Cool Hand Luke
Summary
Stuart Rosenberg’sCool Hand Lukeis a theatrical role - driven prison house drama that boasts an impressive roster of player . Released in 1967,Cool Hand Lukecenters on the titular grapheme , Luke , a World War II veteran who gets imprisoned at a Florida prison pack after he behead many parking time . However , despite facing the harsh conditions at the prison , Luke stands as a symbol of individuality and exemption , and his routine of defiance against the prison ’s authority gradually start affecting its inner works .
AlthoughCool Hand Luke ’s primary appeal comes from its intricate exploration of themes surrounding rebellion and non - accord , its cast members and their interactions as their respective characters make for a crucial role in unraveling the complex layers of the tale elements . owe to this , Cool Hand Lukeis moot a testament to the power of character - driven storytelling , where each worker ’s performance is integral to betray the emotional drama that motor its plot line . SinceCool Hand Luke ’s cast members and their respective character beats are subservient to its succeeder , it is hard not to inquire who plays whom in the pic .
Throughout his vocation , Paul Newman starred in a lot of legendary pic , including great Westerns , sound dramas , and even a Pixar animated feature .
Paul Newman As Lucas “Luke” Jackson
Paul Neuman ’s Luke is the titular character inCool Hand Lukewho stop up in prison house after knocking down parking metre . Despite being the main lineament of the motion-picture show , however , Luke meets a tragic portion after he attempts to escape prison for the third time . His dying and non - conformist mental attitude ultimately fray off on other prisoners , inhale them to follow his itinerary . Paul Neuman , who passed away in 2008 , imposingly portrayed the titular eccentric inCool Hand Luke . Although the star had over 80 acting credits under his best , he was well know for Eddie Felson inThe Hustler , John Rooney inRoad to Perdition , and Frank Galvin inThe Verdict .
George Kennedy As Clarence “Dragline” Slidell
Dragline was among the leading build at the prison before Luke came in . However , after Luke ’s arriver , he becomes more of his chum and best friend . Despite assay to run prison house with Luke in his final try , Dragline ultimately attempt to convince Luke to give up after they get trance in a church . InCool Hand Luke , Dragline is impersonate by late star George Kennedy , substantially known for his roles in movie likeAirport , Thunderbolt and Lightfoot , Mad Man Wagon Party , andThe Naked Gunseries . Many also recall him for his compelling vocalization - acting performances inLittle Soldiers , Cats Ca n’t Dance , andThe Real Adventures of Johnny Quest .
prison house evasion pic can be tense dramas or family friendly fare but the good ones are these classic moving-picture show .
Strother Martin As The Captain
Played by Strother Martin , the Captain is one of the antagonists inCool Hand Luke . As the prison ’s overseer , he does everything in his power to maintain order and even tries to psychologically and physically rack Luke to make him adapt to the prison house ’s rule . Apart from portraying the Captain inCool Hand Luke , Martin also played myriad fiber in films likeSlap Shot , True Grit , andThe Wild Bunch . Before Strother Martin dip his feet in the worldly concern of act , he was a swimming instructor in the United States Navy during World War II , which pave the agency for his playacting vocation as he ab initio served as an extra in body of water scenes from movies .
Strother Martin is still remembered for his billet " What we ’ve catch here is unsuccessful person to communicate , " inCool Hand Luke , which was also featured in theAmerican Film Institute ’s 100 year … 100 Movie Quotes tilt .
Jo Van Fleet As Arletta Jackson
InCool Hand Luke , Jo Van Fleet play Arletta , Luke ’s mother , who regret not pass on him enough clip when he was young . In a polar scene in the pic , she meets him before return home and dying from Crab , triggering a catharsis in Luke that rids him of all expectations . Jo Van Fleet ’s act life history mainly let in movies in which she played character much old than her . Her scintillating performance in the Broadway productionThe Trip to Bountifulhelped her gain a Tony Award in 1954 , but she is good known for her depicting of Kate in East of Eden , which stick her an Academy Award profits .
The movie Cool Hand Luke fancy its principal ingest 50 egg in one sitting , but did actor Paul Newman actually eat as many bollock as his character ?
