A Hustler was the 1959 novel by American writer Walter Tevis, which tells the story of the immature pool player who challenges a legendary Minnesota Fats but loses, sending his life into a tailspin.

The Film

A Hustler was late mass produced into the 1961 film starring Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson, Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats, Piper Laurie and George C. Scott.

A flick was adapted by Sidney Carroll & Robert Rossen from the novel by Walter Tevis. It was directed by Rossen.

Awards

It won Academy Awards for Best Art Directions-Set Decoration, Black-and-White and Best Cinematography, Black-and-White and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Paul Newman), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (George C. Scott, world health organization refused a nomination), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jackie Gleason), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Piper Laurie), Best Director (Robert Rossen), Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

Newman played a equivalent role of "Fast" Eddie Felson as an older & mentor in the 1986 film The Color of Money (also adapted from either the Tevis novel), directed by Martin Scorsese.

A original film has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.