Paul Newman 1925-2008

"You know something Fantan? This world is so full of crap, a man's gonna get into it sooner or later whether he's careful or not."- from the film Hud, 1963

A great AT film icon.

Hud & Cool Hand Luke are my in my top 20 favourite films.

Yeah, I can't think of another classic movie that's as overlooked as Hud. It never gets any mention but it's a perfect film and Newman was the perfect actor for the character.

What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it. I don't like it any more than you men.

Luke: I can eat fifty eggs.
Dragline: Nobody can eat fifty eggs.
Society Red: You just said he could eat anything.
Dragline: Did you ever eat fifty eggs?
Luke: Nobody ever eat fifty eggs.
Prisoner: Hey, Babalugats. We got a bet here.
Dragline: My boy says he can eat fifty eggs, he can eat fifty eggs.
Loudmouth Steve: Yeah, but in how long?
Luke: A hour.
Society Red: Well, I believe I'll take part of that wager.

Cool Hand Luke may even hit my top 10.

Yeah, Cool Hand Luke is my all-time favorite movie. I was a bit older when I first saw it (27), was floored when he played Plastic Jesus, and immediately went out and bought a copy, which has become the default film in my house. You know, the movie you put on when you're working on something else.

I was going to do a recommendation on it this weekend in honor of Paul's passing, but there's an update going on. I think I'll just change my avatar later in honor.

Lots of great characters in that movie. Babalugats is played by a young Dennis Hopper, but don't also forget Harry Dean Stanton, and George Kennedy's Dragline is my favorite film heavy.

Anyway, though this is a sad passing, I understand Paul new it was coming and was able to say his goodbyes to family and friends. This wasn't a shocking death, but still sad.

(unlike Joe Strummer who went to sleep and never woke up.)