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The Hustler

  • 19611961
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
81K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,142
545
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Paul Newman in The Hustler (1961)
Trailer 1
Play trailer3:19
1 Video
95 Photos
  • Drama
  • Sport

An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.

IMDb RATING
8.0/10
81K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,142
545
  • Director
    • Robert Rossen
  • Writers
    • Sidney Carroll(screenplay)
    • Robert Rossen(screenplay)
    • Walter Tevis(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Jackie Gleason
    • Piper Laurie
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Rossen
  • Writers
    • Sidney Carroll(screenplay)
    • Robert Rossen(screenplay)
    • Walter Tevis(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Jackie Gleason
    • Piper Laurie
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 233User reviews
    • 112Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 13 wins & 20 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Hustler
    Trailer 3:19
    The Hustler

    Photos95

    Paul Newman and Piper Laurie in The Hustler (1961)
    Paul Newman in The Hustler (1961)
    Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason in The Hustler (1961)
    Jackie Gleason in The Hustler (1961)
    Paul Newman in The Hustler (1961)
    Paul Newman and Michael Constantine in The Hustler (1961)
    Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason in The Hustler (1961)
    The Hustler (1961)
    Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason in The Hustler (1961)
    The Hustler (1961)
    Paul Newman and Piper Laurie in The Hustler (1961)
    Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason in The Hustler (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Newman
    Paul Newman
    • Eddie Felsonas Eddie Felson
    Jackie Gleason
    Jackie Gleason
    • Minnesota Fatsas Minnesota Fats
    Piper Laurie
    Piper Laurie
    • Sarah Packardas Sarah Packard
    George C. Scott
    George C. Scott
    • Bert Gordonas Bert Gordon
    Myron McCormick
    • Charlie Burnsas Charlie Burns
    Murray Hamilton
    Murray Hamilton
    • Findleyas Findley
    Michael Constantine
    Michael Constantine
    • Big Johnas Big John
    Stefan Gierasch
    Stefan Gierasch
    • Preacheras Preacher
    Clifford A. Pellow
    • Turkas Turk
    • (as Cliff Pellow)
    Jake LaMotta
    Jake LaMotta
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Gordon B. Clarke
    Gordon B. Clarke
    • Cashieras Cashier
    Alexander Rose
    • Score Keeperas Score Keeper
    Carolyn Coates
    • Waitressas Waitress
    Carl York
    • Young Hustleras Young Hustler
    Vincent Gardenia
    Vincent Gardenia
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    William Adams
    William Adams
    • Old Doctoras Old Doctor
    • (uncredited)
    Tom Ahearne
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Andre
    • Waiter at Parisien Restaurantas Waiter at Parisien Restaurant
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Rossen
    • Writers
      • Sidney Carroll(screenplay)
      • Robert Rossen(screenplay)
      • Walter Tevis(based on the novel by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    "Fast" Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary "Minnesota Fats" to a high-stakes match, but he loses in a heartbreaking marathon. Now broke and without his long-time manager, Felson faces an uphill battle to regain his confidence and his game. It isn't until he hits rock bottom that he agrees to join up with ruthless and cutthroat manager Bert Gordon. Gordon agrees to take him on the road to learn the ropes. But Felson soon realizes that making it to the top could cost him his soul, and perhaps his girlfriend. Will he decide that this is too steep a price to pay in time to save himself? —<jgp3553@yahoo.com>
    • playing pool
    • arrogance
    • pool cue case
    • death of girlfriend
    • insult
    • 119 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • They Called Him "Fast Eddie"
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Sport
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason established a friendship on the set. At one point, Newman got a little cocky about his newfound pool skills and challenged the much more experienced Gleason to a $50 bet on a game. Newman broke, then it was Gleason's turn. He knocked all 15 balls in and Newman never got another shot. Gleason recalled that the next day Newman paid him off with 5000 pennies.
    • Goofs
      During the last pool match, second game, Minnesota Fats has taken his jacket off, loosened his tie and unbuttoned his vest, but one subsequent shot shows him with his tie tightened and wearing a buttoned vest and jacket.
    • Quotes

      [Fast Eddie is bothered because Bert called him a born loser]

