Noël Coward from LIFE magazine

I don't know the context for the photos in which he's posing with the solider-like guy carrying a gun, but he looks like a jerk being so playful (almost mocking).

Of course, I'll eat my words if the guy carrying the gun is some sort of terrorist or soldier for an murderously oppressive regime.

My guess is that it's Cuba.

the last pic is the best pic.

I doubt the huge beard is a regular occurrence in many well-to-do militaries. Judging from the Spanish signs everywhere and the dude's cigar, I'd almost guess Cuba.

The elegant guy is in CUBA, and the beard " look like the infamous communist Che " must be someone of the Castro´s army. Shame on them!!!

Viva Cuba Libre

Maybe it's just me, but even if he is in communist Cuba, there's something off-putting about someone making light of that kind of situation. It's not necessarily about showing respect to the soldier, but respecting that serious things are happening with very significant consequences for many, many people. Oppressed people do not have the luxury of mocking armed soldiers.

I certainly would, as I know very little about it. But I'm not sure how much that could change my judgment here. Guns strongly imply serious life-or-death business, regardless of the moral values or intentions of the person wielding them. On any side of a conflict, there are soldiers willing to die for their convictions. I would spend more time challenging their thoughts than mocking their commitment to a cause, no matter how ill-founded.

Ha ha. Well, when you suggested I research revolutionary Cuba, I thought we had taken the discussion to a more hypothetical context, assuming real soldiers.

To answer your earlier comment and your present one: yes, of course, it makes a big difference if he's being playful around a fake soldier.

I bet your browser auto-fills this in for you when you start typing.

No. My browser actually has three distinct auto-fill options:

1. Sure, but that won't change my opinion.
2. One shoe, one China.
3. Moo, that's ugly.

The irony of these pictures is that the guy is overdressed on every occasion and thus looks like a total tool.

I am curious which bar is pictured on Hemingway photo? It has a lot of theater bills on the walls what could it be?