AN OUT AND OUT GEM OF A MAN.

Save the Last Dance...For Joanne.

Today, Saturday, September 27, 2008 I learned of the passing, yesterday, of Paul Newman.

Back in the late 1950's when my step father reluctantly gave me 5/- a week pocket money, spending some on a movie on a Friday or Saturday night gave me a great avenue of escape from the abuse and suffering that I experienced at home. Here was an opportunity to live another existence for an hour or two, one conjured up on screen and taken into a soul in great need of comfort or diversion.

Settled into a plush seat in the huge Odeon at Leicester Square in London , the lights dimming as Pathé News came on as part of a three hour extravaganza of entertainment, was pure ecstacy for me as I was transported into so many worlds other than my own.

There were many fine actors and actresses that I admired but Paul Newman stood out to a 17 yr old college student. Not only was Paul such a consumately handsome lady's man but he had such a 'cheek' or 'sass' about him as was well demonstrated in the renowned film 'Cool Hand Luke' . Representing 'society' and all it's inherent needs to impress upon any free spirit it's need to 'communicate' a certain acceptable 'way of behaving' , the prison superintendent was as merciless and brutal as a regime can be, yet Luke, still with a flicker of a smile, repeatedly raised his head for one more spark of the rebel's life to shine forth.

Paul Newman was perfect in the role and has been , understandably, attached to it ever since.

Beyond his career and with the spirit that few have equalled (Jimmy Carter comes to mind), Paul has dedicated much of his life to giving to those in need as well as benefiting society in general through his many entreprenurial activities, not the least of which was over $250,000,000 raised by his food companies.

Unlike many of his contemporaries who were prone to philandering, in his 49 year long relationship with fellow actor and mate, Joanne Woodward, Paul seems to have kept the shine on his 'star' as bright as ever, hence the loss of his light, and his humor is the more deeply felt.

My sincere condolences to Joanne, the girls and his entire family.

Go happily into the night my good friend.

You will be long remembered.