Youngblood Hawke (1964)

In the heartlands of Kentucky, Arthur Hawke, a coal truck driver, fiercely defends his widowed mother Sarah's property rights against his predatory paternal uncles, who are after the land's mineral wealth. Beneath this rugged exterior, however, beats the heart of a dreamer. Arthur channels his innermost thoughts into writing, adopting the pen name Youngblood Hawke. His debut novel, 'Alms of Oblivion,' attracts the attention of a New York publishing house, leading him to trade his humble life for the dizzying whirl of the Big Apple. In New York, Hawke's naive charm and raw talent make him an overnight sensation within the city's literary circles. Oblivious to the cutthroat world of publishing, he finds himself grappling with a barrage of agents, critics, managers, and lawyers - each with their own agenda. While his first novel enjoys moderate success and is even adapted into a Broadway play, he becomes entangled in the glamorous but treacherous world of fame and wealth. Simultaneously, the intoxicating scent of his latent passion lures various women towards him, including the wealthy, married socialite Frieda Winter. As Youngblood Hawke navigates this labyrinth of ambition and desire, he remains blissfully ignorant of the deepening affection blossoming for Jeanne Green, his story editor who first recognized his literary potential. Jeanne, seeing the transformative effect Hawke has on women, moves to a new publishing company, leaving him to his own devices. Hawke's second novel is hailed as a masterpiece, turning him into the toast of the town. Yet, the dizzying heights of success are short-lived. His third novel is widely panned, leading him into financial ruin. Battered and disillusioned, Hawke returns to his Kentucky roots to find solace and inspiration for his next novel. Battling pneumonia and hard times, he slowly comes to the realization that Jeanne, his first editor, was the ideal woman he had been searching for all along. 'Youngblood Hawke' is an enthralling tale of a man's journey from obscurity to fame, and the steep price he pays for his dreams. It's a riveting exploration of ambition, passion, and the elusive nature of happiness in the glittering world of literature.

Youngblood Hawke is a drama movie featuring James Franciscus.

It is possible to buy Youngblood Hawke on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.