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.
Release Date
July 4, 1957
Runtime
1h 37m
Rating
7.6/10 (579 votes)
Director: Alexander Mackendrick
Cast: Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison, Martin Milner, Jeff Donnell, Sam Levene, Joe Frisco, Barbara Nichols
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 M...
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.
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.
Rosie Perez Discusses "Sweet Smell of Success" (Clip) | TCM Classic Film Festival x 92NY
Featurette
J.J. Hunsecker's Proposition
Clip
Dinner With The Senator
Clip
Susan & Steve's Secret Romance
Clip
John Landis on THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
Featurette
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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 relati…