The Ideal Postal Tribute to 'Cool Hand' Paul Newman

Peter Rexford
Wed, 26 Aug 2015 21:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

In 1969, we all got an interesting history lesson when the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was released starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It was a true story that had been only slightly Hollywood-ized. Even the film's opening stated, "Most of what follows is true." That included their many train and bank robberies as well as fleeing to Bolivia to escape the law.

While they were on the run, a posse (thought to be Pinkerton Detectives) tracked them. In the movie, Butch and Sundance rode around-the-clock and each time they thought they had lost the posse they showed up again in the distance following relentlessly. Seeing them continuing to approach Butch (Newman) would always comment, "Who are those guys?!" The movie was a global blockbuster and images from it even ended up on postage stamps in a few small countries.

Some 15 years after the film, people and large corporations were asking the same question about a tiny startup company making salad dressing. Created by Newman, who enjoyed making oil and vinegar dressings for his friends and neighbors, he had begun by putting it in wine bottles with crude parchment labels. Soon, it went into actual production with labels featuring his image. Bottles began showing up on supermarket shelves beside regular salad dressings. According to Newman, "It started as a joke and got out of control." The rest is history.
Updated: Thu Aug 27, 2015

In 1969, we all got an interesting history lesson when the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was released starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It was a true story that had been only slightly Hollywood-ized. Even the film's opening stated, "Most of what follows is true." That included their many train and bank robberies as well as fleeing to Bolivia to escape the law.

While they were on the run, a posse (thought to be Pinkerton Detectives) tracked them. In the movie, Butch and Sundance rode around-the-clock and each time they thought they had lost the posse they showed up again in the distance following relentlessly. Seeing them continuing to approach Butch (Newman) would always comment, "Who are those guys?!" The movie was a global blockbuster and images from it even ended up on postage stamps in a few small countries.

Some 15 years after the film, people and large corporations were asking the same question about a tiny startup company making salad dressing. Created by Newman, who enjoyed making oil and vinegar dressings for his friends and neighbors, he had begun by putting it in wine bottles with crude parchment labels. Soon, it went into actual production with labels featuring his image. Bottles began showing up on supermarket shelves beside regular salad dressings. According to Newman, "It started as a joke and got out of control." The rest is history.

All profits from his line of products — now numbering over 100 foods in multiple categories — goes to the Newman's Own Foundation and its affiliated charities. Top of the list is his famous "Hole In The Wall Gang Camp." Named after the gang from the film, Newman created it in the image of an old west town and setting. Believing that everyone should be able to enjoy the magic of summer camp, Newman designed it expressly for children's and families coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia and other serious terminal or life-threatening illnesses. Newman wanted the camp to be an oasis for kids where they could enjoy childhood and feel free to, "raise a little hell."

Since its inception in 1988, The Hole In The Wall Camp and Newman's SeriousFun Children's Network has benefited over 600,000 kids and their families due to Newman's Own products generating upwards of $430 million — and growing. Even after his death in 2008, Newman's Own has continued to raise funds and cater to seriously ill children.

Next week, a new "Forever" commemorative stamp honoring the Academy award-winning actor, racecar driver and philanthropist will be officially released in Cleveland, Ohio, (near where he was born). A proclamation will announce that it is officially, "Paul Newman Day."

The stamp features a classic image of the timeless Newman that could have been extracted from any of his endless hits. Perhaps most fitting would be from his starring role as Lucas Jackson in "Cool Hand Luke," one of the most provocative and introspective roles of his career.

The image on the stamp is entirely unassuming. At the top is the name, "Paul Newman." Along the side are the words, "actor/philanthropist." Above the words, "forever/usa" (the use of lowercase is clearly intentional), Newman is shown in a T-shirt and casual sweater. His piercing blue eyes and salt-and-pepper hair complement his subtle smile evident in every one of his films and especially in "Cool Hand Luke."

Even with his worldwide fame, no one summed him up better than George Kennedy who played the role of "Dragline" in "Cool Hand Luke." Kennedy's words said and still say it all...

"He was smiling ... you know, that, that Luke smile of his. He had it on his face right to the very end. Hell, if they didn't know it 'fore, they could tell right then that they weren't a-gonna beat him. ... Oh, Luke. He was some boy. Cool Hand Luke. Hell, he's a natural-born world-shaker."

He still is for over almost a million very ill kids and counting. The stamp is the perfect tribute. Best of all, it assures no one will say, "Who was that guy?"

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the new Paul Newman "Forever" stamp has been sent with this column.