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The Last Movie Stars Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2022 - 2022
Episode 1
Chapter One: Cosmic Orphans
62 mins
After Ethan Hawke introduces the project and the actors who will provide the primary voices, this first installment on the lives of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward covers the 1950s from the time of their meeting as understudies in a Broadway production of "Picnic" (Newman who would go on to assume the lead) in 1953 to early movie stardom by the end of the decade for both. The underlying sexual nature of their rehearsals in the wings of the theater would transfer into their real life in what would be the beginning of a five year affair - Newman already married with children - until their own marriage at the end of the decade. Both members of the Actors Studio, the hub of method acting which was taking the Hollywood acting community by storm, Woodward, considered the more natural actor of the two, would emerge with the earlier movie acclaim and stardom, winning an Oscar for the early film role in The Three Faces of Eve (1957). Newman, however would languish in the shadow of fellow Actors Studio members James Dean, but most specifically Marlon Brando, he relegated to roles that the others could not do due to other commitments or had turned down. The most notable role that Newman was considered for but that ultimately went to Dean is the lead in East of Eden (1955). It wouldn't be until after Dean's premature death that Newman would emerge from the shadow for his first truly acclaimed lead role in Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956) and true movie stardom by the end of the decade.
Episode 2
Chapter Two: A Star Is Born
Thu, Jul 21, 202258 mins
It's the late 1950s, and fresh off her Oscar win, Joanne Woodward is the undeniable star of the couple, in addition to she considered in many circles as being one of if not the finest actress of her generation. While he is not without his movie successes by this time, Woodward uses whatever clout she has to get Paul Newman movie roles alongside her so that they can translate what personal chemistry they have as a couple to the screen. In the process, Woodward creates what would become the Paul Newman persona of the bad boy with the cool underlying sexuality, a far cry from who he really was as a human being. With roles tailor made for that persona in the early 1960s such as in The Hustler (1961) but more specifically Hud (1963), in which he portrays one of the earliest roles of an anti-hero - a character with no redeeming qualities but for who the audience still roots - Newman would catapult into true movie stardom. Meanwhile, Woodward's career would somewhat stall due in part to one movie executive new to her career, Darryl F. Zanuck, ruining by his decisions a movie with what she considered one of her finest roles in The Stripper (1963), and she "relegated" to a new role in life, that of mother. Two aspects of the couple's personal life are also discussed. One is the perspective of Woodward from her high school sweetheart, Donald "Duck" Dobbins, which provides some insight to how she ended up in the movie business. And two is the not always smooth convergence of Newman's two sets of children.
Episode 3
Chapter Three: The Legend of Paul Leonard Newman
Thu, Jul 21, 202249 mins
By 1967, Newman, between he and Woodward, has emerged as the superstar sex symbol only rivaled by Steve McQueen, Newman reaching legendary status with his then career defining role in Cool Hand Luke (1967) despite it being in many respects an ensemble piece. Newman arguably used the strained feelings he had for his controlling mother, that control which only worsened after his father's death, in his acting for difficult scenes. He would redefine his career two years later to something more closely resembling himself as a person, and make a lifelong friend in Robert Redford, in filming Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). Newman and Woodward's professional lives are by this time the opposite of the late 1950s in that Woodward, who has slipped somewhat into movie obscurity in focusing on a home life, is reliant on Newman for movie work. It would be one of their collaborations, his first as director and her return to the screen, that would result in what is arguably the most acclaimed piece of work for their collective movie lives in the 1960s, namely her title role in Rachel, Rachel (1968). Despite the movie not getting made without Newman's involvement, Woodward, more holistically, is regardless still a more independent person than him.
Episode 4
Chapter Four: Paying the Price
Thu, Jul 21, 202255 mins
As Newman and Woodward mature into the early 1970s, they are more willing to let their movies mirror their lives, and/or in turn be overtaken personally by the goings-on in the movies. These include Winning (1969) (Newman's newfound passion for automobile racing, and to a lesser extent showing a relationship akin to his relationship with troubled only son, Scott Newman), WUSA (1970) (their interest in politics), many movies showing Newman, a real life functioning alcoholic, as a heavy drinker, and The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972) where Woodward plays what she considers a horrible mother against real life daughter, and she bringing her character home at the end of the day. And being in the spotlight as a couple for almost two decades begins to show its wear on their relationship in not only the good but the bad for the whole world to see.
Episode 5
Chapter Five: Against the Sky
Thu, Jul 21, 202248 mins
As Paul's alcoholism continues to wreak havoc on their marriage, Joanne gives her husband an ultimatum - get sober or get out. Later, a personal tragedy causes Paul to dive headfirst into a dangerous hobby...racecar driving.
Episode 6
Chapter Six: Luck is an Art
Thu, Jul 21, 202276 mins
In the wake of their son's death, Paul and Joanne channel their grief into charitable work through Newman's Own. While Paul and Joanne undergo a career renaissance, it is their love story that is their most enduring legacy.