The Eternal Hotness of Paul Newman

Before our next Centennial celebration begins (Robert Altman) here's one last ode to the late great Paul Newman, born in 1925

by Baby Clyde

Happy belated centenary to my Golden Age Hollywood husband Paul Newman. My esteemed colleagues here at The Film Experience have been busy over the last few weeks lauding the man for his impressive career, full of era defining performances and classic films with legendary directors. I’m going to lower the tone somewhat for this finale and talk about the thing that matters most. He is really, really HOT!

It’s the impossibly high cheek bones that swoop down into a prominent nose off set by the surprisingly full lips and cheeky, boyish grin that can turn wolfish all within the same smile. And then there are of course the heart melting, ice blue eyes. It’s as if Technicolor was invented specifically for them. How we all would have missed out had his heyday been in the B/W era...

But his attractiveness isn’t just the dreamboat looks, it’s his style and flair and the fact that you can’t find anyone with a single bad thing to say about him over a 50-year career (Apart from maybe his first wife). The obvious Marry in any cinematic Fuck, Marry, Kill conversation. How is it possible to be so hot and yet so cool, all at the same time?

The list below is not definitive. He made over 50 films during his illustrious career. We are going to cover the first 20 or so years of Peak Paul. Think of this as a beginner guide. An introduction for anyone who wants to witness the fitness for the first time. Let’s start at the beginning…

The Silver Chalice (1954)

A baby-faced Newman’s film debut is in this ropey swords and sandals saga. The good news is that he appears in short togas throughout. The bad is that his character’s name is Basil. BASIL!!!! Not exactly Cool Hand Luke is it? Every dreamboat must start somewhere.

Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)

He was in his 30’s by the time of his star making turn in Robert Wise’s sports drama Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956). He played boxer Rocky Graziano from teenage delinquent to World Middleweight Champ including lots of scenes where a ripped, topless Newman spars in the ring. But it’s his early years as a street hustling hoodlum that make the most impact cos his gang of Ne'er-do-wells include the young and gorgeous Sal Mineo and Steve McQueen. Who wouldn’t want to be mugged by that trio???

The Long Hot Summer (1958)

In this first-rate Tennessee Williams knock off Paul Newman plays ambitious drifter Ben Crisp who rocks up in the small Southern town of Frenchmen’s Bend looking for adventure and opportunities. He finds them with the family of the local big wig Will Varner (Orson Welles). It goes without saying that if a sweaty, golden Paul Newman turned up in your town proposing marriage no sane person would turn him down, so it strains credulity somewhat when Varner’s daughter Clara (Joanne Woodward) must be bullied into matrimony by her scheming father. Thankfully, she had better sense in real life.

The whole film is as hot and sticky as its title suggests. In it our hero invented abs and shows them off by stalking around the house at night in his underwear hugging a pillow. I’m surprised the censors allowed it. Lucky pillow.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Paul spends his time in sexy blue pajamas, drunkenly mourning the death of his college boyfriend. He shows absolutely no interest in his wife, Liz Taylor, at the very height of her Movie Star beauty. She is understandably upset. When he eventually commands her to ‘Lock the door’ in the final scene she obviously obeys. It’s enough to make anyone go weak at the knees. 

Paris Blues (1961)

Paul and Joanne and Sidney and Diahann are far too much beauty for one film to contain. Not much happens but they smoke a lot and Paul plays a trombone. What more do you want? 

Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)

A dazzlingly tight and tanned Newman swan dives off a high board into a glistening swimming pool before emerging from the water to kiss the enraptured Shirley Knight whilst an adoring crowd applauds. It’s one of the greatest moments in 60’s cinema. He spends a lot of time shirtless as in the clip above with his Oscar-nominated leading lady Geraldine Page.

Hud

The Oscar winning Patricia Neal’s world weary Alma has more sense than to get involved with Newman’s womanising bad boy, Hud Bannon. I’m not sure I would have had her resolve. Shot in crisp black and white, he looks divine in tight denim and cowboy hat. Only Paul Newman could make a muddy pig wrestling contest arousing.

Cool Hand Luke

Admittedly watching someone eat 50 hard boiled eggs isn’t the most alluring, but amongst a cast full of shirtless prisoners Newman still steals the show. Whether he’s being beaten to a pulp or chased by blood hounds the blue eyes, radiant grin and every present sweaty glow make this top tier Paul porn. 

The Towering Inferno (1974)

135 stories ablaze and a soot covered Newman is still the hottest thing on display.

The Drowning Pool (1975)

A sequel to his 1966 neo noir hit Harper, Newman is by now a Grade A silver fox. The sequel is memorable only for of an extended scene of our hero stripped to his white boxers trapped in a bath house that is slowly filling with water. It’s genuinely tense but your major takeaway will be awe at how this 50 year old still has the body of a man 30 years his junior.

And of course there’s this. Never, ever forget this…

Comments

[Cláudio Alves]

It has to be said, even beyond THE DROWNING POOL, Paul Newman was always hot. A sight for sore eyes right until the end.

[Lynn Lee]

THANK YOU for this post, Baby Clyde. It's perfection. Like its subject.

[McGill]

I’ve really enjoyed this Paul Newman series.
If I haven’t commented, it’s because the writing has been so excellent, there’s been nothing to add.
My thanks to the team!