Oct 20, 2010

The Lighter Side of JT


When you think of John Thornton,
a happy-go-lucky chap probably doesn't come to mind.

No... you probably think of a handsome,
brooding, hard working, deep thinking soul with a piercing stare
that can melt even the strongest feminine heart.
Brooding is good.

Oh, you're so suave, Mr. Thornton.

However, if you remember, there ARE a few times
in "North & South" when JT lets down his guard a bit...
just long enough for a pleasant expression to flicker across his face.

Sure, Johnny doesn't unleash a big toothy grin...
or a gut-busting laugh...
but he DOES make US smile.
This always brings a big grin to my face!
*happy sigh*

North & South screencaps courtesy of

Remember to vote on the John Thornton poll
currently featured on the side bar.

21 comments:

MillyMe said...

I'd seen Richard in VoD, an episode of RH, Malice Aforethought, Miss Marple and in George Gently, all without realising that he was the same actor, but there was something about the way he inhabited the role of the upright millowner in North and South that "turned me on" to him as the consummate actor he is and not such a very good-looking chap.

Before this, I was doing well if I watched a film or series twice. I have now watched and rewatched North and South countless times and still find immense pleasure in all the characters, but especially in Mr Thornton *melt*!

Today's word verification is "ingly". They seem to have lost the "t", which would describe the effect John Thornton has on me!

tyme_4_t said...

Well this makes me smile & sigh & squee!
I so want to see RA in a VoD type of project soon where he can flash those pearly whites and have a laugh!
Thanks Nat!

diveknit said...

JT gets to me each and every time :)

I was looking for period dramas on Youtube to watch that I haven't seen before when I found a 10 min video which was cut together from all sorts of period pieces and of course some of the train scene from N&S was in it. Just these couple of seconds was enough to capture me and not to rest until I found out what it was and then watching N&S in almost one sitting.
And the rest since is history...!

Avalon said...

Adorable caps, love his boyish smile.

Myrtle said...

Adorable,
Thanks Nat.

rtm said...

LOVE the photos of smiling John Thornton. He's quite stingy with the smiles but when it happen, yowza!! He's definitely my favorite period drama hero... forget Darcy, Thornton is the man!!

kristi said...

He has the most delicious bottom lip. I want to nibble it.

Violet8886 said...

John Thornton is adorable because he is strong and vulnerable at the same time...Even though he can be tough [with his workers] he is also in need of love and is capable of caring. That [and his looks] make him so sweetilicious! I first discovered Richard Armitage in Robin Hood and I worked my way back from there...I just happened to pick up the Robin Hood DVD at the library and the rest is history. :)

bZirk said...

I hated to vote in the poll because I don't love one thing the most. But since you forced it Nat, I voted for his voice. :D That gets me every time, and yes, I love that sweet smile. There is nothing like a strong man having a shy, sincere smile. That's one of the things that got me about Gisborne and John Standring and Harry, and I'll stop now.

BETH said...

Natalie AH! Low Blow! John Thornton is my weakness! If to see Richard in the suit of Mr. T, I was asked to give all my possessions, I will gladly give my house keys, car keys and ... I would give my dog too! [I think I overdid it with the dog, ha ha] Greetings from Argentina.

BETH said...

By the way, I voted for his sideburns Grrrr! Besos ;)

Anonymous said...

Lovely tribute. Gives me chills.

@Rob said...

he did have those soft & sweet moments, thanks for the reminder!

pi said...

Oh. Guh.

I voted "other". Most appealing is his character. I guess that encompasses almost all of the above. :)

bZirk said...

@pi,

If only more men realized the power of that particularly how seductive devotion can be. Oy

Ann Marie said...

@rtm...loved the "yowza" said it all.

To Nat, can't I please vote a few more times? Pretty please? I have more things to vote for...:)

Phylly3 said...

I love the whole JT package but I had to pick "loyalty to family", because of the two scenes that had me first attracted to him -- first at the tea scene when he explains how he appreciates his mother for teaching him how to save money which made him the successful businessman he became -- and later when he tells his mother that he is not good enough for Margaret and the whole gamut of expressions on his face as she gives him her pep talk. Even his interaction with his silly sister is all so real and perfect. I do love a good family man!
I should mention I also married my husband for his family! :)

Twinkling Moon said...

@diveknit, your story of discovering RA is so similar to mine! I too was searching Youtube for period dramas I hadn't seen and lo an behold, N&S comes up. I watched the whole thing on YT before I could get my hands on the DVD. And now, I feel exactly as rtm, JT is my favorite period drama hero :)

@Nat, no fair to make us choose what we like most about JT :( But I ended up choosing "loyalty to his family." Those scenes with his momma get me every time :)

Myrtle said...

In a recent interview a few weeks ago, (can't remember which one, but it is on RA Net) RA spoke about how he tries to save money and was rather 'frugal' like his parents, and how he is reluctant to speculate, preferring to put money into safe, rather than high risk investments. It was so reminiscent of Thornton.

... It was in "my first million in the FT.

Myrtle said...

That darn poll is difficult, how can we pick one Nat, c'mon!

I've gone for 'soft side', I believe that this is what Margaret saw too, when she discovered that Thornton had protected her, even before he new that.................
"he was her brother"

bZirk said...

I think this is the interview.

Hope this doesn't get caught in your spam filter, Natalie.