There is an interesting contrast between Steve McQueen’s counter-culture on-screen persona and his conservative views.

He was an avid motorcycle racing enthusiast. What you see in the “Great Escape” is his love of the sport. He had a large collection of classic motorcycles at the time of his death in 1980.

NormanF on July 9, 2010 at 9:35 pm

His death at 50 was the result of advanced cancer of the abdomen that metastasized. No one should die that young. And yet he remains an incredibly popular actor today. His rugged good looks, wit and charm all contributed to reputation. I don’t think Hollywood will see McQueen’s likes again.

NormanF on July 9, 2010 at 9:39 pm

My guess is that if you were to rummage through this guy’s wardrobe, you’d probably find more T-shirts with other screen icons of the 50s and 60s. Somehow, the idea of an Italian mobster also being a fan (and collector) of kitschy American movie paraphernalia doesn’t seem as incongruous to me now as it would have, say 20 years ago. In his head, this doofus probably sees himself as some sort of debonair handsome rebel and wants to show the world who he feels his “peers” are on his chest.

Daniel H on July 9, 2010 at 9:58 pm

I find it interesting that the female cop has her name on her jacket. Or could I be wrong?

RJ on July 9, 2010 at 10:08 pm

Noooo, it’s because McQueen was smooth and bad boy, who didn’t take any schit. Italians respect Irish micks like that. Plus, it helped to be a buddy of Sinatra.

patrick on July 9, 2010 at 11:33 pm

Steve McQueen was cool and anyone who aspires to be cool wants to be like Steve McQueen and to a lesser extent James Dean (who was nuts and had a strange personal life that is not known by most people).

Eddie on July 10, 2010 at 1:36 am

RJ: You are wrong. It reads “sezione OADI” which is Italian Police Special Forces.

Quorum on July 10, 2010 at 2:38 am

yay! again schlussel brings us the important news ^^

Jamal on July 10, 2010 at 5:46 am

Good to see an evil mob thug captured.

Truth on July 10, 2010 at 8:45 am

Hey jamal,its still early,have a nice steaming cup of stfu……..

sidney mullis on July 10, 2010 at 9:56 am

Debbie, there’s a pretty good book called “Making Jack Falcone” that’s by a retired FBI agent who deeply infiltrated the Mafia. He talks a lot about a whole inside culture in the Mafia with its own fashions and trends that had nothing to do with the criminal side of it. I don’t remember him specifically mentioning Steve McQueen, but he did say that he didn’t know a single Mafia person who didn’t absolutely love The Sopranos. Part of his undercover work was to have breakfast every morning at a New York diner with a bunch of Mafia thugs, and the morning after a new episode, it was all they’d talk about.

Steve on July 10, 2010 at 11:44 am

Steve McQueen
Cool Guy A#1

what more needs to be said?

of course ‘he’ wants to be “HIM”
…doesn’t everyone?!?

theShadow on July 12, 2010 at 1:49 am

The morally bankrupt Swiss set Roman Polankski free. Committing rape of a minor child is no big deal and fleeing justice is forgiven if you’re a world famous movie director. Sorry for the off-topic rant, Debbie. It need to be said. The story is here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10601930.stm

We live in a world where criminals get to die of old age because they have right connections. Let’s remember that when an Israeli Jew is imprisoned in Europe for what in the scale of human crime, a relatively trifling offense. Apparently, rape wins you your freedom. Forging a passport results in the loss of your liberty.

Such is the scale on which is weighed and found wanting – the post-modern European morality and justice.

NormanF on July 12, 2010 at 10:00 am

Here’s an OT, too.

Making friends wherever they go: MUZZIES

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/uganda/7885111/Al-Shabaab-Islamists-suspected-in-deadly-Ugandan-World-Cup-bombings.html

Al-Shabaab Islamists suspected in deadly Ugandan World Cup bombings

Somali Islamists carried out two bomb attacks in Kampala, killing at least 64 people as they watched the World Cup final, Ugandan authorities said on Monday.

As goes Israel - so goes the World on July 12, 2010 at 12:33 pm

One more item I learned this weekend:

Iran’s armies are Hamas and Hezbollah that are fully developed and engaged. They are amassed on the Israeli border readying for attack at Gaza. They have 2000 rockets thee times as many rockets as they had in 2006 in the war against Lebanon. Many of these rockets can hit every major pop centers including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

When Netanyahu visited Obama, Obama left the meeting to eat dinner with his family. He would not eat with Netanyahu. This was intentional and planned, and it has never been done before. An international high ranking guest would join the family for dinner. This was Obama’s signal to the muzzie world that he has turned on Israel.

As goes Israel - so goes the World on July 12, 2010 at 12:52 pm

his steve mcqueer t-shirt is doubly suspicious seeing that mcqueer’s near-lack of clothing seems to limp-wristedly scream, “i’m really into man skin.”

howardroark on July 12, 2010 at 1:02 pm

Also trivial – but – I think the special forces police woman in the picture looks rather glamorous.
I recall at the airport in Milan, I noticed the person who guides the plane as it taxis around on the ground. She wore an airport uniform of some sort which included a skirt and some rather high heels!
Very fashionable, impractical and Itlaian.

Cat K on July 12, 2010 at 2:19 pm

Italian mafia affiliated, cosa nostra,camorra and ‘ndrangheta are more modern and clever than u can imagine my dear, camorra invested money in the rebuilding project of twin towers and the clothes brand H&M is owned by camorra, and a lot of other things, read the book “Gomorra” of roberto saviano for understand more. bye

Marcello on July 13, 2010 at 1:04 am