Newman always the One
Unless actress Helen Hunt makes her appearance
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Good morning Paul Newman.
You're seeing Maine at its finest, cool fall days, trees just starting to color, very few bugs — if you are getting an opportunity to really see Maine. Perhaps you are not, given your celebrity status and the wild enthusiasm the locals have demonstrated for even a passing glance at your handsome facade.
You can't turn around — literally — without bumping into fanatical fans.
"I've been waiting since noontime," Mary Blakeslee, of Waterville, told reporter Amy Calder. "I grew up watching Paul Newman. I'm staying right here."
Janice Bradbury, of Waterville, reported she was thrilled with her sighting. "This has been great," she said. "He actually turned and waved to a group of us."
Hard to believe you still engender this kind of enthusiasm from the ladies at your age, isn't it?
I have seen this kind of reaction to you before, in New Hampshire. You won't remember, but you and I shared a day in the Berlin area in 1972. I learned a valuable lesson that day.
Celebrity is everything in this country.
My story started in mid-winter, when I was called by a friend to take an active role in the insurgent campaign of Congressman Pete McCloskey, a Republican from California who was challenging incumbent President Richard Nixon in the New Hampshire presidential primary.
I had transitioned from a Nixon supporter to a die-hard opponent between 1968 and 1972, and McCloskey had the integrity and vision that attracted many young Republicans like myself to his cause.
My assignment was the entire northern section of New Hampshire, which, in mid-winter, was not all that inviting, unless you enjoyed leafleting door to door in blizzards. Our accommodations, a summer camp in the hills above Gorham, suffered frozen pipes, which caused early morning forays into Gorham to use the toilet at McDonald's. Our food budget was nonexistent, resulting in evening drives to Berlin to feast at George McGovern's Democratic presidential campaign headquarters. He had money — and food.
One day, McCloskey's state headquarters called to say that — Gasp! — actor Paul Newman was coming to our area to campaign for a day with McCloskey. My old white Volkswagen van would be transporting Newman, with me at the wheel. Wow.
I was told to fill the back end of the VW with a specific German beer — your favorite — and I did. But I don't recall that you even sipped a single one of the brews — making you a hero in the eyes of those of us who consumed it all later. Actually, I don't think I even thanked you for that. Thanks!
The lesson I learned that day was simply this. You can be a guy running for the most important and powerful job in the world — president of the U S of A — but you can't begin to generate the excitement of a guy who acts in movies.
Celebrity is everything in America!
Yes, I admit, you were a handsome devil, with those deep blue eyes and that careless grin. Didn't matter that you were short. You had charisma.
But come on, I was working for a guy I thought could lead our country, and no one paid any attention to him as the two of you worked your way down the main street of Berlin.
In fact, McCloskey and I were nearly trampled by the hoards trying to get a glimpse of you.
Yep. There goes Paul Newman, and some guy running for president.
It led me to believe that you should have run for president. Come to think of it, another actor got elected to that position a bit later on. Ever wish you'd run?
Actually, I was glad to see some Mainers still remember you (although the two fans named above are ages 47 and 70 respectively).
I heard on the Voice of Maine radio talk show the other morning that young movie fans only know you as a guy who sells salad dressing. That's appalling for one of the finest actors of our era.
And yes, I do enjoy your salad dressing.
Then there is that turncoat, Barbara Champagne, of Vassalboro.
"Don't get me wrong," she told Calder. "I think Paul Newman is a great actor, but Ed Harris is the ONE."
No way Barbara. Paul Newman was, is, and always will be the ONE.
Well, with this exception. I hear that Helen Hunt is in this Empire Falls movie too. If she gets to Waterville, let me know. Because she really is the ONE.
Sorry Paul.