On This Day

Cool Hand Luke released

November 1st 1967

09:50 1 November 2024

'Cool Hand Luke' was released in theaters in the United States on this day in 1967. Based on Donn Pearce's 1965 novel of the same name, Paul Newman starred as Lucas "Luke" Jackson, a prisoner in a Florida prison camp in the early 1950s, who in spite of the brutal regime and harsh conditions refuses to conform. The movie opened to excellent reviews and was a box-office success, further establishing Paul Newman as one of the most bankable Hollywood stars of the 60s and 70s.

'Cool Hand Luke' received four Academy Award nominations including Newman for Best Actor but it was George Kennedy who picked up the pictures only Oscar, winning Best Supporting Actor for his role as prisoners leader, Dragline.