Taking the broad spread of decades into consideration, there's quite an array of contenders. For overall Ultimate Leading Man of the 1930-1955 era, Cary Grant held his charm, persona, looks, and appeal the best throughout the most decades, in fact throughout pretty much the full span of his career. Meanwhile, he seemed an ideal match for any female (or male) co-star in any type film. So, taking everything into consideration, I'll go with Cary for winner of Ultimate Leading Man.

Which is not to say he's my personal fave star leading man, as I've always been a bigger fan of such top stars (of their respective eras, and when each was in his own heyday [before aging, addictions, accidents, or whatever else took a career and appeal toll]) as John Gilbert, Ramon Novarro, Clark Gable, George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, and Montgomery Clift. I've always definitely been a fan of Cary though.

Nice! Love your take on it; I agree with you 100%. I like Clark Gable as well, though not nearly as much as some others, and I'm definitely a fan of Humphrey Bogart and George Brent (whose work I only recently became better acquainted with). A few other select ones that stand out to me (other than those I have already named) are Edward G. Robinson, William Powell, and (of course) John Barrymore.

For me, Gable is mainly '30s films, and a bit into the '40s. Beyond that he got over-the-hill seeming and generally dull. My fave Gable era is first half of the 1930s. Throughout the '30s overall he was considered "The King of Hollywood".

I'd have included John Barrymore on my list (and wanted to), were it not that he wound up in also-ran standing after around 1934-ish, then got (due to sobriety issues) strictly featured roles, so no longer was actually the leading man anymore. In the late '20s and early '30s I also like Conrad Nagel a lot. Ditto, in the first half of the '30s, Warren William (though he was, overall, considered a high level "B" movies star, rather than an A-lister; I love his Pre-Code films - and he's considered the ultimate male representative of those!). There's also the great Leslie Howard during the '30s. Also I'm a big fan of Douglas Fairbanks Jr. during the late '20s and '30s, into mid '40s (but particularly the first half of the '30s). Meanwhile, I must definitely not fail to mention the great Errol Flynn, of during the '30s, '40s, and somewhat onward. And, like you, barry, I'm a William Powell fan.

Great line, Invidia!