The unique character actor, Strother Martin, is established as one of the most quoted people to ever grace the silver screen. His line from COOL HAND LUKE (1967), “What we’ve got here is… failure to communicate” ranks as number 11 on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 greatest movie quotes of all time! He’s an incredibly talented man, and every time I see him pop up on an old TV show or movie, I smile.
My personal favorite film of all time is HARD TIMES (1975) starring Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Jill Ireland, and yes, Strother Martin. He is so good as Poe, Charles Bronson’s cut man, who also happens to be a recovering drug addict. HARD TIMES is Walter Hill’s debut film, and Hill couldn’t have picked a better cast to introduce himself to the world. It’s my opinion that Martin’s unique talents are a perfect compliment to Bronson’s strong, silent persona, and James Coburn’s motormouth, business man. I think it’s one of his best performances.
My favorite scene with Bronson and Strother Martin in HARD TIMES is the scene where they first meet. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it on YouTube so I’m sharing this scene where Bronson collects their earnings from a guy who cheated them earlier in the day. Martin’s character isn’t featured in this scene, but he’s always right there with Bronson as a loyal friend. On what would have been Martin’s 106th birthday, I just wanted to take a moment to remember and appreciate him for his great work.
Through the Shattered Lens 
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Hard Times was a very underrated film that really puts a shine on depression era activities such as bare knuckle back alley hard luck fighters trying to make a buck backed up by unscrupulous handlers. Casting was never better in any movie with Bronson the hard luck but kind fighter, James Coburn his selfish wild gambling handler and Strother Martin as the philosophical, poet wannabe, cut man. The music, shooting in Old New Orleans waterfront, and byoue was spot on and so realistic. The movie is tense and only slows down in a couple of spots building up to a crescendo fight where Bronson must fight to save Coburn’s life, as the latter has become indebted to Big Easy hoods. A most remarkable movie to come out in the 70’s portraying the rough side of live in the depression era 40 years earlier.
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Spot on, Gary. I feel the movie is criminally underrated, and I sing its praises to the rafters to anyone who will listen. The casting and the “feel” of the film are just perfect.
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