462. HOMBRE (1967)

Running Time: 111 minutes
Directed By: Martin Ritt
Written By: Irving Ravetch, Elmore Leonard, Harriet Frank Jr., from the novel by Elmore Leonard
Main Cast: Paul Newman, Fredric March, Richard Boone, Diane Cilento, Peter Lazer

NEWMANIA!: PART III

The third film in the "NEWMANIA!" week festivities, is also the one that I had been dreading the most. However, it actually wound up being the best of the three that I've watched, thus far.

This time around, Paul Newman is John Russell, a white man who was kidnapped by the Apache Indian tribe when he was a child and raised up as one of their own. When his biological father passes away, a messenger is sent to John to tell him that he has inherited a boarding house and that it could be a big opportunity for him to get back into the good graces of the white man. However, John doesn't seek the good graces of the white man and despite putting out the caretaker of his newly inherited property, Jessie (Cilento), he decides to sell the property, in order to buy a herd of horses. Once the decision is made, Russell makes it his first priority to head out of town and along with Jessie and an unhappily married couple, Doris and Billy Lee Blake (Lazer), who live at the boarding house, he does just that. They are joined by highfalutin couple, Dr. Alex Favor (March), agent for the Apache tribe and his wife Audra. The final passenger to board the coach out of town with the eclectic group is Cicero Grimes (Boone), who strong arms his way onto the ride, by taking a ticket from a would be passenger. Now our story is set into motion, as seven passengers and a driver take off on an out of town trip. But, actually this is only the beginning, because the coach is about to get high-jacked by a group of bandits.

The picture that I posted on this blog the other day, of Newman with long hair, wearing a red bandanna and looking very much like a white man dressed as an Indian, just seemed really silly to me. However, there were two elements that made this film for me. The first came when the beginning credits were rolling and the line, "based on the novel by Elmore Leonard" came up. Back in the day when I was just as much a reader, as I was a watcher, I read a lot of Elmore Leonard books and while I never read any of his Westerns, I knew that I was in for a treat. The other element that made this film for me was the inclusion of Richard Boone as Cicero Grimes. In my opinion, he was the star of this picture. Newman did a fine job, in reality, barely saying a word and playing his character very cold and intense, but for my money, Boone was the highlight of the picture. The scene that really grabbed me and turned this film from an average western to a great western is the scene where Grimes first appears and steals the ticket away from the soldier. Boone's dialogue may have been written down on paper for him, but he delivered it spot on, forcing you to love every minute of your hatred for him. Great stuff and even his name is menacing: Cicero Grimes!

Now, back to Newman - I loved the fact that his dialogue was kept to a minimum and how John Russell only spoke when he had something intelligent or important to say. It was a device that made for a really bad-ass character and off-set the obnoxious Grimes really nicely. Add in the other characters, like Dr. Favor played brilliantly by Fredric March and you've got a recipe for greatness. Martin Balsam was even convincing, handing in his jury foreman gear to play a Mexican and playing it well, I might add. I've been waiting for a REALLY GOOD Western to come along and make me take notice of an entire genre and while I'm sure there's better out there, this was a fabulous Western and one that will only do positive things in making me appreciate the entire genre.

RATING: 8/10 I should really go into every film dreading it, because it's always the ones I dread that turn out being the best. Next up for Newman: "Cool Hand Luke".

MOVIES WATCHED: 327
MOVIES LEFT TO WATCH: 674

August 19, 2011 2:28pm

403. HUD (1963)

Running Time: 112 minutes
Directed By: Martin Ritt
Written By: Harriet Frank Jr., Irving Ravetch, from the novel Horseman Pass By by Larry McMurtry
Main Cast: Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal, Brandon de Wilde, John Ashley

NEWMANIA!: PART II

Moving right along with "NEWMANIA!", we jump two years into the future, to 1963 and "Hud" - a Western set in it's own time and one that I definitely enjoyed.

Paul Newman is the titular character Hud Bannon, the beer drinking, woman chasing, son of ranch owner Homer Bannon (Douglas). Upon the films opening, Hud's nephew Lon (de Wilde) is trying to track him down, as it seems there is trouble on the ranch. When Hud is finally located and brought to the ranch, two things are made evident immediately - 1) Hud and his father don't get along and 2) the cattle at the Bannon ranch are sick. The veterinarian is called in on the subject of the cattle and foot and mouth disease is expected. On the subject of Hud and his father, it seems it all stems from a particular night, many years ago when Hud and his brother were involved in a car accident, leading to the death of Homer's eldest son (and Lon's Dad) - Hud was driving. Despite Homer and Hud's weakened relationship and Lon's loyalty to his grandfather, Lon still looks up to Hud and has a tendency to follow him around wherever he goes. Also, the maid at the Bannon household, Alma (Neal) is the object of both Hud and Lon's desire and she's a pretty good flirt, at that.

I really don't have a whole lot to say regarding "Hud", so maybe I can keep this short & sweet. I thought "Hud" was a fine film. I wouldn't go so far as to call it exceptional or outstanding, but when factoring in the breathtaking cinematography, the fantastic acting from everybody involved and the generally smooth flow of the entire picture, it's not hard to understand why it was included in a book of "MUST SEE" movies. Paul Newman will always be a favorite of mine and watching his films are so easy for me. Even when I don't like a particular film of his, it's still easy for me to just sit back and watch him perform and soak it all in...and think about how sad it is that he's passed away.

What was going on with Patricia Neal in this movie though? It seemed like whenever her character appeared on screen, sexual innuendos were being thrown around like baseball's. Did anyone else find it a little odd that the character of Alma seemed to be flirting with Lon? While going into his room to wake him up, she continues to tickle him and she coddles him when he doesn't feel well, sitting next to him loyally and holding a cold glass of lemonade on his head. For 1963, you didn't see a whole lot of sexual innuendo, but "Hud is packed with it. Check out this exchange between Hud and Alma:

Hud Bannon: Man like that sounds no better than a heel. Alma Brown: Aren't you all? Hud Bannon: Honey don't go shooting all the dogs 'cause one of 'em's got fleas. Alma Brown: I was married to Ed for six years. Only thing he was ever good for was to scratch my back where I couldn't reach it. Hud Bannon: You still got that itch? Alma Brown: Off and on. Hud Bannon: Well let me know when it gets to bothering you.

In fact, beyond that, this film is actually filled with great little pieces of dialogue. I especially enjoyed this line that Newman delivered: "It happens to everybody, kid. Nobody gets out of life alive". Great stuff.

RATING: 7/10 Nothing terrible on display here and with some time, that rating could rise, but for now I'll play it safe and stick to my gut - '7'. Next up for Newman: "Hombre".

MOVIES WATCHED: 326
MOVIES LEFT TO WATCH: 675

August 17, 2011 6:01pm