matinee idol
Afternoon show star
A matinee idol is a handsome male actor who attracts devoted, often adoring audiences—especially women attending afternoon performances.
The term evokes early 20th-century theater and film, when matinees drew crowds of female admirers.
It now sounds dated or ironic: He had the looks of a matinee idol but couldn't act his way out of a paper bag.
Principal male actor
- heartthrobObject of romantic admiration
- dreamboatExtremely attractive person
- silver screenFilm industry metonym
- fan mailLetters from admirers
publicity · celebrity · fame · adoration · box office draw · leading lady · screen presence · star vehicle
Silent era matinee idol
- Errol FlynnSwashbuckling 1930s-40s leading man
- pin-upAttractive person's poster
- crushCompress with force
- lovesickPining from romantic longing
Clark Gable · Cary Grant · Rock Hudson · romantic lead · leading role · swashbuckler
Period of peak prosperity
- vintageQuality from past eras
- bygone eraPeriod no longer current
- silent film eraMovies without synchronized speech
- black and whiteWithout middle ground
talkies · yesteryear · timeless · retro · classic cinema · halcyon days · memorabilia · reminisce
Smoothly refined in manner
- debonairSophisticated and carefree
- dashingSpiritedly stylish and bold
- charismaticCompellingly attractive to others
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
magnetism · captivating · enchanting · irresistible · gallant · romantic · seductive · poise
leading man
Principal male actor
- heartthrobObject of romantic admiration
- dreamboatExtremely attractive person
- silver screenFilm industry metonym
fan mail · publicity · celebrity · fame · adoration · box office draw · leading lady · screen presence · star vehicle · Hollywood
Rudolph Valentino
Silent era matinee idol
- Errol FlynnSwashbuckling 1930s-40s leading man
- pin-upAttractive person's poster
- crushCompress with force
Clark Gable · Cary Grant · Rock Hudson · lovesick · romantic lead · leading role · swashbuckler
golden age
Period of peak prosperity
- vintageQuality from past eras
- bygone eraPeriod no longer current
- silent film eraMovies without synchronized speech
black and white · talkies · yesteryear · timeless · retro · classic cinema · halcyon days · memorabilia · reminisce · golden era
suave
Smoothly refined in manner
- debonairSophisticated and carefree
- dashingSpiritedly stylish and bold
- charismaticCompellingly attractive to others
allure · magnetism · captivating · enchanting · irresistible · gallant · romantic · seductive · poise · sophistication
- showbizHollywood, Bollywood, Tinseltown, backstage, behind the scenes
- celebrity typesdiva, heartthrob, icon, bombshell, leading man
- Heartthrobsheartthrob, heartthrobs, James Dean, Elvis Presley, Rudolph Valentino
- stock charactersvillain, sidekick, hero, damsel in distress, fool
- Film Biographiesbiopic, movie star, film career, filmography, movie stars
- Victorian TheatreHenrik Ibsen, proscenium, Oscar Wilde, footlights, backstage
matinee idolcharacter actor
Specialist in memorable sidekicks
ugly duckling · plain Jane · schlub · heavy · grotesque
matinee idolnobody
Inconsequential person
unknown · extra · background actor · has-been · bit player