Midnight Cowboy (novel)
Encyclopedia
For the 1969 film adaptation of this novel, see Midnight Cowboy
.
Midnight Cowboy is a 1965 novel by James Leo Herlihy
(1927–1993) that chronicles the naïve Texan Joe Buck's odyssey from Texas
to New York City
, where he plans on realizing his dream of becoming a male prostitute servicing rich ladies. Joe proves a failure as a hustler
and winds up on the streets serving a mainly gay
clientele, but he does make a human connection with Rico "Ratso" Rizzo, his roommate and would-be pimp
.
The novel was made into the successful 1969 movie Midnight Cowboy starring Dustin Hoffman
as Ratso and Jon Voight
as Joe. The film by director John Schlesinger
not only was a hit at the box office, but it won three Academy Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture
, Academy Award for Best Director and Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay). Both Hoffman and Voight received nominations as Academy Award for Best Actor
, but lost out to John Wayne
in a more traditional cowboy movie, True Grit.
Schlesinger explained the great success of the film as its exploration of loneliness
. The movie, which was adapted by screenwriter Waldo Salt
, was very faithful to the book.
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film based on the 1965 novel of the same name by James Leo Herlihy. It was written by Waldo Salt, directed by John Schlesinger, and stars Dustin Hoffman and newcomer Jon Voight in the title role. Notable smaller roles are filled by Sylvia Miles, John...
.
Midnight Cowboy is a 1965 novel by James Leo Herlihy
James Leo Herlihy
James Leo Herlihy was an American novelist, playwright and actor.Born into a working class family in Detroit, Michigan, Herlihy is known for his novels Midnight Cowboy and All Fall Down and his play Blue Denim, all of which were adapted for cinema...
(1927–1993) that chronicles the naïve Texan Joe Buck's odyssey from Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he plans on realizing his dream of becoming a male prostitute servicing rich ladies. Joe proves a failure as a hustler
Male prostitution
Male prostitution is the practice of engaging in sexual acts for money. Compared to female sex workers, male sex workers have been far less studied by researchers, and while studies suggest that there are differences between the ways these two groups look at their work, more research is needed.Male...
and winds up on the streets serving a mainly gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
clientele, but he does make a human connection with Rico "Ratso" Rizzo, his roommate and would-be pimp
Pimp
A pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
.
The novel was made into the successful 1969 movie Midnight Cowboy starring Dustin Hoffman
Dustin Hoffman
Dustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor with a career in film, television, and theatre since 1960. He has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters....
as Ratso and Jon Voight
Jon Voight
Jonathan Vincent "Jon" Voight is an American actor. He has received an Academy Award, out of four nominations, and three Golden Globe Awards, out of nine nominations. Voight is the father of actress Angelina Jolie....
as Joe. The film by director John Schlesinger
John Schlesinger
John Richard Schlesinger, CBE was an English film and stage director and actor.-Early life:Schlesinger was born in London into a middle-class Jewish family, the son of Winifred Henrietta and Bernard Edward Schlesinger, a physician...
not only was a hit at the box office, but it won three Academy Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture
Academy Award for Best Picture
The Academy Award for Best Picture is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to artists working in the motion picture industry. The Best Picture category is the only category in which every member of the Academy is eligible not only...
, Academy Award for Best Director and Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay). Both Hoffman and Voight received nominations as Academy Award for Best Actor
Academy Award for Best Actor
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry...
, but lost out to John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
in a more traditional cowboy movie, True Grit.
Schlesinger explained the great success of the film as its exploration of loneliness
Loneliness
Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling in which a person feels a strong sense of emptiness and solitude resulting from inadequate levels of social relationships. However, it is a subjective experience...
. The movie, which was adapted by screenwriter Waldo Salt
Waldo Salt
Waldo Miller Salt was an American screenwriter who was blacklisted by the Hollywood movie studio bosses during the era of McCarthyism.-Early life and career:...
, was very faithful to the book.