The Gun Line MkIII

Another one passes…

Patrick Swazye succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.  He was surrounded by family when the time came…

Patrick Swazye made his debute at about the same time I did, only he was on the silver screen, and I was stepping onto the stage of Life.

The first film I remember him in was “Red Dawn”, and I remember (being a young man with my fire on fire) wondering how I would do were I to be dropped into the same situation of having to defend my homeland as a member of some homespun resistance group…  I think everyone in my age group wondered thew same thing…

Later, however, I saw “Dirty Dancing”, and saw that a man could carry himself with grace, style, even beauty, while still being ultimately masculine.  That epiphany carries through to this day.

It was in “Ghost”, however, that he melded his alpha-male image with a romantic performance with Demi Moore, and immersed the audience in romance of the sweetest order, re-energizing the wondrous genre of romance, which catalyzed millions of lovers to re-ignite the spark of passion in classic style.  Again, the message was clear:  Falling in love, reveling the romance was a perfectly acceptable thing to do, even for the most manly of men.

“Roadhouse” on the other hand, had the most profound impact on me. however.  Swayze, playing Dillon, a traveling “cooler”, performed the role flawlessly, combining the down and dirty aspects of the quintessential tough guy, with the contemplative persona of a philosopher.  “Be nice, until it’s time NOT to be nice…” stands out, and it was a phrase I took to heart.  Again, it was acceptable to contemplate an alternate path to violence even while in a job that promised violence a-plenty.  This, and the relationship that Swayze’s character had with Sam Elliot’s (admit it, doesn’t everyone want to have a friend like Sam Elliot – rumbling up on his Harley, laid back and full of life’s lessons, but more than able to take care of himself?) showed that you could be a tough guy, but still have those fraternal bonds.  This introduced the idea, and shaped the idea of “the Brotherhood” that was polished by my time in the Corps.

Of all of the actors I have seen over the years, Patrick Swayze seemed to be one of the few who retained his sense of self while still navigating the rocks and shoals of Hollywood.  He was in the same company as Robert Urich and Michael Landon in that respect; men who passed along the deeper lessons of life to their audience, and in doing so, validated thought over brute strength in the style of David Carradine’s Kwai Chang Caine.

So, in retrospect, I give you Patrick Swayze, who had a greater impact on society that some may realize, and I mourn the passing of a cinematic “gentle giant”.

God speed, Patrick, and may you take the angels for a spin on the dance floor of Heaven, and while you’re at it, see if you can teach the Marines who look on Heaven’s Scenes the difference between their left feet and their right!