. Now it “conveys dignity and even perversity”, according to The New York Times (One always benefits from a soupçon of perversity in ones appearance, I say). Men who can grow proper facial hair are lucky. My cousins, brother and son accomplish this overnight, but my quote unquote abilities in this regard are defective. Alas.
© 2024 John Oliver
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