We can’t believe it has been over 50 years since Paul Newman introduced the world to one of the greatest characters in the history of American cinema, Lucas “Luke” Jackson. He played this famous character in the classic movie Cool Hand Luke. After a wild night of drinking, Luke is sentenced to two years of labor as punishment in a Florida jail where he becomes a member of a chain gang. He experiences severe mental and physical anguish but somehow perseveres. Want to know some fun behind the scenes facts about this classic? Read on to find out!
An Ex-Con’s Novel
Did you know Cool Hand Luke is based on a book written by Donn Pearce? It is loosely based on Pearce’s own life. It includes some of his own experiences in the Florida Department of Corrections. Pearce ran into legal trouble in 1949 for burglary and forgery. He was then sent to jail where he heard about a man named Luke.
An Ex Con’s Novel
The Hunt For a Lead Actor
There were a number of actors considered for the lead role of Luke Jackson. The first serious consideration was Jack Lemmon, but he didn’t think the part was right for him. Then Telly Savalas was approached but he was busy filming another movie in Europe. Paul Newman was then cast as the lead, and he did an amazing job.
The Hunt For A Lead Actor
Newman On Eating Eggs
One of the most memorable scenes in Hollywood history is when Paul Newman’s character wins a bet that challenges him to eat 50 hard-boiled eggs in an hour. Guess how many eggs he really ate? 0. Newman said he, “never swallowed an egg.” There was a trash can beside him so he could easily spit them out. He actually said he hated eggs.
Newman On Eating Eggs
Heavy Christian Imagery
There is a lot of Christian imagery throughout the film. The main character is intentionally supposed to look like Jesus. During the famous egg-eating scene, Cool Hand Luke lies in a crucifixion pose. Luke often speaks to God and sings a song called “Plastic Jesus.” There are many more examples, but you get the idea!
Heavy Christian Imagery
The Banjo That Delayed It All
When Luke is informed of his mother’s death, he sings the song “Plastic Jesus” while playing the banjo. Newman is really playing the banjo in the film. He didn’t know how to before the movie, but producers delayed filming of this scene so Newman had enough time to learn how to play it.
The Banjo That Delayed It All
The Author’s Cameo
The author of the book the film was based on, Donn Pearce, surprisingly makes a cameo in the film. He makes a short appearance as the convict “Sailor.” Donn Pearce actually was kicked off the set towards the end of filming because he was violent. He punched someone and was then banned from the set and the movie premiere.
The Author’s Cameo
It’s All In The Accent
Paul Newman was meticulous in his preparation to portray Cool Hand Luke. He spent a lot of time researching his character. He even traveled to Luke’s hometown of West Virginia where he paid particular attention to the local customs and accents. He wanted his portrayal to be as authentic as possible.
It’s All In The Accent
Florida Wasn’t Exactly Florida
While the film was set in Florida, it was actually Hollywood magic that made it seem that way. Only one scene was shot in Florida. The set was built to model the Tavares Road Prison. Reconstruction of the buildings was done in California and that’s where most of the scenes were filmed.
Florida Wasn’t Exactly Florida
Most Memorable Movie Line
The film Cool Hand Luke is responsible for giving birth to one of the most memorable sayings of all time: “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” This phrase is actually No. 11 on the American Film Institute’s list of most memorable lines. The saying is so popular it has made quite a few appearances in pop culture including in Guns N’ Roses songs “Madagascar” and “Civil War.”
Most Memorable Movie Line
More Religion
One additional interesting religious message is from Cool Hand Luke’s prison number, 37. When combined with his name, it results in Luke 1:37 which is from the Gospel of Luke. This is intentional as the portion of text matches with the message of the movie. For example, the text reads ” “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Cool Hand Luke makes numerous Christ-like sacrifices.
More Religion
Box Office Success
The budget for the film was very high at the time, totaling about $3.2 million! The investment was worth it as the film accumulated over $16.2 million at the box office. The reviews and ratings were also very high since it came out in theaters. Famous and well respected critic, Roger Ebert, gave the film 4/4 and described Newman’s performance as “unforgettable.”
