James Leo Herlihy's 1965 novel was made into a great motion picture by director John Schlesinger. It's a graphic character study of two very different men who become close friends in the decaying 42nd Street area of New York City in the late 1960's.
(first lines)
Joe Buck: "Whoopee-tee-yi-yo. Get along little dogies. It's your misfortune and none of my own."
Jon Voight, in his film debut, plays Joe Buck, a handsome but naive hick who moves to NYC to work as a freelance gigolo and hustler. He ends up being out-hustled by everyone else in the Big Apple. Wearing a cowboy costume, he says, "I ain't a for real cowboy, but I am a hell of a stud." He tries to hustle rich middle-aged Cass (Sylvia Miles), who angrily tells him, "You were gonna ask me for money? Who the hell do you think you're dealing with, some old slut on 42nd Street? In case you didn't happen to notice it, ya big Texas longhorn bull, I'm one helluva gorgeous chick!" Cass cries and Joe Buck gives her most of his money.
Dustin Hoffman plays Enrico Salvatore "Ratso" Rizzo, a sleazy derelict of a con man who is tubercular and has a limp. Originally he was a shoe shiner, as was his father. Hoffman put pebbles in his shoe to make his limp consistent. Ratso cons Joe Buck out of $20, but later becomes his friend and inept "manager". He tells Joe Buck, "Frankly, you're beginning to smell, and for a stud in New York that's a handicap."
Joe Buck: "I like the way I look. Makes me feel good, it does. And women like me, goddammit. Hell, the only one thing I ever been good for is lovin'. Women go crazy for me, that's a really true fact. Ratso, hell! Crazy Annie they had to send her away."
Ratso Rizzo: "Then, how come you ain't scored once the whole time you been in New York?"
One of the many highlights of the film is a party scene that captures the groovy 1960's perfectly. Some of Andy Warhol's "superstars" make cameo appearances. Ratso says, "You want the word on that brother-and-sister act? Hansel's a fag and Gretel's got the hots for herself. So who cares, right? Load up on the salami." Joe Buck leaves the party with a woman customer, but suffers from temporary impotence. Ratso fills his pockets with food and is noticed by Gretel McAlbertson (Viva).
Gretel: "Are you stealing food?"
Ratso: "I was just noticing that you're out of salami."
Gretel: "Gee, well, you know, it's free. You don't have to steal it."
Ratso: "Well, if it's free, then I ain't stealin'."
Joe Buck and Ratso struggle for survival in the harsh and squalid nightmare of an urban jungle. They dream of making it big and retiring to Florida as Ratso's health continues to deteriorate. Ratso says, "Here I am goin' to Florida, my leg hurts, my butt hurts, my chest hurts, my face hurts, and like that ain't enough, I gotta pee all over myself." The film is clever, perceptive and captures two brilliant performances. Events are largely chronological, with flashbacks to Joe Buck's grandmother Sally (Ruth White) and his promiscuous girlfriend Crazy Annie (Jenifer Salt). The ending is tragic.
Also in the cast are: John McGiver (Mr. O'Daniel), Brenda Vaccaro (Shirley), Gilman Rankin (Woodsy Niles), Gary Owens (Little Joe), George Eppersen (Ralph), Jonathan Kramer (Jackie), Waldo Salt (Joe Pyne), John McGiver ( Mr. O'Daniel), Bernard Huges (Towny), Gil Rankin (Woodsy Niles), T. Tom Marlow (Little Joe), George Eppersen (Ralph), Al Scott, Linda Davis, J. T. Masters, Arlene Reeder, Georgann Johnson, Johnathan Kramer, Anthony Holland, Bob Balaban, Jan Tice, Paul Benjamin, Peter Scalia, Vito Siracusa, Peter Zamiagias, Arthur Anderson, Tina Scal, Alma Felix, Richard Clarke, Ann Thomas, Gastone Rossilli, Ultra Violet, Paul Jabara, International Velvet, Cecelia Lipson, Taylor Mead, Paul Morrissey, Joan Murphy, and Al Stetson. Waldo Salt wrote the screenplay. Original music is by John Barry. John Schlesinger directed.
When the movie was released in 1969 it was X-rated. In 1971 the rating was changed to R, with no changes to the film. It is 113 minutes long, but the TV prints are drastically censored and somewhat incomprehensible. MIDNIGHT COWBOY is one of the best films of the 1960's, a landmark in cinema history with a simple, sentimental story. It's a true classic, very touching, poignant, realistic, compelling, but disturbing and ultimately depressing.
MIDNIGHT COWBOY won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay. It is the only X-rated movie ever to win for Best Picture.
The Joe Buck role was first offered to other actors. Elvis Presley was considered, but Colonel Parker turned down the part without consulting Elvis. Originally Nilsson wrote "I Guess the Lord Must Be In New York City" for the film, but "Everybody's Talkin' At Me" was used instead, written by Fred Neil with Nilsson singing it.
