I suspect this is right about the writers. Beyond that, two elements about male actors: many in the past were veterans of the military, including wartime. They knew things from experience in the real world that most writers could not imagine. Capable of projecting a convincing male, because they had been there. Second, many of the great male actors began their careers on stage, where attention to whole body presentation in full view was demanding and detailed. No editing, no face closeups, no retakes to make it easy. Bogart, Tracy, Olivier, Burton. Many others—stage actors all.
Good points all.
Funny you should mention Bogart.
Watch the clip linked from post #53. As Bogey walks past the fire-plug, he slaps it on top. Not sure why, but that sort of thing has always seemed to me a very “man” thing to do.
I don’t see that sort of subtle, semi-conscious “man” behavior in more modern movies. FWIW.