Robert Redford and Paul Newman Shine In “The Sting”

One of the classics currently featured in our Fan Favorites from Universal Pictures sale, The Sting is the 1973 blockbuster that won seven Academy Awards — including Best Picture. Originally released theatrically on Christmas Day of 1973, this cinematic journey into the world of confidence tricksters set in 1930s Chicago stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker, grifters out to dupe ruthless banker Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Seeking revenge for the murder of Johnny’s former partner, the daring pair concocts an elaborate “sting” to relieve big bettor Lonnegan of his riches without leaving their fingerprints on the job. Along with the tight script, an array of excellent performances from the lead and co-stars Eileen Brennan, Ray Walston and Charles Durning, and fantastic direction from George Roy Hill, the film also brought Scott Joplin’s 1902 ragtime classic “The Entertainer” back into popularity thanks to a recording of it by A Chorus Line musical impresario Marvin Hamlisch. Like any good recipe, the film required all of these different ingredients baked perfectly together to result in a satisfying dish. And The Sting is just that, and so much more!