Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Hustler (1961)
The Hustler
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Hustler (1961) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 43 | slideshow) Videos
The Hustler (1961) -- An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Rossen
Writers:
Sidney Carroll (screenplay) and
Robert Rossen (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Hustler on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 September 1961 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Romance | Sport more
Tagline:
They Called Him "Fast Eddie" more
Plot:
An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 13 nominations more
User Comments:
Best Sports Movie Ever more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Paul Newman ... Eddie Felson
Jackie Gleason ... Minnesota Fats
Piper Laurie ... Sarah Packard

George C. Scott ... Bert Gordon
Myron McCormick ... Charlie Burns
Murray Hamilton ... Findley

Michael Constantine ... Big John
Stefan Gierasch ... Preacher
Clifford A. Pellow ... Turk (as Cliff Pellow)
Jake LaMotta ... Bartender
Gordon B. Clarke ... Cashier
Alexander Rose ... Score Keeper
Carolyn Coates ... Waitress
Carl York ... Young Hustler
Vincent Gardenia ... Bartender
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Robert Rossen's The Hustler (USA) (complete title)
more
Runtime:
134 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Company:
Rossen Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During the filming, one of the production days happened to fall on St. Patrick's Day. Prior to Jackie Gleason's arrival to the shoot at the pool hall, the lighting crew took out all the clear gels, and replaced them with green ones. Upon seeing this, Gleason was so impressed he said, "Boys! This looks beautiful! Take the rest of the day off!". He left, and production was shut down for that day! more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the last game, Eddie calls and pockets the 1 ball. Then he sets up, calls the 12 ball and you hear the ball dropping into the pocket. Eddie then walks around to the other side of the table and calls the next shot - the 12 ball again. more
Quotes:
[Eddie watching Minnesota Fats during their first game, whispers to Charlie]
Fast Eddie: Boy, he is great! Jeez, that old fat man. Look at the way he moves: like a dancer... And those fingers, them chubby fingers. That stroke... it's like he's, uh, like he's playin' the violin or somethin'.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Dick Van Dyke Show: Hustling the Hustler (#2.5)" (1962) more
Soundtrack:
Louisville more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "The Hustler" based on a novel?
Any recommendation for other pool-playing movies like "The Hustler"?
more
26 out of 38 people found the following comment useful:-
Best Sports Movie Ever, 2 October 2004
Author: Ajtlawyer from Richland, WA

I think "The Hustler" is the best sports movie ever made. Fast Eddie Felson is perhaps the most talented pool shooter in the country and yet, at his core, he's a born loser. Why is Eddie so self-destructive? He has Minnesota Fats, ostensibly the country's greatest player, beaten in the first marathon match only to drink himself into insensibility and let Fats off the hook.

Throughout the movie Eddie is surrounded by other people who are self-destructive or only interested in making a buck off of him. Even Charlie, his original manager (Myron McCormick in a terrific role)needs him for a meal ticket. Bert, his second manager, is a slithering, calculating parasite who uses everyone around him. Sara, Eddie's pathetic girlfriend, is going through life in an aimless, alcoholic haze.

The movie really lets you into the lives of these people who live on the margins of society. The cinematography is outstanding, the settings and mood of the movie draw you in totally. The acting is uniformly outstanding from top to bottom. Great movies get great performances from the minor characters, too. Vincent Gardenia, Michael Constantine, Murray Hamilton and McCormick are perfect in the smaller roles while Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie (all getting well-deserved Oscar nominations) and George C. Scott are indelible in the major roles. Even boxer Jake LaMotta has a cameo as a bartender.

Can Eddie finally overcome being a born loser? Can love redeem any of these lost people? What makes a person a champion? Is it talent alone or does a champion need some inner demon that can only be defeated by pursuing victory at all costs?

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Hustler (1961)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Did Sarah sleep with George? tidypainter
No Masse Shots Allowed daisylane
why did eddie? bobwas99
I quit watching... DavidCrow
Newman and Scott both got robbed deniropacino89
Best Newman Performance? scrapiron215
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Color of Money The Cincinnati Kid The Payoff The Bad and the Beautiful From Here to Eternity
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Drama section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.