Storyline
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
Writers
Top Cast
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
Featured Reviews
N
Nutshell
May 25, 2020
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.
