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Saturday, September 27, 2008
Paul Newman, 1925-2008
Wow. Even though I knew I would be writing this tribute before long, it is still a very rude shock to wake up on a Saturday morning and find that Paul Newman is no longer with us.
Paul Newman is one of those actors whose presence is so great, whose force is so undeniable - and I just noticed I’m writing in the present tense, but you know what? That’s still appropriate. Because as long as his performances are still playing on a screen somewhere, Paul Newman is still with us.
It’s difficult to know where to begin in eulogizing Paul Newman. Perhaps the best compliment I can pay the Ohio native is that he never let me down. Even if a movie he appeared in was less than great, Newman never was.
When Entertainment Weekly in 1997 put together a book of the greatest stars of all time, the stars were listed by category. Newman was one of the “Leading Men,” and he was the first one listed. Coincidence? I highly doubt it.
For each performer, EW listed their essential films: Newman’s were The Hustler, Hud, Cool Hand Luke Slap Shot and The Verdict. I can’t speak to The Hustler (shame on me), Hud or Slap Shot, but the others belong there for sure.
Here are a few of my other favorite Newman performances. The list is by NO means comprehensive; it’s only meant as a highlights reel.
Cool Hand Luke: I saw this for the first time just this past summer, at the Victoria Theatre’s Cool Films series, and now I’m even more grateful for that opportunity. What a complex, magnetic performance.
The Hudsucker Proxy: Betcha no one else lists this one. It may not be one of his great performances, but it’s fun to see his gruffness amid the Coen brothers’ zaniness.
Road to Perdition: I jumped about a foot in my seat at the scene when he slapped his hand down on the table and said “You would like to apologize? Try again.”
Cars: He plays a race car. I don’t care what anyone says about the film - Newman, who absolutely adored racing, couldn’t possibly have gone out on a better note.
What are your favorite films/memories of Paul Newman? Here’s his filmography.
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