The Sting: A Gambling Film Review

The Sting is based on the real life exploits of Fred and Charley Gondorff.

The Sting is a film based on the book “The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man” written by David Maurer. Released in 1973, the film stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as two con men who try to cross a mob boss played by Robert Shaw. The story was based on the actual accounts of Fred and Charley Gondorff. The director David S. Ward was known for his work with Newman and Redford in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

• Based on a book based on true events
• Accounts of Fred and Charley Gondorff
• Won 7 Academy Awards

Set in the 1930’s, the costume design is excellent. Added touches, such as old fashioned lettering and illustrations, create a nostalgic effect. The film makes perfect use of ragtime, an early form of jazz made popular by Scott Joplin. Making US gambling news, The Sting received 10 Academy Award nominations. The Sting won seven Oscars including awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

The Sting starts with a con made by Hooker

The Sting begins in 1936 during the Great Depression, a time in American history where most people were impoverished due to the stock market crash. Johnny Hooker, played by Redford, is an Illinois con man who swindles a guy, with the help of his buddies, out of USD 11,000. One of his partners, Luther Coleman, decides to retire. Before doing so, he advises Hooker to go to Chicago to find his friend “Shaw.”

According to Luther, Shaw Gondorf, played by Newman, can teach Hooker the “big con.” Hooker’s possible plans are thwarted when the guy he took the money from reports to his boss, mobster Doyle Lonnegan, what happened. In addition, Hooker is “shaken” down by Police Lieutenant William Snyder who claimed he knew of the con. As a result, Hooker uses counterfeit money to pay off the lieutenant.

Going to Chicago, Hooker meets Shaw who is currently hiding from the FBI for his past exploits. Hooker asks Shaw to help him take down Lonnegan. Shaw remembers a classic con called “the wire” and decides to work with Hooker. After setting up a fake betting parlor violating US gambling laws, Shaw enters a high stakes poker game aboard Lonnegan’s yacht. Shaw is able to win 15,000 dollars and irritate Lonnegan in the process.

Claiming to be Shaw’s employee, Hooker approaches Lonnegan later to collect his boss’ winnings. Hooker convinces Lonnegan that he wants to take over Shaw’s business. In addition, Hooker mentions his partner Les Harmon works in the Chicago Western Union office and can arrange for them to make winning bets on horse races, after they know the results.

The Sting continues as Snyder and the FBI trail Hooker and Shaw

Lieutenant Snyder is hunting Hooker down for those counterfeit bills. After Synder learns Hooker is in Chicago, FBI agents order him to help them apprehend Shaw. Agent Polk, whose leading the investigation, wants to use Hooker to get to Shaw. Lonnegan, who wants desperately to kill Hooker, hires a hitman to find Hooker. Although the hitman, wearing black, is on Hooker’s trail, Lonnegan doesn’t suspect Hooker and Shaw’s worker are the same.

Hooker is making serious money his Lonnegan as he has won two races including a trifecta. Since Hooker’s partner Harmon, another con man, is providing such great results, Lonnegan decides to back a USD 500,000 bet at Shaw’s betting parlor hoping to get revenge. Unfortunately Snyder apprehends Hooker and brings him to Agent Polk who forces him to “stab Shaw in the back” to avoid the incarceration of Luther’s wife.

Meanwhile Hooker, meets a waitress named Loretta who actually turns out to be the actual killer hired by Lonnegan. The “hitman” wearing black was actually hired by Shaw to protect Hooker. His friend, Harmon advises Lonnegan to place his bet on “Lucky Dan.” The mob boss uses the gambling news and wages the 500,000 dollars in Shaw’s parlor. After the race begins, Harmon enters the parlor and claims that Lonnegan misunderstood him. Polk and several FBI agents storm the parlor to apprehend Shaw.

Upon learning of Hooker’s betrayal, Shaw shoots him in the back. Snyder shoots Shaw and orders Lieutenant Snyder to remove Lonnegan from the scene. After Lonnegan and Snyder leave, Hooker and Shaw laugh as Agent Polk is revealed as a con man named Hickey. The con on top of the con proved successful and the men share their winnings from Lonnegan. Hooker, who’s clear of Lonnegan, refuses his share.