Sweet Smell of Success

Unrated

7/4/19571h 37m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Beware these “Gentlemen” of the press! ~

Overview:

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.

Director:

Alexander Mackendrick

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$3,400,000.00

Revenue:

$2,500,000.00

Key words:

media tycoon
new york city
newspaper
sibling relationship
jazz singer or musician
film noir
black and white
gossip columnist

Cast

Burt Lancaster

~ as ~

J.J. Hunsecker

Tony Curtis

~ as ~

Sidney Falco

Susan Harrison

~ as ~

Susan Hunsecker

Martin Milner

~ as ~

Steve Dallas

Jeff Donnell

~ as ~

Sally

Sam Levene

~ as ~

Frank D' Angelo

Joe Frisco

~ as ~

Herbie Temple

Barbara Nichols

~ as ~

Rita

Emile Meyer

~ as ~

Lt. Harry Kello

Edith Atwater

~ as ~

Mary

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

Nutshell
Written 5 year(s) ago
~~
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.