MovieChat Forums > The Shop Around the Corner (1940) Discussion > Vadas

Vadas

posted 14 years ago by brittany-beasley
11 replies | jump to latest

I found vadas character to be rather flamboyant, and therefore I found it odd that miss matushchek was having an affair with him. I guess that wasn't the intention of the director though

[–] Molly-31 13 years ago

That's part of the surprise and very subtly executed it is, too. Vadas is coded gay, as in behaving in such a way that he appears to be an effeminate homosexual. He talks from the beginning about dating pretty women, but that could be a dodge, right?

Wrong! Instead of being gay as in attracted to men, he is gay in the older sense, what they used to call a "gay blade". Flashy dresser, showoff, perfect hair, likes to throw money around and straight -- he has women falling all over him. Or likes to think he does! In fact when he is with Mrs. M. and she gives him diamonds, he is a gigolo, a "kept man" (a male mistress). If you've ever read Colette's book Cheri, this used to be very common.

Don't forget your tsvets!

[–] audierules 12 years ago

I thought he was 100% gay.

[–] athomed 12 years ago

I just thought he was a weasel.

That’s a very interesting mixture of poetry and meanness.

[–] crlnrgbrght5 11 years ago

He was Mrs. Matuschek's kept Man, or whatever they were called in Europe in those days. I suppose if the Audience was paying attention a little more closely to Him, they would have figured out He was the younger Man Mrs. M was carrying on with. I mean He was a sales Clerk in a shop which means He couldn't possibly afford those expensive tailor made clothes and the jewelry as well.

[–] maxman-5 8 years ago

I just thought he was a weasel.

Good description!

[–] princesstinymeat 11 years ago

I still think he's gay.

[–] coldnaps 9 years ago

He's not. get over it

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 8 years ago

He was a womanizer and a very smooth talker.

Although I wonder how Mrs. Matuschek could afford to give him all that money? It's not like her hubby would have had millions from owning that store....

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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen = 

[–] bedrock1960 8 years ago

Interesting that you feel that way, because in real life Joseph Schildkraut was ANYTHING but gay....quite the opposite!

[–] caladon 8 years ago

In the trailer for the movie, Frank Morgan refers to his character as the "Beau Brummell" of the shop. I took it to mean that he's always dressed up and likes to make a good appearence to impress the ladies.

Jesus is the Son of God and my Lord and savior. Pretty cool.

[–] maxman-5 8 years ago

Exactly caladon.