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The Rat Race (1960) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

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6.6/10   325 votes
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Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Garson Kanin (play)
Garson Kanin (screenplay)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Rat Race on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 July 1960 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Tender romantic comedy about an aspiring musician who arrives in New York in search of fame & fortune... more | add synopsis
User Reviews:
Sax Appeal more (12 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Tony Curtis ... Pete Hammond Jr.

Debbie Reynolds ... Peggy Brown
Jack Oakie ... Mac, Owner of Macs Bar
Kay Medford ... Mrs. 'Soda' Gallo, Landlady

Don Rickles ... Nellie
Marjorie Bennett ... Mrs. Edie Kerry
Hal K. Dawson ... Bo Kerry
Norman Fell ... Telephone Repairman
Lisa Drake ... Toni
Joe Bushkin ... Frankie J, Bandleader
Sam Butera ... Carl 'Tip', Member of The Red Peppers
Gerry Mulligan ... Gerry
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stanley Adams ... Cab Driver (uncredited)

Elmer Bernstein ... Member of The Red Peppers (uncredited)
Wally Cassell ... Hotel clerk (uncredited)
Mahlon Clark ... Musician (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum ... Hotel Lobby Extra (uncredited)
Jacques Gallo ... French Sailor (uncredited)
Stanley Greene ... New York bus terminal baggage handler (uncredited)
Stuart Holmes ... Hotel Lobby Extra (uncredited)
Richard Keene ... Eddie (uncredited)
Bob Kenaston ... Trumpet Player, Member of Red Peppers (uncredited)
Donald Lamont ... Norm (uncredited)
David Landfield ... Tod (uncredited)
Johnny Lee ... Janitor (uncredited)
Louis Lettieri ... Boy (uncredited)
Jack McClure ... Mickey (uncredited)
Frank Mitchell ... Good Humor Man (uncredited)
Joe Ploski ... Street Vendor (uncredited)
Mark Russell ... Sailor (uncredited)
Joseph Sullivan ... Marcus Karp (uncredited)
Arthur Tovey ... Dance Hall Extra (uncredited)
Dick Winslow ... Tip, Member of The Red Peppers (uncredited)
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Directed by
Robert Mulligan 
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
John Michael Hayes  uncredited
Garson Kanin  play
Garson Kanin  screenplay

Produced by
William Perlberg .... producer
George Seaton .... producer
 
Original Music by
Elmer Bernstein 
 
Cinematography by
Robert Burks 
 
Film Editing by
Alma Macrorie 
 
Art Direction by
Tambi Larsen 
Hal Pereira 
 
Set Decoration by
Sam Comer 
Frank R. McKelvy 
 
Costume Design by
Edith Head 
 
Makeup Department
Nellie Manley .... hair styles supervisor
Wally Westmore .... makeup supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Richard Caffey .... assistant director
Angelo Laiacona .... first assistant director: New York (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Hugo Grenzbach .... sound recordist
Winston H. Leverett .... sound recordist
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Farciot Edouart .... process photographer
 
Music Department
Richard Rodgers .... composer: song "Manhattan"
George Shearing .... composer: song "Lullaby of Birdland"
 
Other crew
Richard Mueller .... technicolor color consultant
Theodore Taylor .... assistant to producers
 

Production CompaniesDistributors
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Additional Details

Runtime:
105 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Saxophone solos for Tony Curtis were actually played by musicians Gerry Mulligan and Dave Pell. more
Movie Connections:
References The Giant Gila Monster (1959) more
Soundtrack:
(Theme From) The Rat Race more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful.
Sax Appeal, 6 April 2008
5/10
Author: wesconnorsehny from Earth

Midwestern saxophonist Tony Curtis (as Pete Hammond Jr.) arrives in New York City, seeking fame and fortune. Instead, he finds himself lost in "The Rat Race". Mr. Curtis quickly meets disillusioned Debbie Reynolds (as Peggy Brown). Ms. Reynolds works as a paid dancing partner, for sailors and other lonely men. The two decide to pool their resources by sharing an apartment, agreeing to a platonic living arrangement. The roommates frequent the local watering hole, and hear older, wiser owner Jackie Oakie (as Mac) and landlady Kay Medford (as Soda) dispense words of wisdom. Curtis loses his musical instruments. Then, Reynolds loses her job.

Will Curtis and Reynolds gain romance?

Robert Mulligan's version of Garson Kanin's play, which starred Barry Nelson and Betty Field, never really takes off. Curtis and Reynolds (and the film, generally) look way too sharp to be Mr. Kanin's desolation row denizens, clawing their way to the top. Don Rickles is a highlight, as Reynolds' brutal, sadistic boss. Norman Fell is amusing, as the telephone man. Reynolds is unexpectedly glamorous, almost more suited for the lead in "Butterfield 8"; and, she looks especially sexy undressing for the lecherous Mr. Rickles.

***** The Rat Race (7/10/60) Robert Mulligan ~ Tony Curtis, Debbie Reynolds, Don Rickles

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Message Boards

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Uh, I am a bit unclear on one point IloveMuggy
I love this movie! tag65
What's with these schizo characters? miriamwebster
Names of songs laptow
It is coming to TCM on 3-12-08 at 8 P.M. EST! wtl471629
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