ABSTRACT
A third of a century after Cool Hand Luke was released it still resonates in American popular culture. A large part of the movie's enduring appeal is its all-star cast, starting with Newman, a natural for the role of Luke. There is also an Oscar-winning performance by George Kennedy as "Dragline", the alpha convict before Luke arrives, later his principal disciple. There is something timeless about this film. The story of a free spirit who defies oppressive institutions and is ultimately destroyed by them is at least as old as the Gospels. But Cool Hand Luke is also obviously a movie set somewhere in the humid depths of Dixie. In 1975 Hollywood gave us a film that was something of a remake of Cool Hand Luke, but the differences are instructive. In an era of changing sex roles the principal villain was a sadistic nurse.
