Flexible origins and exotic displays

Abstract

The ethnic flexibility of Brynner’s star image – his seeming ability to move between, cross and occupy a range of positions without being bound to any single one – revolved around his overall physical look, accented English, as well as his well-acknowledged proclivity for colourful tales of origin that never cohered to a single story. His pan-ethnic star image was fuelled by constantly transforming stories of background, some of which were grounded in fact, and others not. This chapter first charts Brynner’s narratives of origin, from biographical detail to narrations casting his persona in alien and exotic tones. It further offers a concise overview of Brynner’s film roles and, through extensive print sources, maps out his rumoured yet unrealised projects in order to more fully understand the casting policies pertaining to his career. The chapter then concludes with a discussion of his directing and production plans.