Paul Newman has made films spanning the decades. From the 1950’s to the 2000’s, Paul Newman played many roles. Sometimes an attorney and sometimes a gangster, he played both sides of the law. Other roles included that of prison inmate, husband and son of a wealthy family, hustler, and businessman. You never knew what role he would play next. Whether you watch these classic movies for the action and adventure or just to gaze into Paul Newman’s dreamy blue eyes, they are worth watching! This article will explore ten of his best classic films from the early years of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
1. The Silver Chalice (1954). This classic Paul Newman movie is his first on the screen. Before this, his acting was mainly on television series. In The Silver Chalice, Paul Newman is hired to make a holder for the cup of Christ with the faces of Christ and the disciples engraved on it. The job takes him on a journey that includes a trip to Jerusalem and to Rome. Watch this 1950’s movie of Paul Newman in his film debut.
2. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). This is one of my favorite movies with Paul Newman starring. It also features a young Elizabeth Taylor. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is about a wealthy family with a dying father who will soon be leaving his fortune to one or both of his sons. Paul Newman’s character, Brick, defies authority and does what he wants. He has become an alcoholic, and not worthy of much, blaming himself for his friend Skipper’s recent suicide. However, he has closed himself off from his wife Maggie (Elizabeth Taylor) because he feels she slept with Skipper before his death. Brick also is mad at his father for feeling that he was so much into his money that he never loved his son. The movie is about working through emotions and confronting the truth. The surprise ending for me was great!
3. The Long, Hot Summer (1958). Paul Newman stars in this classic film which stars his soon to be wife Joanne Woodward. The two were actually married in 1958, the same year the movie was released. In this 1950’s early Paul Newman film, Paul plays Ben, a man who bums a ride to Mississippi with two women, one being Clara (Joanne Woodward). Clara’s father Will (played by Orson Welles), owns half of the small town where they live. Will has a son, but doesn’t really feel he is suited to take over for him. So, when he meets Ben, he is excited. He sees a chance for his daughter to finally wed, and a good guy to take over the family business. Clara isn’t too keen on the idea at first, as she already has a boyfriend. But Will (the Father) isn’t going to give up this easily in getting what he wants! Can he persuade his daughter to change her mind? I think if I had been Clara, one look into those baby blue eyes of Paul Newman would have done it for me.
4. Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956). Consider this a predecessor to the Rocky movies in the 1970’s and beyond that featured Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. Paul Newman’s character is Rocky Graziano, who became a boxer and becomes the Middleweight Boxing Champion. However, the two Rocky characters had different backgrounds. Paul Newman’s character went to prison for criminal activities and then he gets drafted by the Army before getting involved in boxing. Rocky Balboa’s character is a Roman Catholic whose father urged him to use his body to make a living because his brains weren’t that great. This is how Rocky Balboa got started in boxing. Somebody Up There Likes Me won an Oscar in 1956 for Best Black and White Cinematography.
5. The Left Handed Gun (1958). Don’t miss this classic Paul Newman film with Paul Newman starring as Billy the Kid in your classic western movie. In this flick. Paul Newman’s character Billy the Kid tries to get revenge for his friend’s murder, by finding and killing anyone he thinks was responsible for the death. The only problem with this is that it ruins the previously peaceful times in the territory and puts his other friends in harm’s way.
6. The Prize (1963). In The Prize we get to see Paul Newman in a different type of role, as a spy. Andrew Craig, Paul’s character, is actually an award winning writer. However, as of late, he has become much more involved in the pursuit of women and drinking. He attends an award ceremony for his literature in Sweden, and begins to believe that another prize winner is actually a fraud. Thus begins he spy work at finding out the truth. This is a must see Paul Newman classic older movie.
7. The Hustler (1961). In this classic film, Paul Newman stars as Fast Eddie, a gambling pool player. He makes a living hustling people for money playing pool. He has heard that the best player around is Minnesota Fats (played by Jackie Gleason), and decides he will take him down. This Paul Newman movie is about the determination of Fast Eddie to not be satisfied until he has beaten his rival.
8. Hud (1963). Paul Newman plays Hud, a selfish guy who really just worries about himself. He’s into the booze and women, and doesn’t really much care about the principles and values of his father. The father, Homer (played by Melvyn Douglas), basically tells Hud he can leave the ranch and go out on his own if he doesn’t like the father’s rules! Who will win the battle between father and son, especially when the cattle ranch starts having all sorts of troubles?
9. From the Terrace (1960). In From the Terrace we get to see another classic flick with Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward. Paul Newman plays David Eaton, a young man who comes back from the war to find his mother an alcoholic due to years of neglect from her husband and David’s father. David decides that he will become a success, and moves to New York to pursue his dreams. He meets Joanne Woodward’s character Mary, and the two end up getting married. Unfortunately, his father dies of a heart attack. Watch the scenes unfold as Newman’s character strives to earn success in his life, sometimes at the expense of his marriage. Will his fate be the same as his father’s?
10. Hombre (1967). I enjoy Hombre because of the style of acting Paul Newman portrays in this classic film. The movie reminds me of Cast Away starring Tom Hanks, where Hank’s character really doesn’t have to say much to convey the plot. The same is true with Newman’s character here as John Russell. Russell is white, but was raised by Apaches. So, he faces prejudice when he collects his inheritance when his father dies. The action then ensues. The film has literary value in that it shows a view of Native American treatment and trying to get Indians and Americans to establish a peaceful coexistence.
What are your favorite Paul Newman early classic movies from the 1950’s and 1960’s?
Reference:
- voices.yahoo.com/top-ten-classic-cary-grant-movies-9821687.html?cat=40
- voices.yahoo.com/top-ten-outdoor-adventure-wilderness-6394350.html?cat=16
- voices.yahoo.com/top-ten-sensual-summer-movies-6377544.html?cat=41
