The Hustler (Book & DVD Double Pack)

WATCH THE FILM...

Paul Newman heads a superb cast featuring Jackie Gleason, George C. Scott and Piper Laurie in this riveting film which received an Academy Award® nomination as Best Picture of 1961 and brought all four of its stars Oscar® nominations. Newman (Best Actor nominee) is electrifying as Fast Eddie Felson, an arrogant, amoral hustler who haunts back street pool rooms fleecing anyone who’ll pick up a cue. Determined to be acclaimed as the best, Eddie seeks out the legendary Minnesota Fats (Gleason, Supporting Actor nominee), who’s backed by Bert Gordon (Scott, Supporting Actor nominee). The love of a lonely woman (Laurie, Best Actress nominee) could turn Eddie’s life around, but he won’t rest until he bests Minnesota Fats, no matter what price he must pay.


READ THE BOOK BY WALTER TEVIS...

When it was first published in 1959, The Hustler was the first – and the best – novel written about billiards in the 400–year history of the game. The book quickly won a respected readership and later an audience for the movie with the same name starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason. The Hustler is about the victories and losses of one “Fast” Eddie Felson, a poolroom hustler who travels from town to town conning strangers into thinking they could beat him at the game when in fact, he is a skillful player who has never lost a game. Until he meets his match in Minnesota Fats, the true king of the poolroom, causing his life to change drastically. This is a classic tale of a man’s struggle with his soul and his self-esteem.