Over the years, I’ve been completed confounded by the AFI’s lack of recognition for THE HUSTLER which is simply the best “sports” movie ever written with one of the best ensemble of actors ever put together: It’s Paul Newman’s best role; Jackie Gleason was so convincing as Fats, never once while watching it did I think of Ralph Crampton; although the role of Sarah was talyor made for Maryln Monroe, Piper Laurie put in an Oscar worthy performance; George C. Scott? He might have gotten the best lines of dialouge of any actor. Is Hollywood still punshing Robert Rossen for McCarthy’s bs?

Why is THE HUSTLER my favorite movie of all time? The character of Eddie Felson, the drama of the story, the dialouge… the dialouge was David Mametish before there was a David Mamet.