Photos: Warner Bros. – Seven Arts
Although we may only see Paul Newman’s face on a salad dressing bottle anymore, it’s a damn delicious reminder of his greatness, and what better way to celebrate said greatness than with a 50th-anniversary toast to the classic movie, Cool Hand Luke? The 1967 prison yard classic was nominated for Best Writing and Best Actor (Newman) and won for Best Supporting Actor (George Kennedy), but there’s plenty of classic moments to remember, too.
With credits as far back as 1949, we celebrate the guy who gave us the kinds of movies we never get anymore in film. With ’60s classics like Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, it’s no surprise Newman was given an honorary Academy Award in 1986, along with being named Man of the Year by Harvard University in ’68. A Broadway theater actor turned lovable Hollywood idol and philanthropist, Newman set the bar for actors that is unlikely to be surpassed.
Enjoy as we recap some of the best moments of Cool Hand Luke as we celebrate its 50 years of existence and the man, the myth, Luke himself: Paul Newman.
Remembering Paul Newman’s Greatness As ‘Cool Hand Luke’ Turns 50
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Cool Hand Luke
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Sometimes Nothing Is a Real Cool Hand
Paul was a man of few words, but the ones he did use were impeccable. Let that be a lesson to choose your words wisely, make them count and make them memorable. And sometimes nothing truly is a cool hand.
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RIP George Kennedy
Photo: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts
About this time last year, George Kennedy, who played Newman's prison buddy, passed. As much as we love Paul, it's not complete with George, kind of like the Beatles.
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Like A Child
Photo: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts
Newman has several moments in Cool Hand Luke that remind us he's just a boy in a man's body. The snapping turtle scene has a friendly Stand by Me vibe with a grown man. We should all be so lucky to have those moments
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Resilient
Photo: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts
The entire movie is basically about Newman never backing down, despite all his failed attempts. Resilience is a trait of the underdog and the successful, something not enough people exert when it comes to life's greater obstacles. Stay resilient, friends.
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Really Resilient
Photo: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts
No, like, really resilient.
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Boobs
And what classic would be complete without a good boob scene? She may have been practically the only female in the film, but, good lord, she made it count.
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And Bums
That bum is no slouch either. Joy Harmon may be 76 now, but we're betting she's still a stone fox. She gave up acting to run a bakery in Burbank. Bet those are some tasty treats.
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Protein For Days
Watching Cool Hand Luke make anyone else hungry for eggs? Any reminder to get more protein is welcomes, especially when it's done in an eating contest. This was long before the hot dog competitions, much classier.
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Celebration Through Relaxation
Photo: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts
I've said it once, and I'll say it as long as they pay me to, but celebrating the small victories is huge. It gives us a moment to stop, step back and see what we've accomplished, and hopefully one day gain some perspective from it. And if there are eggs involved, you know it's a healthy choice.
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The Original Chillax
Photo: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts
Paul, we miss you. And we miss good movie actors. Happy 50th to Cool Hand Luke. Paul Newman would have been 92 this year.
