A few days ago, the death of Sondra Locke was reported by sites across the Internet. Each one that I read focused on her relationship with Clint Eastwood. However, she was more than a side note in his career.
Sondra Locke was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, a town about 60 miles from where I live. From there, she made her way to Nashville and finally to Hollywood, where she was nominated for an Academy Award in her first movie role. That type of beginning is a double-edged sword of great accomplishment and great expectation. However, her career would not be defined by either. It was defined by a relationship with one of the biggest stars in the history of Hollywood.
This post is not an examination of that relationship. It is a tribute to Sondra Locke by studying words of wisdom that can be found in her films.
From The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
Well, the country may be free, but the beer ain’t!
Everything’s going much faster now.
Strange how life works itself out.
From The Outlaw Josey Wales
Dyin’ ain’t much of a livin’.
Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean.
It’s sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues.
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms.
Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.
Without a doubt, those are wise words.
From Every Which Way But Loose
You never know what you’re gonna find out.
From Bronco Billy
Every kid in America ought to go to school… at least up to the eighth grade.
You can be anything you want. All you have to do is go out and become it.
Don’t ever tell a lie.
From Any Which Way You Can
A hand out is what you get from the government, a hand up is what you get from a friend.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 