There is an oft-told story of how Paul Newman took out a full-page ad to apologise for his performance in his first film, "The Silver Chalice" when it was first shown on television. Wether this is true, or apocryphal. I don't know ? {Has anyone ever seen a copy of it??).
Now, anyone who has seen "The Silver Chalice" knows that Newman did not do that bad a job in the film. For a first attempt,it's ok. The movie is pure hokum but, most of these "Sword & Sandle" Epics were. (What it does have is amazing and wonderfully stylised art direction, which keeps you watching!)
In my opinion, it is this, his third film, for which he should be humbly apologising. Originally planned by Warners for James Dean, it is risible, to say the least!
Newman gives an almost comic (and terrible!) impression of both Brando and Dean combined, which grows more and more hysterical until its "I AIN'T got the bullets" finale. I think the only Brando cliche he doesn't utilise is the "I could'a bin a contender" line?
Penn must take most of the blame for encouraging Newman to ham it up like this. It is like an over-long episode of one of Warners' TV Cowboy shows that were so popular at the time ("Cheyenne",etc).
Don't get me wrong. I've always been a big fan of Newman's...... he did some terrific stuff in his career. But.... this one would try anyone's patience.
Now, anyone who has seen "The Silver Chalice" knows that Newman did not do that bad a job in the film. For a first attempt,it's ok. The movie is pure hokum but, most of these "Sword & Sandle" Epics were. (What it does have is amazing and wonderfully stylised art direction, which keeps you watching!)
In my opinion, it is this, his third film, for which he should be humbly apologising. Originally planned by Warners for James Dean, it is risible, to say the least!
Newman gives an almost comic (and terrible!) impression of both Brando and Dean combined, which grows more and more hysterical until its "I AIN'T got the bullets" finale. I think the only Brando cliche he doesn't utilise is the "I could'a bin a contender" line?
Penn must take most of the blame for encouraging Newman to ham it up like this. It is like an over-long episode of one of Warners' TV Cowboy shows that were so popular at the time ("Cheyenne",etc).
Don't get me wrong. I've always been a big fan of Newman's...... he did some terrific stuff in his career. But.... this one would try anyone's patience.