Box Office Success
Signs You Probably Missed
There are quite a few images and props used throughout the movie to help tell the story. For example, traffic signs are used. In one of the opening scenes when Luke decides to vandalize parking meters, “violation” appears and there are stop signs in sight. There is another example when Luke is arrested. The traffic lights turn from green to red. Also, at the end of the movie, Luke becomes fatally wounded and again the lights turn from green to red. Very interesting, don’t you think?
Signs You Probably Missed
The One Non-Fan
Paul Newman was already a very notable celebrity before he accepted this role. When he went to West Virginia to prepare for the role, he was often recognized. Actually, only one person seemed to not recognize him. A nun at St. Joe High School had no idea who he was and asked him what he did for work when he picked up a cast-mate’s sister.
The One Non-Fan
A Unique Criminal Offense
In case you need a reminder, Cool Hand Luke gets arrested after getting drunk one night and cuts off the heads of parking meters. It was a weird crime for sure, but it served to impress gang members who were also in prison. They state in the movie they have never met anyone that had done something so crazy. The crime is believed to make viewers like Luke more and sets up the anti-establishment theme.
A Unique Criminal Offense
A First Time For Everything
The director, Stuart Rosenberg, had no experience before this film. He directed a few episodes of the TV series “The Untouchables” and “The Twilight Zone” but never a film. This experience propelled him to much success. He went on to direct over a dozen movies.
A First Time For Everything
Newman’s Own Foundation
Paul Newman was very charitable during his lifetime. He was very wealthy due to his film career and from his line of foods products from the label “Newman’s Own.” He began his own organization called “Newman’s Own Foundation.” Since it was founded in 1982 it has helped raise over $500 million for different charitable organizations.
Newman’s Own Foundation
A Different Hollywood Starlet
Jo Van Fleet portrayed Luke’s dying mother in the film. She actually was not the first choice for the role but was picked after Bette Davis refused. It is reported she refused because it was such a small acting role.
A Different Hollywood Starlet
No Women On The Set
In order to keep the set as authentic as possible, the director put pressure on the chain gang by banning all women including their wives from the set while they were filming. He even banned Joy Harmon who had a role in the movie and she was forced to stay in a hotel room until her scenes began filming.
No Women On The Set
How the Car Wash Scene Was Made
The car wash scene is one of the most memorable and unforgettable of the entire movie. It seems like it was filmed all at once and the reactions were perfectly synchronized. Really, much of the footage was filmed separately including the part when Joy Harmon washes the car and the prisoner’s reactions. It took a whopping 3 days to create the one minute and twenty-second scene.
How The Car Wash Scene Was Made
Where’s Joanne Woodward?
Paul Newman’s wife and actress in her own right, Joanne Woodward, appeared in about 10 films with her husband. She starred in five films that Newman directed. She didn’t appear in Cool Hand Luke though due to the lack of female roles.
Where’s Joanne Woodward!
The Smell of Success
Paul Newman was already quite famous before the filming of Cool Hand Luke and knew it was going to be a box office hit. He openly discussed his prediction during filming. He stated, “there’s a good smell about this” and he was right!
The Smell Of Success
Boxing Day
Another of the most memorable scenes in the movie has to be the boxing scene. It took George Kennedy and Paul Newman three days to film the scene until it was perfect. It was definitely worth the effort. The scene is awesome!
Boxing Day
Race Car Driver
Paul Newman is a man of many talents. He had many different hobbies including race car driving. He even recorded a charitable TV special about motor racing.
Race Car Driver
Those Baby Blues
The producers wanted this movie to be perfect, so they had a number of scenes reshot. In general, it wasn’t because of the acting, it was often just so viewers had a better view of Paul Newman’s baby blue eyes. The producers thought this would help box office sales, and we think they were right!
Those Baby Blues
The Car Wash
Part of the car wash scene was barely acting. The convicts were actually freezing cold so their shivers were real! As Joy Harmon was one of few females in the movie, the popularity of this scene is amazing. It was one of the most memorable moments of the movie.
