Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Star Quality & Last Chance For Giveaway


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I was naked the first time I saw him, buck naked, and when my eyes met his I froze, one foot in and one foot out of the shower. Why he was there was beyond my comprehension but his back was to the door; he was dressed in jeans, wearing a hat-- and a gun.

I screamed for my mommy-- who immediately started laughing from the other side of the door-- Hysterically!

It was Paul Newman in all his life-size, blue-eyed, Butch Cassidy poster glory, taped to the back of Mom's bathroom door. I hadn't see him, I mean "it"-- the poster, when I walked in. Rather, I caught a glimpse of those blue eyes just as I stepped into the bathtub.

The posted looks similar to this.

The poster was a gift, and apparently, Mom thought having company in the bathroom was a nice idea so "Paul lived there" as she used to say. Her sense of humor was like that and she got a kick out of "bathing with him" on a daily basis. Me, not so much.


Paul Newman was one of Mom's and my all time favorite movie stars. I was 11 years old in 1969 when Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hit movie theaters-- He was 44. But even at my young age, and even though I wasn't allowed to see the film at the time, I knew he was a gorgeous movie star. Many, many years passed for both of us and he continued to be gorgeous and my idea of a real "star".


Today, I have a hard time thinking of a comparable actor with his depth of talent and leading man good looks. Yes, there are some hunks of burning love out there, George Clooney and Daniel Craig come to mind, but in my book, they don't quite measure up to the late, great, Paul Newman-- He was just that special.


The Butch Cassidy poster on the back of Mom's bathroom door is long gone, but after a week of pouring rain that was spent mostly watching a Paul Newman movie marathon on video and DVD, I can honestly say he kept getting better with age-- both in appearance, in his acting and certainly from his very generous philanthropic heart-- Which means I've finally reached the age to say, "They don't make 'em like they used to"....

And if anyone has a life size Paul Newman poster they'd like to share, I have a bathroom door available.

Who's your idea of a true "movie star"?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
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37 comments:

  1. You bring back memories of his exceptional acting. I can understand why the ladies were enamored.

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  2. I think we're pretty close in age. I always thought he was gorgeous, too.

    Never thought about inviting him to watch me bathe, though.

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  3. Now that man was one class act! Everything you said about him is right!

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  4. I'm with you! He was gorgeous, and from what I heard of him he was also beautiful on the inside. I can't think of anyone who compares now either.

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  5. I always loved Robert Redford. I've seen a ton of his movies. I do think Brad Pitt reminds me a lot of him.

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  6. Woo hoo, a bath with Paul. Your mom sure had a great idea with that one. You are so right in all that you say about Paul Newman. He was one of the great ones.

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  7. It has been a long time since a true movie star has graced my presence. Richard Gere in his younger days maybe? Mel Gibson before he went crazy, perhaps?

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  8. I have always been a Paul Newman fan and when his hair turned silver with those piercing blue eyes, oh baby there will never be another like him. Handsome and such a talent. I'm also a huge fan of Robert Redford.

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  9. He was amazing and gorgeous to the end. Robert Redford was gorgeous, but didn't age as well as Newman.

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  10. John Candy...no joke, he was and is my favorite movie star ever. I was driving when I heard about his death and it was the first time grief ever struck me from someone I didn't know personally and I pulled over and wept.True story. I grew up with him on SCTV then all his great movies...just happy he wasn't on my mother's bathroom door !! LMAO !! Great stuff as usual JJ !!

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  11. i remember the first time i saw butch cassidy & the sundance kid...sunday afternoon at gramma's...a real movie actor hmmm....might have to give that one some thought...

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  12. You show why he is great and missed!





    Aloha from Hawaii

    Comfort Spiral

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  13. I liked Paul Newman. I liked that his stardom didn't go to his head, and that he kept his marriage intact, and that he was a philanthropist.

    I hope that George Clooney follows in his footsteps as far as the relationship goes, because he is a good actor, doesn't seem to take himself too seriously, and is active in helping those in dire situations (Africa esp.).

