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The Hustler
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The Hustler (1961) More at IMDbPro »

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The Hustler (1961) -- An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 9% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Rossen
Writers:
Sidney Carroll (screenplay) and
Robert Rossen (screenplay) ...
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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
NewsDesk:
(28 articles)
Paul Newman Tribute DVD Set Due in September
 (From Get The Big Picture. 1 July 2009, 10:00 AM, PDT)

Paul Newman Immortalized on 17 Discs
 (From TheMovingPicture. 30 June 2009, 10:14 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
A Talented Loser 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
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Robert Rossen's The Hustler (USA) (complete title)
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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:
Filmed over six weeks entirely on location in New York City. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Eddie's hands change position on his cue after his first shot against Minnesota Fats. more
Quotes:
[in their $3,000 game, after Minnesota Fats breaks, it's Eddie's shot]
Fast Eddie: How should I play that one, Bert? Play it safe? That's the way you always told me to play it: safe... play the percentage. Well, here we go: fast and loose. One ball, corner pocket. Yeah, percentage players die broke, too, don't they, Bert?
[he makes the shot and the spectators applaud]
Fast Eddie: How can I lose?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Hvid nat (2007) 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
67 out of 96 people found the following comment useful:-
A Talented Loser, 29 October 2005
8/10
Author: Lechuguilla from Dallas, Texas

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.

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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
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