The 1961 drama The Hustler stars Paul Newman as "Fast" Eddie Felson, a talented but troubled pool hustler who challenges the legendary "Minnesota Fats" (Jackie Gleason) to an all-night, high-stakes match. Felson takes unnecessary chances and finally loses; the film follows his struggle to get himself in position for a rematch.
References
Fast Facts
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Director
Robert Rossen
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Starring
Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, George C. Scott, Piper Laurie
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Released
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Budget
$2 million USD
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Filmed in New York City
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Nominated for nine Academy Awards
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Won Oscars for Best Art/Set Direction and Best Cinematography for a black-and-white film
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Laurie, Gleason and Scott were all nominated for their supporting roles
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Scott refused his nomination, but would later win for his leading role in Patton
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Adaptation of the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis
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Widely considered to have rekindled an international interest in pool
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Boxer Jake LaMotta, portrayed by Robert DiNiro two decades later in Raging Bull, has a cameo as a bartender
