One Good Hero

Not all heroes are Hugh-in-a-towel. Lovely as he is, some others are equally memorable.

One of them is Paul Newman -- a leading man who was more than just a pretty face. He was a heartthrob with a brain, a conscience and a talent for not just acting, but for making other people feel as if they, not he, were really the stars.

I grew up watching Paul Newman, frankly wishing he'd passed on some of the anti-heroes he played because I always wanted to like his characters. Now I can appreciate the challenge that appealed to him. At the time, they weren't my favorites.

My favorite, I suppose, was Butch Cassidy. But Lew Harper, his wry laconic detective, ran a close second. And when I saw Nobody's Fool I fell in love with him all over again.

I wrote a piece 'remembering Paul' for Friday Night Film Night at the Pink Heart (it's Friday by now somewhere) so if you want a trip down memory lane, recalling some of the reasons we should be grateful for the gift that was Paul Newman, drop by.

I'd love to hear which of his films you enjoyed. Gunnar might even be persuaded to make me part with a book or two if he likes your answer!