The Car Wash
Back-Breaking Work
Of course, this movie demanded the chain gain was doing some intense manual labor. They were really working most of the time! They actually resurfaced a mile of California highway for the movie. Pretty cool, huh?
Back Breaking Work
Serious As Stone
Morgan Woodward played the memorable role of the “man with no eyes.” He wore sunglasses that hid his face and he took the role as seriously as possible. He kept in character on and off the set. He always wore his sunglasses and barely spoke.
Serious As Stone
Working For That Award
The only actor to win an Oscar was actually George Kennedy. He won Best Supporting Actor for his role. He was Luke’s nemesis for most of the movie and eventually became his best friend.
Working For That Award
Extra Help
Donn Pearce had no experience in script writing so they brought in Frank Pierson to do the writing and directing. The extra work seemed to have been a good decision as it is considered one of the best movies of all time.
Extra Help
Expired Meters
The famous parking meter scene wasn’t all staged. Actually, some of the parking meters were real and they were destroyed for the movie in the city of Lodi in California. The city didn’t replace them for many years.
Expired Meters
A Realistic Set
While the set was amazing, it was difficult to recreate the prison complex located in Florida in Stockton, California. Set designers were meticulous so every detail matched. For instance, Spanish Moss was brought in from Louisiana and hung on trees surrounding set prison grounds.
A Realistic Set
Condemned
The set looked so realistic that a building inspector actually thought it was real. He thought it was a real facility for migrant workers. How funny!
Condemned
One Day to Film
Because some scenes took extra time, some had to be done quickly. The scene where Luke’s mother visits him in jail had to be shot in a single day. Actors Jo Van Fleet and Paul Newman pulled it off!
One Day To Film
Continuous Collaboration
The director, Stuart Rosenberg, had his career launched from this film. He continued to work with Newman in four more movies.
Continuous Collaboration
The One Scene In Florida
All of the filmings took place in California except for one scene. The scene where Luke is being chased by dogs was shot on location in Jacksonville, Florida. Newman couldn’t be there so they decided to use a stuntman.
The One Scene In Florida
Famous Family Appearance
Ron Howard’s father, Rance Howard, played the role of the sheriff in the film. Rance appeared in over 100 movies and TV shows during his career until he passed away in 2017.
Famous Family Appearance
Not a Fan
Donn Pearce was vocal of his dislike of the film. In one interview from 1989, he stated, “I seem to be the only guy in the United States who doesn’t like the movie.”
Not A Fan
Too Much Prison
Columbia Pictures decided to not produce the movie because they had just spent a lot of money on another prison film called King Rat. Too bad for them!
Too Much Prison
Time Travelling?
While the movie was set in the late 1940s, there were some things in the film that didn’t quite fit the time period. For example, the song “Plastic Jesus” is featured in the film but wasn’t written until 1957. Luke Jackson’s character was supposed to be a Korean War vet, but the Korean War hadn’t begun yet.
Time Travelling!
The Legacy That Lives On
The movie was so popular, its’ legacy will live on forever. It was turned into a play in London by Emma Reeves. It was also inducted into the US Library of Congress and was selected to be added to the National Film Registry because of its cultural and historical significance. There is also a band name and a TV series inspired by the film.
The Legacy That Lives On
Pearce Made A Lot Of Money
The author of the book Cool Hand Luke, Donn Pearce, sold the movie rights to Warner Brothers for $80,000 and received an additional $15,000 to write the screenplay.
Don Pearce
George Kennedy Fundded His Oscar Win
George Kennedy worried that Camelot and Bonnie and Clyde would take the Oscar win so he invested $5,000 in advertising to promote himself. It was worth the investment, as he won the award for Best Supporting Actor. He stated later on in an interview the money was worth it because his salary was “multiplied by ten the minute I won.”
