What you need to watch to honour PAUL NEWMAN
September 29th 2008 05:15
The GREAT Paul Newman should be remembered for the uuber cool characters he brought to life in films like The Hustler (1961), Hud (1963), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973).
But if you’re a real Newmanite, you need to look back a little, to REALLY appreciate the true wonder and magic that was Paul. His earlier roles may not be as critically and commercially acclaimed, but they demonstrate firsthand the magnificence of a truly gifted, promising and charismatic man Paul was – he burned through the celluloid – even before there was colour. We didn’t need this turn of technology to demonstrate just how brilliant those baby blues were – we knew of his magnetism before in films like The Young Philadelphians (1959). Paul didn’t have to guzzle eggs before we knew his was amazing in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Sweet Bird of Youth (1961) and The Prize (1963).
In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, audiences got their first glimpse of the masculine, sultry and powerful Brick Pollitt, as only Newman could play him. It’s a memorable performance and one that well-trumped Elizabeth Taylor’s role as Maggie the ‘cat’. Newman is truly a knockout in this film, one that earned him his first Academy Award nomination, and not surprisingly.
The Young Philadelphians is a story about its namesake – and noone that will resonate in the hearts of film enthusiasts to come. This one of Paul's first feature films, a coming of age story about Anthony Lawrence (Newman) who faces several ethical and emotional dilemmas as he climbs the Philadelphia social ladder. It’s a true love story (not just in the romantic sense) and one that extends to commenting on what constitutes a ‘good’ man. Clearly Newman was the perfect choice, and he is truly stunning in his depiction of Lawrence. It’s a must see!
Sweet Bird of Youth, another Tennessee William’s adaption for the screen, extended Newman to play the role of a careless drifter and wannabe actor’s homecoming – to disastrous affect. Again he held his own to the powerful portrayal by Geraldine Page. I guarantee that any girl that watches this film will not be able to get the image of Paul doing ab-crunches out of her head too soon!
One of Newman’s lesser known roles was in The Prize, one good-old fashioned witty story of a Nobel Laureate – played by Paul – who travels to Stockholm Sweden to collect his prize, inevitably he stumbles across a plot to kidnap a fellow Nobel laureate, and hilarity ensues. This is a classic comedy and while it is yet to be released on DVD, it must be tracked down for true fans.
All in all, Paul Newman has provided the world with beautiful, inspiring and compelling screen experiences, and we are forever indebted to him. He will be remembered as a brilliant actor, devoted husband, philanthropist and auto racing enthusiast.
Let’s not just remember Paul by seeing his face occasionally in the salad dressing aisles of our supermarkets or TV re-runs of The Towering Inferno or The Color of Money. Go out – rent, buy, sell yourself and watch his earlier classic films – you WONT be disappointed!
RIP Paul – we love you…..
But if you’re a real Newmanite, you need to look back a little, to REALLY appreciate the true wonder and magic that was Paul. His earlier roles may not be as critically and commercially acclaimed, but they demonstrate firsthand the magnificence of a truly gifted, promising and charismatic man Paul was – he burned through the celluloid – even before there was colour. We didn’t need this turn of technology to demonstrate just how brilliant those baby blues were – we knew of his magnetism before in films like The Young Philadelphians (1959). Paul didn’t have to guzzle eggs before we knew his was amazing in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Sweet Bird of Youth (1961) and The Prize (1963).
In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, audiences got their first glimpse of the masculine, sultry and powerful Brick Pollitt, as only Newman could play him. It’s a memorable performance and one that well-trumped Elizabeth Taylor’s role as Maggie the ‘cat’. Newman is truly a knockout in this film, one that earned him his first Academy Award nomination, and not surprisingly.
The Young Philadelphians is a story about its namesake – and noone that will resonate in the hearts of film enthusiasts to come. This one of Paul's first feature films, a coming of age story about Anthony Lawrence (Newman) who faces several ethical and emotional dilemmas as he climbs the Philadelphia social ladder. It’s a true love story (not just in the romantic sense) and one that extends to commenting on what constitutes a ‘good’ man. Clearly Newman was the perfect choice, and he is truly stunning in his depiction of Lawrence. It’s a must see!
Sweet Bird of Youth, another Tennessee William’s adaption for the screen, extended Newman to play the role of a careless drifter and wannabe actor’s homecoming – to disastrous affect. Again he held his own to the powerful portrayal by Geraldine Page. I guarantee that any girl that watches this film will not be able to get the image of Paul doing ab-crunches out of her head too soon!
One of Newman’s lesser known roles was in The Prize, one good-old fashioned witty story of a Nobel Laureate – played by Paul – who travels to Stockholm Sweden to collect his prize, inevitably he stumbles across a plot to kidnap a fellow Nobel laureate, and hilarity ensues. This is a classic comedy and while it is yet to be released on DVD, it must be tracked down for true fans.
All in all, Paul Newman has provided the world with beautiful, inspiring and compelling screen experiences, and we are forever indebted to him. He will be remembered as a brilliant actor, devoted husband, philanthropist and auto racing enthusiast.
Let’s not just remember Paul by seeing his face occasionally in the salad dressing aisles of our supermarkets or TV re-runs of The Towering Inferno or The Color of Money. Go out – rent, buy, sell yourself and watch his earlier classic films – you WONT be disappointed!
RIP Paul – we love you…..
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Comment by Two Guys Sports
Baseball Slate
Pro Sports Wrap
Blogging in America
Reviews R Us
Great post. So many missed out on his early work, and he has been amazing from the very start.
Gene
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
the man never seemed to age . . .
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I'm surprised there isn't more love for Somebody Up There Likes Me and Hitchcock's Torn Curtain
You can read my salute to the man by clicking HERE
Comment by David Jobling
Adelaide News | Your News
Sound Pet
Short Performance Works
An actor, philanthropist and charmer, may his family feel the love we all have for him and find comfort in a celebrated life that will live on in his continuing charity fund raising and the legacy he has left on film.
Vale.