      Fast Eddie: Cause, ya see, twice, Sarah... once at Ames with Minnesota Fats and then again at Arthur's, in that cheap, crummy pool room, now why'd I do it, Sarah? Why'd I do it? I coulda beat that guy, coulda beat 'im cold, he never woulda known. But I just hadda show 'im. Just hadda show those creeps and those punks what the game is like when it's great, when it's REALLY great. You know, like anything can be great, anything can be great. I don't care, BRICKLAYING can be great, if a guy knows. If he knows what he's doing and why and if he can make it come off. When I'm goin', I mean, when I'm REALLY goin' I feel like a... like a jockey must feel. He's sittin' on his horse, he's got all that speed and that power underneath him... he's comin' into the stretch, the pressure's on 'im, and he KNOWS... just feels... when to let it go and how much. Cause he's got everything workin' for 'im: timing, touch. It's a great feeling, boy, it's a real great feeling when you're right and you KNOW you're right. It's like all of a sudden I got oil in my arm. The pool cue's part of me. You know, it's uh - pool cue, it's got nerves in it. It's a piece of wood, it's got nerves in it. Feel the roll of those balls, you don't have to look, you just KNOW. You make shots that nobody's ever made before. I can play that game the way... NOBODY'S ever played it before.

      Sarah Packard: You're not a loser, Eddie, you're a winner. Some men never get to feel that way about anything.

    • Connections
      Featured in Portrait of an Actor (1971)
    • Soundtracks
      Louisville Dixieland
      (1961) (uncredited)

      Music by Dan Terry

    User reviews233

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Great games of pool. Not as great otherwise.
    The Hustler is a classic 1961 film about the shady pool halls of the post-WWII era. Anyone of the three main characters could fill the titular role, whether it be Paul Newman's up-and-comer, Jackie Gleason's man-to-beat, or George C. Scott's behind-the-scenes angle-shooter.

    These three stars (all-Oscar nominated) carry the picture, both individually and collectively. The thirty-ish Newman is simply a revelation to anyone (me) who hasn't seen him act much in his prime. He perfectly captures the smooth, in control but on the edge persona of Fast Eddie, who has the physical tools, but not necessarily the mental skills to be a champion. Gleason likewise perfectly fills the body and clothes of Minnesota Fats, with a graceful elegance uncommon to a man of his size. Scott (who declined his Oscar nomination) could easily have been overshadowed in his role, but his subtle and shifty eyes and movements create a character that occasionally outshines his two huge co-stars.

    The Hustler reaches its zeniths when at least two of these men are on the screen. The dialogue exchanges of Newman and Scott as they feel each other out crackle with intensity. Gleason and Scott ooze wary respect for each other; and Newman and Gleason combine admiration and competitiveness into one neat package from which the entire film derives its energy.

    A film about pool sharks seems to demand brilliant representation of its colorful world. But French cinematographer Eugene Shuftan instead opts for black-and-white, which surprisingly works wonderfully. His Oscar-winning imagery particularly excels in displaying light and shadows, such as the sun streaming into smoke-filled billiards halls. Shuftan accomplishes an exceptional feat, using a monotone style to effectively paint vivid pictures.

    Despite high achievement in so many areas, The Hustler suffers from Doughnut Syndrome: there's a hole in the middle. The pool scenes that bracket the story are very good, and one middle scene between Newman and Scott is the best of the film, but the romantic portion of the story flounders. The drifter Newman falls for a fellow drifter (Piper Laurie) for no apparent reason, other than alcohol and the fact that they're both alone. To their credit, they do acknowledge that their relationship is flimsy and depraved, but the movie squanders too much times on this wafer-thin story arc, rather than stick with what works.

    Those parts succeed wildly, about as enjoyable as any scenes ever shot, but without adequate buttressing material, the film as a whole falls short of the high watermark left by its parts.

    Bottom Line: Phenomenal at times, but subpar at others, the male performances carry the film. Seven of ten, but definitely worth viewing if you haven't seen it yet.
    helpful•29
    12
    • Pavel-8
    • Jun 7, 2005

    FAQ2

    • Is "The Hustler" based on a book?
    • Any recommendation for other pool-playing movies like "The Hustler"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 25, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Robert Rossen's The Hustler
    • Filming locations
      • Edison Studio, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Rossen Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,125,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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