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Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

7.6 | Jul 04, 1957 (US) | Drama | 01:37
Budget: 3 400 000 | Revenue: 2 500 000

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.

Featured Crew

Director, Additional Writing
Executive Producer
Executive Producer
Executive Producer
Screenplay, Novel
Original Music Composer, Conductor
Art Direction
Producer
Editor, Editorial Coordinator
Director of Photography

Cast

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Burt Lancaster
J.J. Hunsecker
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Tony Curtis
Sidney Falco
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Susan Harrison
Susan Hunsecker
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Martin Milner
Steve Dallas
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Sam Levene
Frank D' Angelo
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Joe Frisco
Herbie Temple
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Emile Meyer
Lt. Harry Kello

Reviews

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Nutshell
N/A | 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.