PAUL NEWMAN 1925 - 2008
So Paul Newman has passed on.
There is little here we can add to all the accolades he has been recieving as actor, car racer, humanitarian and all round good guy. He deserves them all.
So here at Planet we'll salute him for portraying some of the coolest guys ever to tread through the celluloid from Hud Bannon in 1963 to Sully Sullivan in 1994. And though he'll always be Eddie Felson the hustler and Butch Cassidy the outlaw we'll best remember him as Cool Hand Luke.
So to toast the memory of Paul Newman I'd suggest a glass of very fine whiskey or make an excellent bolognaise with one of his sauces.
Newman was also memorable in "Harper" with a terrific ensemble - Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Strother Martin, Robert Wagner Robert Webber... one of the coolest detective flicks of the '60s and William Goldman's first complete movie script.
Also "The Rack" from 1956, which shows up on TCM now and then. There's a devestatingly poignant scene between Newman and Walter Pigeon (playing his father) which is as good as any in any 1950s Hollywood movie.
I remember him being really solid in "Harper". I remember the film as being a pretty cool and stylish affair. I liked Newman in the follow up "The Drowning Pool" made nine years later. Although the film itself was not as strong.
Also I've been hunting for a copy of "The Silver Chalice", Newman's first and worst film which has a totally OTT chewing the scenery performance by Jack Palance playing Simon Magus. Haven't seen it for years.
BTW I put a plug in for your blog at my one http://paleo-cinema.blogspot.com/
Yes, I've heard of the notorious "Silver Chalice" but never had the privilege.
I really liked your blog. Didn't hesitate to bookmark it.