“Beware these “Gentlemen” of the press!”
New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan, who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas. Hunsecker strongly disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.
Where to Watch
Streaming, rent and purchase options
Cast & Crew
Burt Lancaster
J.J. Hunsecker
Tony Curtis
Sidney Falco
Susan Harrison
Susan Hunsecker
Martin Milner
Steve Dallas
Jeff Donnell
Sally
Sam Levene
Frank D' Angelo
Joe Frisco
Herbie Temple
Barbara Nichols
Rita
Emile Meyer
Lt. Harry Kello
Edith Atwater
Mary
Chico Hamilton
The Chico Hamilton Quintet
Paul Horn
The Chico Hamilton Quintet
Fred Katz
The Chico Hamilton Quintet
Buddy Clark
The Chico Hamilton Quintet
Jay Adler
Manny Davis (uncredited)
Mary Bayless
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Nicky Blair
Toots Shor's Patron (uncredited)
Nick Borgani
Waiter (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks
Patron at 21 (uncredited)
Brad Brown
Patron at 21 (uncredited)
Steve Carruthers
Patron at 21 (uncredited)
Robert Carson
Lou (Toots Shor's Headwaiter) (uncredited)
Lewis Charles
Al Evans (uncredited)
Dick Cherney
Toots Shor's Patron (uncredited)
Story & Production Details
Reviews & Thoughts
A better title might be The Sad Stench of Desperation. Was Burt Lancaster ever better than in this riveting late-fifties noir from director Alexander Mackendrick? That's a tough question. But it's a no-brainer that Tony Curtis' performance here is top-level craft at its best (as in The Boston Stangler). The supporting cast also turns in some beautiful work, notably Susan Harrison and Martin Milner. This uncomfortable story breaks many rules and comes out the better for it. The jazzy score is perfect, setting the film's nervous tone and fitting the period like a glove. A totally unique and daring film-noir for the period, and one of my all time favorites.
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