Best Supporting Actor
Small Roles Led to Big Fame
A number of actors with small supporting roles in the film went on to do great things in their careers. Some people include Wayne Rogers (Gambler), Ralph Waite (Alibi), Harry Dean Stanton (Tramp), J.D. Cannon (Society Red), Dennis Hopper (Babalugats), Anthony Zerbe (Dog Boy) and Joe Don Baker (Fixer).
Wayne Rogers
One Important Poker Game
So how exactly did Luke get the “Cool Hand” nickname? It was actually given to him during a poker game. He won a big pot while bluffing. When he revealed his cards he said to Dragline “Yeah, well, sometimes nuthin’ could be a real cool hand.”
Poker Scene
Blue Mercury Convertible
Paul Newman very much enjoyed making the film, and when he wasn’t filming he rode around the Stockton area in a blue Mercury convertible or on a motorcycle.
Blue Mercury Convertible
Jo Van Fleet Was Nervous!
Jo Van Fleet was very nervous when it was time for her to film her scene. She sat alone practicing her lines. She asked Harry Dean Stanton to sing to her and it actually made her cry.
Jo Van Fleet
Joy Harmon: Too Sexy?
Joy Harmon had no idea how suggestive the famous car washing scene was while she was filming it. It was only until she saw it in the theater did she realize that it is quite sexy. She stated, “I just figured it was washing the car. I’ve always been naive and innocent.” She also said she wasn’t at all trying to act sexy and suggested that could be the reason why the film was so successful.
Joy Harmon
Anthony Zerbe
Cool Hand Luke was the film debut of Anthony Zerbe. He went on to become a very established stage, film and TV actor. He even won an Emmy!
Anthony Zerbe
MTV Reenacted The Egg Scene
MTV’s reality show, Jackass, often featured people doing dangerous stunts and pranks. In episode 2001 the show reenacted the egg eating scene. Three contestants ate as many eggs as possible in front of referee, Johnny Knoxville. None of the contestants ate 50 eggs, but one contestant consumed 30 before getting sick.
Jackass Egg Challenge
Pressure Filled Audition
Joy Harmon was beautiful and blonde. When she auditioned for the scene in front of Stuart Rosenberg and Paul Newman she had to simply model a bikini. No speaking was needed.
Joy Harmon Audition
Donn Pearce and Paul Newman
Donn Pearce, the author of the book “Cool Hand Luke,” actually was not a fan of Paul Newman. He thought the actor was “too cute” to play the role of a prisoner.
Donn Pearce And Paul Newman
Gun Shop
In Buckport, Maine there is a gun shop called Cool Hand Luke’s Firearms.
Cool Hand Luke Firearms
Must See Movie
Since its debut, the film has received much praise and it hasn’t stopped! It is currently included in the American Film Institute’s 1998 list of the 400 movies nominated for the Top 100 Greatest American Movies.
American Film Institute
It’s All In The Family
Younger brother of Paul, Arthur S. Newman, Jr. worked on the set as a Production Manager.
Arthur S Newman
What Age Gap?
Even though Jo Van Fleet played Paul’s mother in the movie, she is really only 11 years older than him.
Jo Van Fleet As A Mother
Aldo Ray
Legendary actor Aldo Ray auditioned for the role of Dragline.
Aldo Ray
Great Movie!
The film is included on Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” list.
Roger Ebert
James Bond
Three Cool Hand Luke cast members appeared in the James Bond film franchise: Joe Don Baker (The Living Daylights (1987), GoldenEye (1995), and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)), Anthony Zerbe (Licence to Kill (1989)), and Clifton James (Live and Let Die (1973) and The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)).
James Bond
Steak, anyone?
Cool Hand Luke’s is the name of a chain of steakhouses in California and Idaho. The restaurants are western themed and unrelated to the movie.
Steak
Music for The Film
Some people wonder why composer Lalo Schifrin used the theme for Eyewitness News in the film. Actually, he composed the music for the film and then Eyewitness News adopted it.
Eyewitness News
Not A Best Picture Nominee
Paul Newman’s Best Actor Oscar-nominated performance was the only one in the category that year to not also get a nomination for Best Picture.
Best Actor