Sting, The (Universal 1973, Paul Newman, Robert Redford)

Robert Redford, Paul Newman and director George Roy Hill return in The Sting four years after their success with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to create the most popular of all the buddy movies spawned by their earlier success.

The ’20s-era comedy-adventure revolves around an elaborate con set up to avenge the murder of Redford’s pal, a small-time grifter, by a Chicago mobster (the brilliant Robert Shaw). Redford seeks out the king of the cons, Newman, and finds him living in squalor. After Redford gets Newman on his feet, the old pro and the willing apprentice set up a gambling con game that unfolds like a Chinese puzzle box. Marvin Hamlisch’s score based on Scott Joplin tunes created a brief revival of ragtime music.

The screenplay for the Oscar winner The Sting was actually inspired by a 1940 non-fiction book, The Big Con, by David Maurer.

Academy Award Nominations: 10, including Best Actor: Robert Redford; Best Cinematography.

production details
USA /Universal / 129 minutes / 1973

Director: George Roy Hill
Writers: David S. Ward,

cast
Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff
Robert Redford as Johnny Hooker
Robert Shaw as Doyle Lonnegan
Sally Kirkland as Crystal
Charles Durning as Lt. Wm. Snyder
Ken Sansom as Western Union Executive
Susan French as Landlady (uncredited)
Alexander Lockwood as Landlord (uncredited)
Ray Walston as J.J. Singleton
Eileen Brennan as Billie
Byron Morrow as Mr. Jameson from Chicago (uncredited)
John Quade as Riley
Harold Gould as Kid Twist
John Heffernan as Eddie Niles
Dana Elcar as F.B.I. Agent Polk
Jack Kehoe as Erie Kid
Robert Earl Jones as Luther Coleman
James Sloyan as Mottola
Charles Dierkop as Floyd – Bodyguard
Lee Paul as Bodyguard
Avon Long as Benny Garfield
Arch Johnson as Combs
Ed Bakey as Granger
Brad Sullivan as Cole
Dimitra Arliss as Loretta
Larry D. Mann as Train Conductor
Leonard Barr as Burlesque House Comedian
Paulene Myers as Alva Coleman
Jack Collins as Duke Boudreau
Tom Spratley as Curly Jackson
Ta-Tanisha as Louise Coleman
William Benedict as Roulette Dealer
Arthur Tovey as Bank Officer (uncredited)
Kathleen Freeman as Kid Twist’s Wife (uncredited)
Robert Brubaker as Bill Clayton from Pittsburgh (uncredited)
Bruce Kimball as Lacey the Bouncer (uncredited)
Chuck Morrell as FBI Agent Chuck (uncredited)
Pearl Shear as Lady in Phone Booth (uncredited)
Guy Way as Gambling Den Boss (uncredited)
Joe Tornatore as Black Gloved Gunman

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