Friday, January 2, 2026

The Friday 56: 'Clint: The Man and the Movies'

Hello, my fellow Friday 56ers! 

This week, I've chosen Clint: The Man and the Movies by Shawn Levy (the author, not the film director). I'm a big fan of Clint Eastwood, and I received this book as a Christmas gift. It was published in July 2025, and must have flown under my radar; otherwise, I would have tried to get my hands on an ARC. Nonetheless, I now have a copy, and it will likely be my next read.

Now, here’s a glimpse at page 56:

Book cover image of "Clint: The Man and the Movies" by Shawn Levy.

Offscreen, the two actors became friends (they shared a financial advisor in Irving Leonard), and Garner recalled Clint asking for advice on a TV career: "He said, "Hey Jim. . . . They've offered this Rawhide series. We're getting into negotiation, and I want to know what to ask for.' And I said, 'I don't know what to ask for, Clint, 'cause I'm getting screwed. I can't tell you what to ask 'em for.' And evidently he made a pretty good deal."

— Levy, Shawn. Clint: The Man and the Movies, Mariner Books, 2025, p. 56.


〜B.J. Burgess

7 comments:

  1. I wouldn't know what to ask for either. :)

    Glad you are enjoying it.

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    1. Imagine yourself in Clint Eastwood's shoes in the late 1950s. At that time, he was under contract with a studio and often took on small bit parts for minimal pay. Receiving an offer to play a significant role in a Western television series was a big opportunity for him, especially considering the decent paycheck of $700 per episode. While it may not seem like a substantial amount today, it was significant for that era. Over the course of eight seasons, a total of 217 episodes were filmed.

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  2. I used to really enjoy his movies, then his politics got too out-there I couldn't make myself enjoy his movies any longer. Pathetic, I know.

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    1. Oh, Eastwood's political views aren't as radical as the media and social media often portray them to be. It's important to remember that he was born in 1931 and raised with traditional values, which means his opinions may differ—perhaps even seem outdated—compared to those of younger generations. It's essential to separate the art from the artist, unless the individual has committed truly reprehensible acts... Cough... Kevin Spacey.

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  3. Replies
    1. This book is perfect for me! Rowdy Yates is featured right on the cover. I'm a huge Clint Eastwood fan. My all-time favorite movie is Two Mules for Sister Sara, and my favorite western television series is Rawhide.

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  4. This sounds really good. I always enjoy bios or memoirs by celebrities. I hope you enjoy this one.

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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess

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