Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success is a 1957 film which tells the story of a powerful newspaper columnist who uses his connections to ruin his sister's relationship with a man he deems inappropriate. It stars Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison and Martin Milner. Lancaster's role as J.J. Hunsecker is based on famed New York columnist Walter Winchell.

The movie was adapted by Clifford Odets, Ernest Lehman and Alexander Mackendrick (uncredited) from the novelette by Lehman. It was directed by Mackendrick. The film has been deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. The movie was photographed by James Wong Howe.

Tom Cruise has said that the Sidney Falco character was one of his main inspirations for the agent role he played in the film Jerry Maguire.

Plot

Sidney Falco (Curtis) is a sleazy PR man who will do anything to get publicity for his clients. He sees J.J. Hunsecker's (Lancaster), a powerful New York newspaper columnist, situation with his sister who wants to marry a jazzy musician as an opportunity to win the writer's favor. So, he sets out to break up the affair by smearing the musician in his column.

Cast

*Burt Lancaster as J.J. Hunsecker
*Tony Curtis as Sidney Falco
*Susan Harrison as Susan Hunsecker
*Martin Milner as Steve Dallas
*Sam Levene as Frank D' Angelo
*Chico Hamilton as Himself

Trivia

*In 2002 Sweet Smell of Success: The Musical was created by Marvin Hamlisch, Craig Carnelia and John Guare.
*Hunsecker's apartment building is actually the show-business office tower at 1619 Broadway, also known as the Brill Building, a famous part of Tin Pan Alley.

External links

*Dark City profile
*10 Shades of Noir review
*a detailed analysis of the film
*working script