Morgan Woodward As Walking Boss / Godfrey
Cool Hand Lukefeatures Morgan Woodward as Boss Godfrey , one of the meanest guards at the central Florida prison . He seldom talks throughout the pic , but his bearing alone is intimidating enough to come to fear in many prisoners . In the picture show , he is often refer to as the " man with no eyes " because he always has his shades on . With over 100 acting credits in his portfolio , Morgan Woodward was bonk for playing menacing roles in several movies and tv set shows . However , to this solar day , he remains well known for his delineation of Marvin " Punk " Anderson in the TV seriesDallas . Many may also recognize him for his appearance inStark Terk , The X - Files,21 Jump Street , andThe Fall Guy .
Cool Hand Luke Supporting Cast & Characters
J.D. Cannon As Society Red : Society Red , played by J.D. Cannon inCool Hand Luke , is one of the most educated captive at the picture show ’s central prison house . Other thanCool Hand Luke , Cannon also starred in other famed film and TV shows likeScorpio , Death Wish II , McCloud , andLaw & Order .
Joy Harmon As “ Lucille”:Joy Harmon ’s " Lucille " seem inCool Hand Luke ’s iconic cable car wash fit . Although her brief appearance inCool Hand Lukeremains one of his most remembered movie role , Harmon also played diverse character in B - moving picture likeVillage of the GiantsandOne Way Machine , and tv set register likeBurke ’s LawandThe Odd Couple .
Lou Antonio As Koko : Lou Antonio , who plays Koko inCool Hand Luke , has had a successful vocation as a director as well . As an doer , he is well know for starring in film and TV shows likeThe Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries , Spy Game , andStar Trek . On the other hand , as a director , he has gather recognition for helming film and depict likeMr . & Mrs. Smith , Chicago Hope , CSI : Crime Scene Investigation , andBoston Legal .
Robert Drivas As Loudmouth Steve : Loudmouth Steve , who arrive at the prison house with Luke , is played by Robert Drivas . Other thanCool Hand Luke , Robert Drivas come out in several other movies , such asRoad MovieandThe Illustrated Man . He was also a part ofHawaii Five - OandN.Y.P.D. ’s roll .
Clifton James As Carr : Clifton James plays one of the security sentry go , Carr , inCool Hand Luke . The late lead often appear in similar roles in several other films . For representative , he wreak a sheriff in bothLive and permit DieandSuperman II .
Luke Askew As Boss Paul : ThroughoutCool Hand Luke , Boss Paul tries his proficient to break Luke , but Luke often catches him off - safeguard with his mental fortitude . Apart from his depicting of Boss Paul inCool Hand Luke , Luke Askew is also known for playing Sheriff Smalls inFrality , Pvt . Hubert inThe Devil ’s Brigade , and Alec Campbell inThe Greatest Game Ever Played .
Marc Cavell As Rabbitt : Rabbitt mindlessly follows Boss Godfrey ’s orders inCool Hand Luke . He is portrayed by Marc Cavell ofThe Wild AngelsandThe Man From Alamofame .
Dennis Hopper As Babalugats : Other than playing Babalugats inCool Hand Luke , Dennis Hopper is also known for portray Deacon inWaterworld , Frank Booth inBlue Velvet , and Howard Payne inSpeed .
Warren Finnerty As Tattoo : InCool Hand Luke , Tattoo accompany Luke during his first escapism from prison house . He is limn by Warren Finnerty , who has acting acknowledgment inThe Connection , Easy Rider , Cockfighter , and several other film .
Robert Donner As Boss Shorty : Boss Shorty , play by Robert Donner , is the Pursuer inCool Hand Lukewho in the end feel the primary character after he escapes . Donner is also sleep with for playing roles in film likeVanishing Point , El Dorado , andHigh Plains Drifter .
Richard Davalos As Blind Dick : Often referred to as " The Shiek of Simmonsville , " Blind Dick is portrayed by Richard Davalos , of theEast of EdenandThe Americansfame , inCool Hand Luke .
