Quick Flicks

Holiday (1938): Starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. This is quite an enjoyable screwball comedy although it isn't the greatest film in the world. It has some genuine laugh out loud moments and a strong supporting cast however I felt there was a lack of character development, especially with the character of Julie. 3.5/5

All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960): Starring Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner. An interesting storyline but the script tends to become too melodramatic. Natalie gives her all, and is stunning, but I wish the script had allowed her to develop her character more. Despite its flaws the film would make an interesting study as Natalie's character suffers most of the blame during the film, whilst Wagner's (who was perhaps more at fault) is largely seen as an object of pity. 3.5/5

Signpost to Murder (1964): Starring Joanne Woodward and Stuart Whitman. An American film set in England, this film feels like a quintessential British murder mystery. Joanna is wonderful as a woman who is not all she seems. The atmosphere is eerie and the plot twist is both unexpected and chilling. 3.5/5

Winning (1969): Starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Wonderful performances from Paul and Joanne, (in fact I think this may be one of my favourite Paul roles!) The film is bittersweet, realistic and engrossing, don't be put off by the cars! And I loved Joanne's outfits and the quintessentially sixties theme. (The only flaw is that no one would cheat on Paul Newman with Robert Wagner!! Ha!) 4/5
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Summer Reading Challenge: The Hustler

The Hustler by Walter Tevis tells the story of 'Fast' Eddie Felson, a young, talented pool hustler. After losing to the famous, Minnesota Fats, in a forty hour game of pool Eddie has to revaluate his life as well as raise enough money for a rematch. He takes up with the alcholic, Sarah, who he moves in with and begins playing in smaller pool halls.  A man called Bert becomes his manager and begins to train Eddie for the rematch with Minnesota Fats. The novel published in 1959 was made into a film starring Paul Newman in 1961.

Tevis' novel is fast paced, easy to read, but realistic and gritty. His characters are complicated and full of conflicting emotions. The pool scenes are particularly tense but even if you don't know anything about pool (as I don't!) Tevis makes them entertaining. His style of writing is reminiscent of Ernest Hemingway and blends world weariness with questioning, often poetic statements.

"there seemed to be no longer a range of sensitivity to his vision. He felt he could see in the dark or could stare at the sun-the brightest sun at full noon-and stare it out of the sky" p. 45

 “He liked brains, and he admired people who read books. He had read a few himself” p. 64

“Then, suddenly, she turned and began limping back, slowly. For a moment he felt as if he could not breathe” p. 68

For the most part the film follows the book very closely (minus a few small differences), the biggest difference is that in the novel Sarah doesn't die, she doesn't even go with Eddie to Kentucky. They simply part in a way characteristic of their entire relationship, neither one fully able to commit to the other. Her death in the film changes the atmosphere of several scenes, Eddie's game with Findlay becomes less victorious, Bert becomes even more of a villain and Sarah's choices are more complex. Sarah's suicide in the film also gives Eddie's final victory even more weight.
The casting of the film was also excellent-Paul Newman is perfect as Eddie portraying the right mixture of arrogance, confusion, talent and like-ability. Piper Laurie is also well cast as Sarah, world-weary and vulnerable. Shot in back and white the film perfectly sets the scene of the novel, the seedy pool rooms, the bus stop, the dark streets and the variety of characters Eddie encounters along the way.

"The cigarette tasted like tar…’What did you give me, ‘ he said, ‘marijuana?’

She smiled the faint smile again. ‘They’re French.’

‘What for?’

She seemed to think a moment. ‘I don’t know,’ she said, ‘to impress my friends, probably.’ 

It was a peculiar answer, but sufficient” p. 54

The Hustler is a fascinating novel, a look at mans ability to win and lose and how their natural talent and arrogance create these outcomes. Tevis creates memorable characters and atmospheric settings, it is a novel well worth reading, and one that I think should be talked about more often. 

Harper (1966)

"Tell me about Sampson's disappearance"

"He disappeared"

Lew Harper (Paul Newman) is a private investigator, his wife is asking for a divorce and he sleeps in his office, an old friend asks him to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy man. At first the case seems ridiculous, the man has only been missing for one night, and is disliked by both family and friends, but as Harper investigates further it becomes apparent that this is a complex case involving kidnapping, extortion and murder.

(This poster is rather amusing if you read it!)

Harper was one of a series of successful films starting with the letter 'H' for Paul Newman, others included, The Hustler, Hud and Hombre. A slick caper with witty, sarcastic dialogue a selection of cold hearted characters and unexpected twists and turns, Harper was a hit at the box office and became the 23rd highest grossing film for 1966. Harper feels like what the James Bond films could have been had they reached the same level of cool and smarts.

The film costars Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Janet Leigh, Pamela Tiffin, Shelley Winters and Robert Wagner. The real star is of course Newman. He's ridiculously cool and has a quip for any situation, at first he seems detached from everyone however as the film progresses a more human side is revealed. His dedication to his job has alienated him from those he loves but he is always determined to 'get the job done'. He is pitied against a group of characters who have their own selfish motives and lead shallow lives, Bacall is a former horse riding champion who has lost the use of her legs, Tiffin is her conceited step-daughter and Wagner is the pilot who seems to have connections to all involved. Harper figures them all out, though not even he will be able to guess the ending!

4/5

Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)

Somebody Up There Likes Me was based on the life of boxer Rocky Graziano, and was a role which had originally been intended for James Dean. However following Dean's death the role was given to relative newcomer Paul Newman. Directed by Robert Wise (of West Side Story and The Sound of Music fame) the film cemented Newman as an up and coming star.

Rocky is a poor young man who is constantly in trouble with the law, in and out of numerous prisons, and after being dishonourably discharged from the army he finds success as a boxer. His success gives him a new purpose in life as well as providing a wife and children. But Rocky is still burdened by his past and has to confront it in order to move on.

(via)

Paul Newman's emotion and intensity create a memorable performance, Rocky's beginnings as a poor angry young man, and his final victory as a family man who has finally found his place in the world are handled realistically and sensitively. Pier Angeli is lovely as Rocky's wife, gentle but determined, the film also features Sal Mineo and a uncredited appearance of a young Steve McQueen.
The film has a gritty edge similar to Wise's later West Side Story, but is ultimately an uplifting tale which praises perseverance and belief in yourself and in those around you.

Fans of Paul should definitely see this film, as it paved the way for many of his later roles, complex, rebellious characters who have been treated badly in life and are looking for a way out. Sports fans will also enjoy it, and may be reminded of the famous Rocky films.

                                                                   (Paul with the real Rocky)

4/5 

The Fugitive Kind (1960)

Sidney Lumet's The Fugitive Kind brought three Oscar winners together, Marlon Brando, Anna Magnani and Joanne Woodward. Based on a Tennessee Williams play, the film followed the story of a guitar playing drifter (Brando) and his involvement with with his older employer who is suffering in an unhappy marriage.

Like many of Williams plays it is filled with powerful, complex characters whose outcomes are tragic. Brando plays a typical silent, strong rebel, and Woodward is fascinating as an alcoholic party girl, she makes the audience feel compassion for her character despite her characters lack of development. There is the sense that perhaps her character is the most complex. Magnani however is the star of the film, her raw emotion and sensitivity make her characters final scenes heartbreaking. Victor Jory is well cast as the villain, Magnani's dying husband.

For the most part the film is slow moving, but there is always tension sizzling under the surface (like many of Williams plays/films)  but the characters intensity, and the desire to know more about them keeps the viewer interested.

4/5


And as I love Paul and Joanne, here is a picture of Paul visiting Joanne on the set of this film!