Paul Newman - Tumblr Posts
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Directed by: George Roy Hill
Suggested Song
(do you want the history of your favorite folk song? dm me or submit an ask, and I'll do a full rundown like here)
"Plastic Jesus" Tia Blake, 1971
Plastic Jesus was originally written by George Cromarty and Ed Rush in 1957 and performed live in 1962 at the San Francisco State College Folk Festival, where it was recorded and released later that year in their duo band The GoldcoastSingers.
the back of their debut Album reads
"On a foggy Sunday afternoon in March of 1962, THE GOLDCOAST SINGERS clambered on stage at San Francisco State College before an unsuspecting audience of 1,000 or so. After they were introduced as the final performers at the San Francisco State Folk Festival, people in the audience mumbled, "Who?". This query was followed by shouts of "More!". The reaction was, to say the least, wild. After five encores, breathless and perspiring like pigs, they came on for one last "song," entitled "Plastic Jesus." This ode flattened the audience. All through the performance people had been walking out of the auditorium grumbling, "Mis-guided youth" and "Whippersnappers," but the finale was too much for those whose soft spots had not yet been touched. A dozen (actually twelve) marched up the aisles in righteous indignation. The remaining nine hundred some odd rose in a tremendous ovation. Fortunately that concert was taped, and this record is the product"
I think that the truth is stretched here a bit, and like with the song "Plastic Jesus," it is meant to be comedic.
This is the only album produced by The Goldcoast Singers, but George Cromarty would continue to produce music as a solo artist.
later, in 1964, the song was recorded and performed by Ernie Marrs and was mentioned in Vol. 14, no. 2 in "Sing Out! Magazine.
with Ernie Marrs being credited with writing the lyrics.
Later, in 1967, the song was featured in the movie "Cool Hand Luke", performed by Paul Newman. Interesting for taking the satirical and comedic song and reimagining it as somber. this movie is likely what popularized the song in addition to its feature in the magazine.
in 1971, Tia Blake released what is effectively her only album in France, which led to it being mostly forgotten until it was re-released in 2011. Since then, it has become more well-known. This makes me very happy because i love this album! i think all the songs on it are beautiful and wonderfully made. It's a shame she didn't record more.
I think something very interesting happened with the song, and these 4 covers effectively tell a story with how they each re-imagine it.
the original lyrics by The Goldcoast Singers are biting with satire and are funny if not a bit mean-spirited. We, as the audience, are not meant to relate with the person with the plastic Jesus bobblehead.
then, ernie marrs' version doesn't have the intro of the original duo, and shortens the lyrics a bit, but like other works that Ernie Marrs helped write like "The People are Scratching" and "What a Friend we have in Congress" (1966) and (1963)
the humor and satire are a bit more gentle and more subtle. To me, it feels like if you aren't really paying attention, you could miss it. it's comedic, but it could pretty easily be remembered as a charming fun folk song rather than a satire on Christian commercialism and a way of making fun of rednecks.
the movie version song is completely different. I'll be honest, i have not seen this movie, but it seems like this song is 1. completely genuine and devoid of sarcasm, and 2. very, very sad. the song morphs into bitter melonchy. it is the farthest thing from funny.
Tia Blake's version returns the song to its roots. kind of. Her version is certainly happy, but it's also painfully genuine. It is also the only song in her 1971 album that i would describe as happy, the rest being mournful, spooky, or full of longing. plastic Jesus is an odd choice. AND, her cover is my favorite. I think there is something beautiful and whimsical about the story presented in the song, about having so much joy come from a mundane object. Its a cheerful and hopeful song in an otherwise tragic album.
the first time i heard the song by tia blake was in a folk punk playlist. i didn't understand why it was on there at first, but i do now. there is a sort of revolutionary optimism in finding hope from the mundane in the midst of hopeless circumstances.
for @ruzqtx
Imagine:
Paul Newman checking you out.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
Paul Newman eyeing you.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
Having a fling with both, Paul Newman and James Dean.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman, James Dean X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
Paul Newman getting irritated that you get keep on getting called into work.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
Paul Newman watching you from afar as you dance in the dance hall.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
Chatting with Paul Newman outside a party after he got into a fight defending you.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
Paul Newman being impressed that you actually beat him in pool.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
Hanging out with Paul Newman and Paul can’t keep his eyes off of you the whole night.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
Paul Newman hearing you sing for the first time being completely compelled by you.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
You are one of the best bull riders around and while you do some late night farm chores, Paul try’s to impress you by trying to ride one of your bulls. He does not succeed as he falls off within a few seconds.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Imagine:
While you were in the living room talking on the phone with another man, Paul was trying to get your attention, eventually giving up once you waved him off.
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(NOT MY GIF!)
(Paul Newman X Reader)
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(TAGS)
Paul was a good looking, class act Hollywood star at a time when Hollywood actually stood for something.
Paul Newman, 1955.
You correct me if I’m wrong, but I have the feeling I rile you. I mean, me being so mean and dirty and all. Paul Newman as Ben Quick in The Long, Hot Summer (1958) dir. Martin Ritt
Paul Newman cooking eggs for Anthony Perkins, 1958, photographed by Leonard McCombe
Paul Newman in The Long, Hot Summer (Martin Ritt, 1958)
“Oh, I rather like the view from the terrace. Then I saw you, and I liked the view even more.”
– Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman in From the Terrace (1960)