Tag Archives: Paul Newman

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COOL HAND LUKE BEHIND THE SCENES 2 | “MY SWEET LUCILLE,” THE CAR WASHING GODDESS

In an interview aired on TCM, George Kennedy discussed how Joy Harmon’s iconic car washing scene was originally scheduled for half a day, and how that shoot ended up taking 3 days. Kennedy laughed and said, “Somewhere…there’s 80,000 feet of film with Joy Harmon washing that car!”

When Joy Harmon filmed the scene in which the men watch her wash her car, she had no idea how suggestive it was. It never occurred to her until she saw it in the theater. “I just figured it was washing the car. I’ve always been naive and innocent,” she said. “I was acting and not trying to be sexy. Maybe that’s why the scene played so well. After seeing it at the premiere, I was a bit embarrassed.”

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BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID | THE FILM THAT LAUNCHED AN ERA

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is hands-down one of my favorite films ever.  Right up there with Cool Hand Luke, but in a completely different league.  The film holds memories that go way back for me.   I have  a very special music box that plays Burt Bacharach’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” passed down by my Grandmother, that I will never part with.

Not only is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid superb in its blend of action, drama and humor (extremely quotable)– Redford and Newman never looked better.  Stunning, actually.  The wardrobe is also spot-on.  Particularly when the duo is cleaned up and donned in trim fitting suits, boots & Bowlers.

“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” directed by George Roy Hill, starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman– it was their first on-screen pairing, and supercharged Redford’s career.  Surprisingly, Redford was offered the role of the Sundance Kid only after Jack Lemmon backed out, and Steve McQueen insisted on getting top billing over Newman.  Marlon Brando was also considered for the role, as Fox studio execs felt Redford’s image was too squeaky clean, and wanted someone edgier.

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1969 — “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” directed by George Roy Hill, starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

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Paul Newman in the epic film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” directed by George Roy Hill.

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YEAH, WELL — SOMETIMES NOTHIN’ CAN BE A REAL COOL HAND

Cool Hand Luke

Cool Hand Luke, brother. Enough quotable anti-establishment mantras to ink an entire tattoo sleeve. Enough chambray & denim workwear to choke the toughest clothes horse.

Can’t find your spine? What? You left it at Starbucks, bro? Pick up your shovel and let Lucas Jackson show you how to find it at the bottom of Boss Keans’ ditch.  Sometimes a man enters a fight with nothin’ but his will, and where he came from — and that can be a real cool hand. Watch and learn. Any man who passes up– spends a night in the box.

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TRIED & TRUE STYLE | THE WHITE SHIRT

Montgomery Clift white shirt

Montgomery Clift

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Recently a certain reader took issue with my asserting the classic & indispensable style of the white shirt. And I quote–

“My God, How boring and predictable, a white shirt? Please… These rules are for men who don’t have a clue and just want to leave their house half decent without embarrassing themselves. This I don’t have a problem with, when it’s for convenience, comfort or not having to THINK at all about what to wear, but don’t confuse it with style.”

Huh…  Montgomery Clift– seeking convenience and comfort?  No, I don’t think so.  Errol Flynn– on a quest for decency and concerned with not embarrassing himself?  Somehow I don’t think he was all that worried about it, buddy.  Maybe Johnny Depp appeals to you more?  Bingo.  White shirt.

So let’s set the record straight once and for all–

The white shirt is for guys, what the little black dress is for our lady friends. It is absolutely a style icon in itself, and it can provide the perfect backdrop for the expression of style by letting it’s accompanying accessories sing.  Done.

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