Behind the Scenes Behind the Scenes of of Cool Hand LukeCool Hand Luke

Starring: Paul Newman and Starring: Paul Newman and George KennedyGeorge Kennedy

By: Caitlin Van Stone and Marjorie By: Caitlin Van Stone and Marjorie DeSistoDeSisto

Paul NewmanPaul Newman

Born: January 26, 1925Born: January 26, 1925

in Shaker Heights, OHin Shaker Heights, OH Height: 5’9”Height: 5’9” Discharged from NavyDischarged from Navy

in 1946in 1946 Attended Kenyon College,Attended Kenyon College,

Yale School of Drama and Yale School of Drama and

the New York Actors Studiothe New York Actors Studio

His CareerHis Career Performed in plays such as “The Glass Menagerie”Performed in plays such as “The Glass Menagerie”

Spent 14 months on BroadwaySpent 14 months on Broadway His breakthrough role was in 1956 as boxer Rocky Craziano His breakthrough role was in 1956 as boxer Rocky Craziano

in in Somebody Up There Likes Me.Somebody Up There Likes Me.

AwardsAwards Received “Best Actor” Academy Award for his role in Received “Best Actor” Academy Award for his role in The Color of The Color of

MoneyMoney

He was also nominated for seven other Oscars, including He was also nominated for seven other Oscars, including one for one for Cool Hand Luke.Cool Hand Luke.

Newman is also acclaimed as a director.Newman is also acclaimed as a director.

His FamilyHis Family

After divorcing Jackie Witte in 1958, After divorcing Jackie Witte in 1958, Newman married actress Joanne Newman married actress Joanne Woodward, and they had 3 children Woodward, and they had 3 children together.together.

Life Beyond ActingLife Beyond Acting

Paul Newman is the creator of “Newman’s Paul Newman is the creator of “Newman’s Own” food products, which grossed over 100 Own” food products, which grossed over 100 million dollars (more than all of his movies) million dollars (more than all of his movies) that was all donated to charity.that was all donated to charity.

He now lives with his wife in Westport, CT.He now lives with his wife in Westport, CT.

George KennedyGeorge Kennedy

Born: February 18, 1925 in New York CityBorn: February 18, 1925 in New York City Height: 6’4”Height: 6’4” By age two, he was already a stage and By age two, he was already a stage and

radio performer.radio performer.

In the Army…In the Army…

George Kennedy enlisted in the Army George Kennedy enlisted in the Army during World War II, and he stayed enlisted during World War II, and he stayed enlisted for 16 years.for 16 years.

After seeing combat, he became an Armed After seeing combat, he became an Armed Forces radio and television officer .Forces radio and television officer .

As an Actor…As an Actor… Kennedy decided he wanted to act while working as Kennedy decided he wanted to act while working as

technical advisor for “The Phil Silvers Show.”technical advisor for “The Phil Silvers Show.”

He then went on to appear in more than 100 films, with his He then went on to appear in more than 100 films, with his debut as Hawk in Gunfight at Black Horse Canyon.debut as Hawk in Gunfight at Black Horse Canyon.

AwardsAwards

George Kennedy won an Oscar for George Kennedy won an Oscar for “Best Supporting Actor” for his “Best Supporting Actor” for his performance as Dragline in performance as Dragline in Cool Cool Hand Luke.Hand Luke.

He also received a Golden Globe He also received a Golden Globe nomination for nomination for AirportAirport..

The Production NotesThe Production Notes

The film The film Cool Hand LukeCool Hand Luke was based on the was based on the novel by Donn Pearce.novel by Donn Pearce.

Pearce had actually served two years on a Pearce had actually served two years on a Southern chain gang for safecracking.Southern chain gang for safecracking.

He had a small role in the film, and he He had a small role in the film, and he served as technical advisor.served as technical advisor.

Production Notes ContinuedProduction Notes Continued

The Southern prison camp used to The Southern prison camp used to film the movie was built just North of film the movie was built just North of Stockton, CA.Stockton, CA.

For the camp, twelve buildings were For the camp, twelve buildings were constructed and surrounded by a constructed and surrounded by a chain link fence.chain link fence.

Special arrangements had to be used Special arrangements had to be used in order to use country roads.in order to use country roads.

More Production NotesMore Production Notes

During one scene of the film, they really black-During one scene of the film, they really black-topped a mile long stretch of highway for the topped a mile long stretch of highway for the county.county.

Jo Van Fleet, the actress who played Arletta, is Jo Van Fleet, the actress who played Arletta, is actually only six years older than Paul Newman.actually only six years older than Paul Newman.

Even More Production Even More Production Notes…Notes…

During the filming process, a local building During the filming process, a local building inspector actually put “condemned” notices on inspector actually put “condemned” notices on the set structures for not meeting building code the set structures for not meeting building code standards.standards.

He quickly removed the notices when he learned He quickly removed the notices when he learned what the buildings were for.what the buildings were for.