Connect with us


Movies

Midnight Cowboy (1969, Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman)

Published

on


It’s rare indeed for one film to see two leads nominated for the same Oscar, but both Voight, a relative newcomer to the screen, and Hoffman, in only his second major role after The Graduate, were both up for Best Actor in Midnight Cowboy. Neither won, but Schlesinger and scriptwriter Salt both picked up Oscars, as did the film for Best Picture.

Voight plays Joe Buck, a Texan rube tired of washing dishes in a small-town diner who reckons he can make it as a stud in New York, servicing bored women for big bucks. But on arrival, he finds his cowboy act doesn’t work and he’s soon the one being hustled by Enrico Salvatore Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman), better known as Ratso, a crippled streetwise down-and-out. The pair form an unlikely relationship, with Ratso grooming Buck as a gay hustler, but both dream of Florida, where Ratso’s ill-health will be cured and Buck will be able to score with the ladies. After ending up in the gutter, Buck explodes, beating and robbing a male client for the pair’s bus fare. But as they pass the state line, only one of them is alive to see the palm trees…

Schlesinger uses the pair as opposites, using Buck’s naïve country character as the counter to Ratso’s big city hustler and so offering two views of the Big Apple’s dark side. But at the same time, he allows their characters to develop, with Buck’s self-dignity slowly being stripped away layer-by-layer while Ratso, as he becomes sicker, relies more and more on his increasingly disillusioned ‘partner’. Despite Midnight Cowboy being rooted in the ’60s, it still resonates today thanks to two towering performances.

Advertisement

production details
USA | 113 minutes | 1968

Director: John Schlesinger
Writer: Waldo Salt, from James Leo Herlihy’s novel

cast
Dustin Hoffman as Enrico Salvatore “Ratso” Rizzo
Jon Voight as Joe Buck
Sylvia Miles as Cass
Brenda Vaccaro as Shirley
Mary Boylan as Old Lady in Subway
Ruth White as Sally Buck
Bill Walters as St. Bernard Owner
John McGiver as Mr. O’Daniel
Randall Carver as Rapist in Flashback
Pat Ast as Party Guest
Barnard Hughes as Towny
Jennifer Salt as Annie
Georgann Johnson as Rich Lady
Bob Balaban as The Young Student
M. Emmet Walsh as Bus Passenger
Anthony Holland as TV Bishop
Marlene Clark as Girl at Party
Viva as Gretel McAlbertson
Paul Benjamin as Bartender
Gilman Rankin as Woodsy Niles
T. Tom Marlow as Little Joe
George Eppersen as Ralph
Jan Tice as Freaked-Out Lady
Al Scott as Cafeteria Manager
Linda Davis as Mother on the Bus
Arlene Reeder as The Old Lady
Jonathan Kramer as Jackie
Arthur Anderson as Hotel Clerk
Tina Scala as Laundromat Lady
Alma Felix as Laundromat Lady
Richard Clarke as Escort Service Man
Ann Thomas as The Frantic Lady
Paul Rossilli as Hansel McAlbertson
Ultra Violet as The Party
Taylor Mead as The Party
Paul Morrissey as The Party
Paul Jabara as The Party
International Velvet as The Party
Cecelia Lipson as The Party
Joan Murphy as The Waitress
Al Stetson as Bus Driver
Robert Dahdah as Bus Passenger
Trent Gough as Man at Lunch Counter
Barbara Maggio as Gina
Jay Morran as Pimp
Renee Semes as Hippie in Coffee Shop
Jeffrey Walker as Hippie #3
Waldo Salt as Joe Pyne on TV Show
Paul Jasmin as The Party (uncredited)

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

The Young and the Restless The Young and the Restless
News56 mins ago

The Young and the Restless, March 19, 2024, CBS

In the latest episode of CBS’s The Young and the Restless, airing on Tuesday March 19, 2024 at 12.30pm, viewers...

Today with Hoda & Jenna Today with Hoda & Jenna
News57 mins ago

Hilary Swank, Today with Hoda & Jenna, March 19, 2024, NBC

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, don’t miss the latest episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna on NBC. From 10-11...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News1 hour ago

Pilar Valdes, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 19, 2024, CBS

On Tuesday, March 19th, The Drew Barrymore Show returns on CBS with another exciting episode. Drew Barrymore is joined by...

GMA3: What You Need to Know GMA3: What You Need to Know
News1 hour ago

Jermaine Dupri, Adam Richman, GMA3: What You Need to Know, March 19, 2024, ABC

On Tuesday, March 19th, ABC presents another informative episode of GMA3: What You Need to Know. Tune in as Jermaine...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News1 hour ago

Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Jarvis, Good Morning America, March 19, 2024, ABC,

Start your day right with the latest episode of Good Morning America on ABC airing on Tuesday March 19 at...

Who Won Jeopardy! Who Won Jeopardy!
News1 hour ago

Jeopardy! Recap, Winner & Final Answer, Monday March 18, 2024

In the latest episode of Jeopardy!, game five of the first-to-three 2024 Tournament of Champions (ToC) final, three contestants battled...

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News16 hours ago

General Hospital, March 18, 2024, ABC

On Monday, March 18, at 2:00 pm on ABC, the brand new episode of “General Hospital” promises to deliver some...

Tamron Hall Tamron Hall
News16 hours ago

Dedric and Krystal Polite, Tamron Hall, March 18, 2024, ABC

On Monday, March 18, 2024, at 10:00 am on ABC, the latest episode of “Tamron Hall” titled “Tamron’s Spring Refresh...

Great British Menu Great British Menu
News7 hours ago

The Finals: Starters, Great British Menu, 18 March 2024, BBC Two

Get ready for the brand new episode of Great British Menu, as national finals week kicks off with the starters...

Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain
News7 hours ago

Series Premiere, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the premiere episode of the brand new series “Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain,” Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton...

Panorama Panorama
News7 hours ago

Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis, Panorama, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the latest episode of Panorama, titled “Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis,” viewers will be taken behind the...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News8 hours ago

Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In a thought-provoking and enlightening new documentary titled “Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure,” airing on Channel 4 on Monday 18...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News8 hours ago

24 Hours in A&E, 18 March 2024, Channel 4, “Season 32 Episode 3”

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “24 HOURS IN A&E,” viewers are taken inside Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham,...

George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations
News8 hours ago

Chiltern Hills Barber Shop, George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations,” architect George Clarke continues to showcase the inspiring stories of...

Traffic Cops Traffic Cops
News8 hours ago

Traffic Cops, 18 March 2024, Channel 5, “Season 13, Episode 14”

In the latest episode of Channel 5’s “Traffic Cops,” viewers will once again be taken on a gripping journey alongside...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News8 hours ago

Coma Series Premiere, 18 March 2024, Channel 5

In the series premiere of the four part Channel 5 drama “Coma,” viewers are introduced to Simon, a devoted family...

Popular