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IMDbPro

The Hustler

  • 19611961
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
81K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,938
268
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
3,938
268
  • 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

    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
    8/10
    A Talented Loser
    It's an intriguing idea. If a person is talented, that person should be a winner. And, we would expect a loser to be someone who is not talented. But the idea that someone could be a talented loser is a paradox, a contradiction that doesn't fit into the conventional mindset of American culture, and is the basis for "The Hustler", a character study of an ace pool player who can't seem to win respect from his peers.

    The pool player is (Fast) Eddie Felson (Paul Newman). The plot moves along by means of four secondary characters with whom Fast Eddie interacts: (1) his manager, Charlie; (2) the veteran pool player, Minnesota Fats; (3) Eddie's girlfriend, Sarah; and (4) the money man, Bert Gordon.

    "The Hustler" is very much a product of the late 50's and early 60's, when progressive filmmakers were trying to buck the staid post WWII era, with its reactionary Cold War mentality that resulted in strict conformity to established American values. In this film, Bert Gordon and Minnesota Fats represent the establishment. Eddie Felson is the loner, up against the establishment; he's the renegade kid, out to beat the system. Yet, at every turn, the establishment beats Eddie, one way or another. His idealism is useless. He must conform to the establishment's rules, expressed in the film as "character", or give up his dreams.

    The film is therefore very cynical and incredibly cold. From start to finish, there's not an ounce of humor. It depresses the spirit. But the film is a very good metaphor for a terrible era wherein societal repression was the norm.

    While the story's main character may be a loser, the film itself is a talented winner. The excellent B&W lighting, together with a jazzy score, create an effectively somber and downbeat tone, consistent with the oppressive political atmosphere of that era. The dialogue is sparse and incisive. And the acting is persuasive. Paul Newman is convincing, as are the secondary characters. I especially liked the performance of Jackie Gleason, who comes across as suave, serious, and in total control, a great contrast to his comedic side, in "The Honeymooners".

    "The Hustler" is depressing and grim. But the film is very well made. It entertains in ways that are obvious, and educates in ways that are subtle.
    helpful•120
    38
    • Lechuguilla
    • Oct 29, 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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