So Long, Butch Cassidy

Sad news today from Hollywoodland. Paul Newman passed away. He was born in Cleveland, like myself and was the first celebrity that I understood was from my hometown. Newman's Sporting Goods was still open when I was very little. He attended the same high school as my mother (albeit a generation or 2 ahead) and I always thought that was a big deal. My favorite movie of his is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In fact, I'd reckon it's one of the 20 best films of all time.

How cool was Butch? Way cool. I'm not well versed in Newman's classic films (pre-1968), but I'd like to give a shout to his performances in Hudsucker Proxy, Road To Perdition and especially the greatest movie ever about hockey, Slap Shot. Can I get a witness? But go back to Butch Cassidy and he and Redford make the prototypical action-movie buddy team, complete with witty banter and sterling chemistry.

I can remember the earliest occasions of seeing Newman's Own salad dressing at the grocery store and asking my mom about his charitable work. It was his popcorn though that was the big no-brainer, although in later years, his cookies and pretzels remained hits in my household.

Here's to those blue eyes. Maybe I'll find time to watch Butch Cassidy this week.

Peace

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