The Hustler Overview:

The Hustler (1961) was a Drama - Sports Film directed by Robert Rossen and produced by Robert Rossen.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Walter Tevis published in 1959.

SYNOPSIS

An arrogant and amoral hustler haunts poolrooms skinning suckers waiting to get a crack at bringing down Minnesota Fats. When he starts to have real feelings for a woman, he's faced with a dilemma. To pick up Fast Eddie's story years later, see The Color of Money (1987), an excellent sequel for which Newman won the Best Actor Oscar.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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The Hustler was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1997.

Academy Awards 1961 --- Ceremony Number 34 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorPaul NewmanNominated
Best Supporting ActorJackie GleasonNominated
Best Supporting ActorGeorge C. ScottNominated
Best ActressPiper LaurieNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Harry Horner; Set Decoration: Gene CallahanWon
Best CinematographyEugen ShuftanWon
Best DirectorRobert RossenNominated
Best PictureRobert Rossen, ProducerNominated
Best WritingSidney Carroll, Robert RossenNominated
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The Hustler BlogHub Articles:

The Hustler (1961, Robert Rossen)

on May 8, 2020 From The Stop Button

It?s an hour into The Hustler before the film offers any real information about protagonist Paul Newman. We?ve seen Newman and mentor slash manager Myron McCormick pool hustle their way across the North American continent, getting Newman to New York City so he can play the best pool player in the wo... Read full article


The Hustler (1961)

By Beatrice on Apr 26, 2017 From Flickers in Time

The Hustler Directed by Robert Rossen Written by Sidney Carroll and Robert Rossen from a novel by Walter Tevis 1961/USA Rossen Films/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Repeat viewing/Netflix rental One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Minnesota Fats: That’s what the game’... Read full article


Ruined by Romance: Drive (2011) and The Hustler (1961)

By Judy on Aug 7, 2014 From Cary Grant Won't Eat You

I was excited when Drive came out: finally, I thought, a new Bourne. An action flick with intelligence and fine acting, starring a man who had bypassed romantic leads after The Notebook to refine his skills in indies. And the promo! It looked exciting and moody, with the kind of premise that meant m... Read full article


Ruined by Romance: Drive (2011) and The Hustler (1961)

By Judy on Aug 7, 2014 From Cary Grant Won't Eat You

I was excited when Drive came out: finally, I thought, a new Bourne. An action flick with intelligence and fine acting, starring a man who had bypassed romantic leads after The Notebook to refine his skills in indies. And the promo! It looked exciting and moody, with the kind of premise that meant m... Read full article


The Hustler (1961)

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 5, 2014 From 4 Star Films

Starring Paul Newman, George C. Scott, Piper Laurie, and Jacke Gleason, the film follows a pool hustler named Fast Eddie Felson (Newman). A cocky and skilled player, Eddie travels all the way from Oakland, California to face the legendary Minnesota Fats (Gleason). In an epic pool marathon with very ... Read full article


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Quotes from The Hustler

Bert Gordon: I don't think there's a pool player alive shoots better pool than I saw you shoot the other night at Ames. You got talent.
Fast Eddie: So I got talent. So what beat me?
Bert Gordon: Character.


Fast Eddie: The pool game is over when Fats says it's over... I came after him and I'm gonna get him. I'm going with him all the way.


Fast Eddie: Boy, you better, you tell your boys they better kill me, Bert. They better go all the way with me, 'cause if they just bust me up, I'll put all those pieces back together again, then so help me... So help me God, Bert, I'm gonna come back here and I'm gonna kill you.


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Facts about The Hustler

One of the first mainstream Hollywood films to use the word "bastard".
Jackie Gleason was in reality a very good pool player and did many of his own shots in the film.
When first approached to play the role of Fast Eddie Felsen, Paul Newman couldn't accept it because he was scheduled to begin filming Two for the Seesaw with Elizabeth Taylor. When Taylor was held up with the filming of Cleopatra, "Seesaw" was postponed and Paul was able to do this film.
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Best Cinematography Oscar 1961











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National Film Registry

The Hustler

Released 1961
Inducted 1997
(Sound)




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Also directed by Robert Rossen




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Also produced by Robert Rossen




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Also released in 1961




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