Pool shark Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) challenges the old pro Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) in Robert Rossen's 1961 immortal green felt classic, The Hustler.

Twentieth Century Fox's The Hustler features some of the best film chemistry ever to grace the silver screen. Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason portray professional pool players, fierce competitors who aren't afraid of betting big bucks on the outcome of a pool match.

"Do you like to gamble, Eddie? Gamble money on pool games?" a playful Gleason asks his nemesis, setting the stage for one of Hollywood's greatest showdowns.

The Break, Walter S. Tevis

The Hustler began life as a short story by Walter S. Tevis, first appearing in the January 1957 edition of Playboy. In 1959, Tevis's story was expanded into a novel and published by Harper & Row.

On February 9, 1959, NBC-TV's Alcoa Theatre aired an episode titled "Goodbye Johnny," with Cliff Robertson playing a young pool hustler. The character bore an uncanny resemblance to the one in Tevis's short story, prompting some entertainment historians to cite Robertson as the first Fast Eddie Felson.

Although previously optioned by another party, it was Robert Rossen who brought the big screen adaptation to fruition. Rossen, who would produce, direct and co-write the screenplay (with Sydney Carroll), was already a force in Hollywood, having directed 1949's Best Picture Oscar winner, All the King's Men.

Behind the Eight Ball

Originally considered for the role of Eddie Felson were Frank Sinatra, Cliff Robertson and Jack Lemmon. When Paul Newman became available, he read only half the script, loved it and duly instructed his agent to close the deal.

Prior to The Hustler, Newman had never touched a pool cue. Taking the actor under his wing was professional billiards champion Willie Mosconi, who not only coached Newman but also performed many of the film's most difficult shots. Not in need of professional instruction was Jackie Gleason, who had been a genuine pool hustler in his native Brooklyn.

Actual New York City locations were used in the movie, including the pivotal Ames Billiards (and its ironic sign: No Gambling Allowed), which served as the chosen arena pitting Fast Eddie vs. Minnesota Fats.

Providing the film's driving jazz score was Kenyon Hopkins, with a wailing, bluesy saxophone dominating the soundtrack.

Rack 'Em Up

The Hustler begins in slick, seedy fashion, with Fast Eddie and his partner Charlie Burns (Myron McCormick) relieving a greedy bartender (Vincent Gardenia) of $105 at the Homestead Bar & Grill. Eddie then hooks up with the legendary Minnesota Fats, engaging in a marathon game of high-stakes straight pool.

Young, brash, self-destructive, Eddie is determined to topple Fats from his pool hall pedestal. Along the way he encounters Bert Gordon (George C. Scott), a professional gambler and user of people; Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie), the young, lame, alcoholic woman who becomes his girlfriend; and James Findley (Murray Hamilton), a wealthy Kentuckian and skilled billiards adversary.

The Hustler crackles with blazing pool action and searing dialogue. "Why you're a pool shark, boy, a real pool shark," one tough menacingly sneers at Arthur's Pool Hall. The object of his derision, Fast Eddie, is then hustled into a dirty bathroom, where four waterfront thugs unceremoniously break his thumbs.

Running the Table

Premiering in Washington, D.C., in September 1961, The Hustler proved to be both a critical and financial success. Audiences marveled at Rossen's gritty depiction of the dark, smoky, subterranean world of gambling and pool halls and the shady characters who inhabit it. The Hustler would earn nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Newman), Best Actress (Laurie) and Best Supporting Actors (Gleason, Scott).

Chalk Up a Sequel

A sequel, The Color of Money, was released in 1986 and starred Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. Reprising his role as Fast Eddie Felson, Newman finally captured his first Best Actor Oscar.

"Fat man, you shoot a great game of pool," an admiring Eddie tells Fats.

And Robert Rossen and company shot a great motion picture.