Steve McQueen. In the Webster's Dictionary, it says, "the essence of cool", next to Steve's name. 'Course, everyone knows that. If you ever wanna test someone who says they're a Steve McQueen fan, ask them what's Steve's best movie. You'll hear The Great Escape, Papillon, The Getaway, etcetera. Uh-uh. A true McQueen fan will tell you The Sand Pebbles, directed by Robert Wise, who did West Side Story and The Sound of Music, is McQueen's greatest movie. Kick-ass...I mean a KICK-ASS score by the late, great Jerry Goldsmith. The movie - well, just go to Imdb you can read all about it (see picture above). There are multiple storylines that gel well together, and a supporting cast that includes Richard Crenna, Mako and Candice Bergen. It's an epic. Go rent it - rent it right now. Steve got his only Oscar nomination doing this flick. I love the movie so much that I adapted the screenplay to the stage a couple years ago - mostly 'cause I wanted my actor-friends to read it and be as turned on as I was. And the critics back in 1966 even made mention that many of the scenes in the movie play like a stage play (I read this after I adapted it). Steve, in my book, has always been the King of underplaying a role - you know, less-is-more, master-of-the-non-verbal (Paul Newman ain't bad either). This flick is no different.
The Sand Pebbles. This is McQueen at his best.
I concur. McQueen is underrated - if that's ever possible. 'Course, he's father so I am partial. Nice post, Jeff. I miss him as well and think The Sand Pebbles is his best work.
ReplyDeleteNo, no, Jeff, it was Bullitt where McQ was at his greatest (for me). I've spent 45 years trying to be that cooooooooooooooool and still don't come close.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're making it back to Iowa, albeit briefly. Hope all is well. -Pete