Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof"
courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
“The Power of Paul”

On September 26, 2008 Paul Newman died. He left behind a legacy of philanthropy unmatched by any other television or film star. He also left behind a collection of some of the greatest movies Hollywood has ever made. Though he only won one Oscar for his acting work, he was nominated nine times.

Newman burst on to the acting scene in 1954 in “The Silver Chalice,” a film in the mode of “The Robe” and “The Big Fisherman.” Based on a popular novel by Thomas Costain the movie featured Virginia Mayo, Jack Palance and Pier Angeli. Newman actually wasn’t bad as the sculptor around whom the story spread, but he hated himself in the role and later apologized for his participation.

A few years later he was cast in the southern gothic sizzler “The Long Hot Summer.” His role was the main one in the film but he had to put up with scene chewing actors like Anthony Franciosa and Orson Welles going crazy around him. Still the movie served him up Joanne Woodward as his romantic co-star and the two married soon after the film was completed.

In 1958 Newman found his sexiest co-star when he made the film “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.” Elizabeth Taylor’s Maggie the Cat was all sultry sizzle while Newman’s icy Brick tried to resist her charms. It was a combination of two of Hollywood’s hottest stars and they were at the pinnacle of their charisma and sex appeal. It also was one of Newman’s best roles and he and Taylor elevated the level of each other’s acting.

In 1961 Newman starred in “The Hustler,” the first of his “H” movies which also included “Hud,” “Hombre” and “Harper.” As Fast Eddie Felsen, Newman was all wise guy and cocky pool player. Newman controlled the movie and he should have won the Oscar for his performance, but it would be another twenty-five years before he recreated the role in “The Color of Money” and took the award home.

Also in the 60’s Newman found his most popular role and that was as “Cool Hand Luke.” Even though he played a convict in the film he was heroic as he had ever been. George Kennedy was blessed with the chance to act alongside him and his performance got him an Oscar and made his career. He did a decent job of acting but it is Newman who should get the credit for elevating his appearance in the movie.

In the 60’s Newman found another sexy co-star but this one was a man. He and Robert Redford became an iconic screen team as they played “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” People seem to think these two made movie after movie together but actually they only re-teamed once more and that was in 1973’s “The Sting.”

Newman gained maturity and gravitas with age and his most critically celebrated role was in “The Verdict.” As a lawyer fighting to win a hopeless case he was serious, sober and stern. It was an older Newman but an even more impressive one. It was his most complex role and his most assured performance.

In 2002 Newman made his last performance in a live action film (he was the voice of an old car in the 2006 Disney animated film “Cars”). He played opposite Tom Hanks in “The Road To Perdition” and received his ninth and final Oscar nomination.

Paul Newman was an appreciated actor but he was also a personality. Whether his movie was good or bad, it was recognized as a box office draw just by his participation in the film. Some performances were better than others but he was that rare actor who never gave a bad performance.

The lights of Hollywood dimmed on September 26, 2008 when we lost a legend. His memory will linger as long as his movies are viewed, and that will be for years and years to come.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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