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Ernest Lehman drew upon his experiences as a Broadway press agent to write the devastating a clef short story "Tell Me About Tomorrow." This in turn was adapted by Lehman and Clifford Odets into the sharp-edged, penetrating feature film Sweet Smell of Success. Burt Lancaster stars as J. J. Hunsecker, a Walter Winchell-style columnist who wields his power like a club, steamrolling friends and enemies alike. Tony Curtis co-stars as Sidney Falco, a sycophantic press agent who'd sell his grandmother to get an item into Hunsecker's popular newspaper column. Hunsecker enlists Falco's aid in ruining the reputation of jazz guitarist Steve Dallas (Martin Milner), who has had the temerity to court Hunsecker's sister Susan (Susan Harrison). Falco contrives to plant marijuana on Dallas, then summons corrupt, sadistic NYPD officer Harry Kello (Emile Meyer), who owes Hunsecker several favors, to arrest the innocent singer. The scheme eventually boomerangs, resulting in disaster for both Hunsecker and (especially) Falco. The real Walter Winchell, no longer as powerful as he'd been in the 1940s but still a man to be reckoned with, went after Ernest Lehman with both barrels upon the release of Sweet Smell of Success. Winchell was not so much offended by the unflattering portrait of himself as by the dredging up of an unpleasant domestic incident from his past. While Success was not a success at the box office, it is now regarded as a model of street-smart cinematic cynicism. The electric performances of the stars are matched by the taut direction of Alex MacKendrick, the driving jazz score of Elmer Bernstein, and the evocative nocturnal camerawork of James Wong Howe.
Condition:NEW. Brand New Factory Sealed
Cast & Crew - Sweet Smell of Success
Burt Lancaster
(Films)(Biography) J.J. Hunsecker
Tony Curtis
(Films)(Biography) Sidney Falco
Susan Harrison
(Films) Susan Hunsecker
Martin Milner
(Films)(Biography) Steve Dallas
Sam Levene Frank D'Angelo
Barbara Nichols Rita
Jeff Donnell Sally
Joseph Leon Robard
Edith Atwater Mary
Emile G. Meyer Harry Kello
Joe Frisco Herbie Temple
David White Otis Elwell
Lawrence Dobkin Leo Bartha
Lurene Tuttle Mrs. Bartha
Queenie Smith Mildred Tam
Autumn Russell Linda
Jay Adler Manny Davis
Lewis Charles Al Evans
The Chico Hamilton Quintet Actor
Chico Hamilton Actor
Technical Credits
Alexander MacKendrick Director
Edward Boyle Set Decoration/Design
Edward Carrere Art Director
Alan Crosland Jr. Editor
Elmer Bernstein Score Composer, Musical Direction/Supervision
Mary Grant Costumes/Costume Designer
Chico Hamilton Songwriter
James Hill Producer
James Wong Howe Cinematographer
Fred Katz Songwriter
Ernest Lehman Screenwriter
Richard McWhorter Production Manager
Clifford Odets Screenwriter
Robert J. Schiffer Makeup
Jack Solomon Sound/Sound Designer
Product Details
Actors: Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison, Martin Milner, Jeff Donnell
Directors: Alexander Mackendrick
Format: Black & White, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Language: English
Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Criterion Collection
DVD Release Date: February 22, 2011
Run Time: 96 minutes
FSpecial Features
SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
New, restored high-definition digital transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
New audio commentary by film scholar James Naremore
Mackendrick: The Man Who Walked Away, a 1986 documentary featuring interviews with director Alexander Mackendrick, actor Burt Lancaster, producer James Hill, and more
James Wong Howe: Cinematographer, a 1973 documentary about the Oscar-winning director of photography, featuring lighting tutorials with Howe
New video interview with film critic and historian Neil Gabler (Winchell: Gossip, Power and the Culture of Celebrity) about legendary columnist Walter Winchell, inspiration for the character J. J. Hunsecker
New video interview with filmmaker James Mangold about Mackendrick, his instructor and mentor
Original theatrical trailer
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