The Hustler (1961) | |
| Director(s) | Robert Rossen |
| Producer(s) | Robert Rossen |
| Top Genres | Drama, Romance, Sports |
| Top Topics | Book-Based |
Featured Cast:
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).
.The Hustler was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1997.
Academy Awards 1961 --- Ceremony Number 34 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actor | Paul Newman | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | Jackie Gleason | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | George C. Scott | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Piper Laurie | Nominated |
| Best Art Direction | Art Direction: Harry Horner; Set Decoration: Gene Callahan | Won |
| Best Cinematography | Eugen Shuftan | Won |
| Best Director | Robert Rossen | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Robert Rossen, Producer | Nominated |
| Best Writing | Sidney Carroll, Robert Rossen | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
The Hustler (1961, Robert Rossen)
on May 8, 2020 From The Stop ButtonIt?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 TimeThe 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 YouI 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 YouI 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 FilmsStarring 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
Minnesota Fats: So do you, Fast Eddie.
Fast Eddie: You know, I got a hunch, fat man. I got a hunch it's me from here on in. One ball, corner pocket. I mean, that ever happen to you? You know, all of a sudden you feel like you can't miss? 'Cause I dreamed about this game, fat man. I dreamed about this game every night on the road. Five ball. You know, this is my table, man. I own it.
[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.
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Facts about
Jackie Gleason was in reality a very good pool player and did many of his own shots in the film.
When it was necessary to show some of the trickier shots, 14 time world billiards champion Willie Mosconi (who was also the film's technical advisor) would play the stunt hands.
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