51�Թ�

And in the smart, hugely entertaining “Rules Don’t Apply,” Mr. Beatty expands his absurdist vision of politics and show business to take in Hollywood, where he has reigned as an enigmatic glamour boy turned statesman with serious talent for nearly 60 years.

It was the upstart glamour boy vs. the competent veep, and the glamour boy won.

It was an astute choice for Mr. Danza, now 64, whose days as a glamour boy are numbered.

After which a considerable chunk of the last few days has been spent emoting hungrily over the prospect of Brazil against Colombia in Fortaleza this Friday and the first real clash of the glamour boy No10s at this World Cup: Neymar versus Rodríguez, photogenic cover boy No1 versus photogenic cover boy No2; not to mention a million pre-hystericised internet fan sites, twitter feeds and Facebook tributes versus a million more exactly the same.

He was an engaging fellow, a champion stick-fighter and a glamour boy, whose many girlfriends kept us all supplied with delicacies.