The French Connection ~ Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle ~ Gene Hackman

[353dante]

I'd love this figure to become a reality. Let's see how much interest it can generate... I have a few sculptors, painters, and tailors in mind. Fingers crossed this gets enough people excited so that it can happen!

 

[Mr.E]

Sure, I'm always in support of early 70's classics. There is only one other sculpt out there that I'm aware of.

 

[353dante]

Sure, I'm always in support of early 70's classics. There is only one other sculpt out there that I'm aware of.

I've seen it too I think it could be done much better. JNIX, Cheung Kinmen... I'm sure hoping! I'd love to have Yunsil do the clothing, of course.

 

[greatlakes6]

I'm in. I have mentioned this character many times over the years when a wishlist was posted.

 

[353dante]

I'm in. I have mentioned this character many times over the years when a wishlist was posted.

Oh, it would be such a beauty! I love the film. Gene Hackman killed it with his portrayal of the dedicated inner city/urban cop. Those old, dirty, violent, gritty NY cop/crime movies are classics. They don't make em' like they used to!

 

[greatlakes6]

They certainly don't. Many of these movies are Oscar winners or at least nominated.

 

[Drax]

I totally agree. Gene Hackman is one of my favourite actors and, along with Al Pacino, is a serious contender for greatest American Actor. I would love a figure of Popeye Doyle. I'm surprised no one has taken the initiative, considering there's already a custom Dirty Harry/ Clint Eastwood figure.

 

[greatlakes6]

Would love to see this thread come back to life.

 

[353dante]

So would I!

 

[Gruff Old Bear]

Yep. Me three.

Did you pick your toes in Poughkeepsie?

 

[greatlakes6]

Well, this is where it seems to die out, the four of us are the only one's who like one of the best films with one of the most iconic characters ever!

 

[Drax]

There's no accounting for today's tastes. This lack of interest is a sad indictment of what's fashionable in the collectors' market and also what fickle film fans choose to call as a classic. Most kids today find it difficult to watch a film from the 1980s - never mind a classic from 1971. I still hold onto some hope. It's amazing which small niche figures are being made. I recently saw a Leonardo Di Caprio / Wolf of Walll Street figure. Come on! Why no love for the Hackman.

 

[Drax]

A head sculpt of an older Gene Hackman ( moustachioed and smiling, no less), presumably from 'Get Shorty' is freely available on Ebay. And I have seen a very rough version of a Popeye Doyle head sculpt but I was less than impressed. I know it's a very eclectic choice for a figure but, considering what surprising choices are being released today, I still hope some enterprising model maker will release a custom figure that is affordable but does the character justice...

 

[greatlakes6]

When you combine the movie, French Connection, the character, Popeye Doyle, the actor, Gene Hackman! Holy cow, talk about a trifecta!

 

[Drax]

Absolutely! I totally agree. The film is like a time capsule - it captures a scary portrait of New York as it once was. Doyle is arguably a nasty ( xenophobic?), politically incorrect ( by today's standards ) and yet very driven and compelling character. And as for Hackman, a star was emerging in the Seventies. He's a great naturalistic actor - the '70s answer to Spencer Tracy. The tension and friction between Friedkin and himself was well documented but Hackman seems to have taken this approach to moviemaking by heart. In all his later films, he liked to create an on-going friction and tense dynamic between himself and his director - if he disagreed with that person or they did not initially inspire confidence. Or maybe he was just disillusioned with the movie making industry.
A Popeye Doyle figure would look great alongside my Clint Eastwood / Dirty Harry figure. Someone should release a series of '60s and '70s icons. We won't see their like anymore.

 

[Drax]

Apart from 'The French Connection', Hackman's other compelling performances were "Mississippi Burning", 'Crimson tide' and 'Unforgiven'. I would buy a figure from any one of these movies. Somebody please take note.

 

[greatlakes6]

Apart from 'The French Connection', Hackman's other compelling performances were "Mississippi Burning", 'Crimson tide' and 'Unforgiven'. I would buy a figure from any one of these movies. Somebody please take note.

Completely agree with both of the above statements. In my opinion, many of today's actors are prominent because of their look, not because of their skill. Hackman is in the same class as Eastwood, Connery, DeNiro, Nicholson, etc. They are outstanding in whatever they are in based on their acting abilities, their ability to differentiate themselves from any other character we have seen before. There definitely should be a grouping of these iconic actors in their best roles.

 

[Drax]

Is it too much to ask for a Buddy Russo / Roy Scheider figure as well? He could double up as Chief Brody, a Jaws companion piece to Robert Shaw's Quint... Ah, wishful thinking!

 

[353dante]

I sure wish this had more interest. Boy, we four sure want him made, lol!

 

[Gruff Old Bear]

Its time will come. You can write that down and slap it on the fridge.