I,Too was Born in Shaker Heights,O.A wondefull suburb not to
far from downtown Cleveland.I wonder how many times Paul had a chance
to take the Rapid Transit.It originated in Shaker Heights and went right
on down to the downtown district and then became a Subway.
Most any Clevelander { especially from the East side } knows this.
Paul Newman's father ran a very popular sporting good store in
Downtown Cleveland.It was Newman-Sterns.
I'd be willin to bet,That when Paul worked there,he wasn't too far off
from his character in - The Long,Hot Summer - {1958}.His was a fine
and dandy Ben Quick.The trademark Newman smile,swift on his feet,
quick as a tack,and always one step ahead of the other characters.
There was the usual traditional Newman sense of justice.
I'd have to say Mr.Newman was one of my top 5 actors.Some weeks
he's number one.I used to have a number one,then I grew-up and
started adding a number 2 & 3 & 4 and oh well.Such is the silver screen.
But Mr.Newman was extra special.I knew this in the 60's.Yet he still
grew as an actor and that is somewhat difficult.Most Actors don't
grow.Gene Hackman did.Al Pacino does.Robert NeNiro and a few others
have.Robert Redford never did.
If I had to confess as to what Paul Newman brought to the screen that
was unlike any other,it surely had to be his unique sense of fairness.
I find that Saintly.I Believe THE most important Virtue is Justice.
The ability to play fair,be fair and dole out fairness.
Gary Cooper had that quality as well.
I think Gable and Wayne and Fredric March also did.Spencer Tracy,
had enough.So did James Cagney.Edward G. Robinson had it,but ended-up
playing meek roles in order to make up for his previous gangster image.
Newman might have had an acting weakness,such as Comedy.
Or playing a serial killer like some actors wanted to prove - Tony Curtis -.
Curtis who was a natural in light comedy,thought his best role was that
in - The Boston Strangler -.
I've watched ALL of Mr.Newman's mobvies except one.His first.
And i don't believe even Paul would hold that against anyone.
In fact,after - Silver Chalice - was made,he publicly went out and
openly make nice excuses that that kinda acting would never happen again
from him.Y'know maybe it was a blessing.As in - Somebody Up there Likes Me -.
Paul Newman had a Blessed career,but he also earned every word,gesture
and That Smile.That Luke Smile.He was a World Shaker,he was.
I wonder if his Best Movie according to Me ... - HuD - will play this
weekend. Don't furgit ... " Nobody gets out of Life Alive " !
" You don't look out for yourself,the only helping hand you'll ever get
is when they lower the box. "
Says who.?
Hud Bannon,
is all.