Germany’s last Kaiser, Wilhelm II, had a “withered” left arm, in the parlance of the day, apparently due to a birth injury. In photos you’ll find his left hand in his pocket or under a cape (he loved uniforms with capes), or his left side turned away from the camera.
Bob Dole lost most of the use of his right arm when he was wounded in World War II. He also keeps his right hand in his pocket a lot, or keeps a pen clutched in his right hand to deter people from trying to shake it.
Hauer had kind of a beer gut going for many years, didn’t he? Maybe his various directors were trying to divert attention from that fact.
He’s had slightly-debilitating back problems since a bone infection in 1983.
Y’know, osteo weakened.
The sex scenes in that movie were pretty hot. Like you I was mostly paying attention to JJL, but I think I would have noticed if there was anything bizarre about Hauer’s anatomy.
When I was active in the Libertarian Party a frequent speaker at conventions and such was Richard Boddie, who is missing an index finger. He was so accomplished at not drawing attention to that hand – using the other to gesture when he spoke, for example – it was three years before I noticed it. Even when he wasn’t ‘on’ he had a pipe that I never saw him smoke (Being in California this was not unusual) but was always fiddling with. Holding the bowl let his fingers curve in such a way that you just didn’t notice that he was one short. It wasn’t shame or embarrassment, but rather making his audience pay attention to his message rather than his funny-looking hand.
Ages ago there was a ‘Love American Style’ episode that featured a young man who was about to date a woman who’d been a centerfold. His buddy pointed out that you could see everything – except her hands. Every shot they were out of frame, or behind her, or in gloves. On the date she wore gloves and he became obsessed with seeing her hands. I don’t remember how it came out – whether there was an innocent reason or if he ever saw her hands at all.
Where’s the groaning smilie? 
I’ve seen her called “the girl with the Picasso eyes.”
Her hands were the only things “virginal” about her. That’s why she kept them covered. I believe the ep ended with her realizing he was the man for her, and she slowly shyly removed the gloves.
I can’t believe I remembered that.
Yeah, I was trying to think of a film I’d seen him in where he wasn’t playing a bad guy or someone who was just plain wierd
Out of everyone mention so far, Scotty is the one I have the most respect for. He left half of his finger on a beach in France, during D-day.
A true hero.
So that’s what I need. Various directors.
Director John Woo used this for ages. It’s really overplayed in that Nicholas Cage, John Travolta, Christian whathisname flick with the military jets and missing nuclear bombs…
IIRC Rutger showed most if not the full monty in Spetters.
In a drawer in his desk.
Sharp eyed (and quick) viewers can catch glimpses in some of the Trek eps or movies (“Keyboard? How quaint.” - iirc), but he was more often seen holding something or with his fist slightly clenched. I know some older guys (mostly vets, like Scotty) irl who do that fist thing.
As for the Rutger thing, I, too, think it’s more about the type of roles he often plays where the characters are tending towards a certain look. “I’ve seen … things … you people wouldn’t believe.”
Face Arrow?
Broken Off?
Hauer has a new book out. Some interesting stuff about Blade Runner and his career here: 'Blade Runner' actor on 'strange profession' - CNN.com
I believe The Long Riders (1980) started the “badasses in overcoats” trend in the US.
Another trick photographers used for Willie in posed photos was for him to be holding a pair of large gloves or gauntlets in his bad hand to create virtual length. In conjunction with the other tricks it worked quite well.
It didn’t fix his being an asshole, however.