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  14. Have to think about this one...George Clooney maybe...Paul Newman..yes..Clint Eastwood...could be...Johnny Depp..definitely...Matt Damon...hmmmm???....Tom Selleck...???..so many choices!! But these are some of mine for sure.
    Then I think of Fred Astaire and Bing Cosby...actors, dancers and singers. They did it all!!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  15. That made me love your mom!! I can't believe you weren't allowed to see Butch Cassidy when it first came out. I wasn't allowed to do anything, yet they let me go see it. :)

    I'm so old school when it comes to even the term "Movie Star". There are so many actors, but only an elite group of movie stars. Newman was one. Peck and Grant and Bogart. I told you I was old school.

    Today I would say Dicapprio, Clooney and maybe one or two more that don't come immediately to mind.

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  16. I love your Mom sense of humor that is awesome! I hope the rain is stopping soon, seeing all the flooding on TV its horrible. I hope you and your home are okay.

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  17. I have always through Shawn Connery was a class act. Maybe we're just showin' our age but I soooo agree, they don't make 'em like they used to.

    The poster stunt you mama pulled is just priceless. We had a life size Mark Spitz in a Speedo standin' at the top of the third floor stairs at our Sorority house. Early seventies...

    God bless ya and have a marvelous Christmas sweetie!!!

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  18. Your mom is great. What did she do with the poster? You reminded me how much I like Paul Newman movies, so I took a detour to Netflix and added some great movies to our queue. Nice post, Joanna.

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  19. I love your mom's humor! Too cute!! xo

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  20. Great actor. I liked him the most in Cool Hand Luke.

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  21. He made so many good films. "The Sting" was another favorite of mine.
    You can always buy his salad dressing. I found an interesting page about his legacy at the salad dressing site newmansown.com
    Merry Christmas

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  22. That is a wonderful idea! Bathing with Paul Newman... great story!

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  23. My dear Mother had a life size cut out of Clark Gable.
    Right in the bathroom. Always made my jump a little.

    Paul Newman is awesome - love Cool Hand Luke!
    It was life-changing for me!

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  24. Oh I so agree. Paul Newman aged like a fine wine. I got such a kick out of your mother's poster and your reaction to it. Great intro to the post.

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  25. My idea of two great actors would be John Wayne and Katheryn Hepburn. I would have been thrilled to have met either one. And it kind of irritates me that they are doing a REMAKE of True Grit!!! WHY mess with perfection???

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  26. I imagine this guy was a real heart throb for you gals. Even I liked him a lot, particularly in The Sting with Robert Redford and in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.
    As for the ladies I loved Audrey Hepburn, a real classy lady playing wonderful leading roles.
    Difficult to pick a current male or femail actor/actress to compare. Don't think there are any.

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year ~ hugs ~ Eddie

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  27. What a great idea: a Paul Newman movie marathon.

    Hmmm...comparable contemporary actors...I love watching Sean Penn -- he has really made a good body of work, and I think he is very handsome. Female actors I would say Meryl Streep, Sissy Spacek - really, and she just keeps getting better too!

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  28. Sorry but he didn't ROCK my boat... give me Sean Connery any day.... then George Clooney and Brad Pitt! Hmmmmmmm.....

    MERRY CHRISTMAS JJ... may you and your family have a wonderful festive season.

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  29. One of my favorite movies was The Sing, loved Paul Newman.
    Merry Christmass JJ......:-)Hugs

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  30. I have always loved Paul Newman and his elegance and uncanny handsome looks, as well as his talent.
    Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
    xoxo

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  31. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of my favourite films too. Have a great Christmas Joanna - all the very best to you and your family.

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  32. That was a nice tribute Joanna.
    I think your mom is cool.
    The last thing I saw Paul Newman in was Empire Falls, and I didn't recognize him right away. But when I did, I also recognized how much better his acting was than everybody else's.
    Loved him in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean.
    Merry Christmas sweetie. xo d

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  33. i so wanted to be his joanne woodward. they looked so beautiful together. i adore him.
    xoxo

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  34. merry christmas to you and your loved ones !

    i love so many actors.....but will always stop and watch sean connery....oh that voice !

    and how was black swan....i think tomorrow we'll go and watch true grit....the reviews are fabulous !

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  35. There will never be another Paul Newman. Beautiful inside, as well.

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  36. I will forever be in love with Paul Newman.

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  37. He was just gorgeous. And everything I have read bout him suggests he was also a very good man as well. I loved Joanna Woodward as well. Of course I still have a thing for George....he is pretty perfect too.

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