The Hustler (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Description

Newman is a top-notch pool hustler who gets cocky and
challenges Gleason’s Minnesota Fats to the match of his life. Set Contains: In
addition to a wealth of new material, all of the bonus features from 2002’s
special edition DVD of The Hustler are included on this two-disc Collector’s
Edition. The full-length audio commentary is an assembly of several
interviews, combining pre-recorded questions by film historian Stuart
Galbraith IV with anecdotes, recollections, and observations by star Paul
Newman, film editor Dede Allen, Carol Rossen (daughter of director Robert
Rossen), filmmaker Ulu Grosbard (who served as assistant director on The
Hustler), actor Stefan Gierasch (who played “Preacher” in the film), writer-
producer Jeff Young, and Time magazine film critic/historian Richard Schickel,
who was a friend of the late Robert Rossen. The commentary is wide-ranging and
intelligent, covering a broad spectrum of topics from on-the-set memories,
thematic analysis, production history, and historical context. Also carried
over from the previous DVD is the full-frame documentary “The Hustler: The
Inside Story” (24:30), in which Schickel, Grosbard, Carol Rossen, the late Law
& Order actor Jerry Orbach, and several authors, billiards historians and
champion pool players provide personal perspectives on The Hustler’s enduring
appeal. The documentary also includes vintage 1961 newsreel footage of red-
carpet ceremonies at The Hustler’s New York premiere. In “How to Make the
Shot,” pool champion Mike Massey provides a picture-in-picture demonstration
of five challenging pool shots shown in the film. The new Collector’s Edition
features begin with “Life in the Fast Lane: Fast Eddie Felson and the Search
for Greatness” (11:50), in which Paul Newman, costar Piper Laurie, Dede Allen,
actor Michael Constantine, and USC film-school professor Drew Casper are seen
in separate interviews, discussing the personality, psychology, and
motivations of Newman’s memorable character. Most of the same interviewees
appear in “Milestones in Cinema History” (28:00), an excellent in-depth study
of The Hustler, focusing on the film’s themes of winning and losing in
America, its place in the history of cinematic social realism, and revealing
character analysis. In “Swimming with Sharks: The Art of the Hustle” (9:35),
several authors and professional billiards players discuss the history of pool
sharks and The Hustler’s authentic depiction of pool-hall hustlers. “Paul
Newman: Hollywood’s Cool Hand” (43:40) is a full-length episode of Biography
from 2003, narrated by Lost in Space alumnus Bill Mumy and providing a
thorough biographical profile of Newman from the start of his stellar career
and long-time marriage to Joanne Woodward, to his superb supporting role in
2002’s Road to Perdition. “The Films of Paul Newman” is a collection of eight
trailers from 20th-Century Fox productions that Newman starred in; the stills
gallery consists of nine images (stills, posters, etc.) from The Hustler; and
the film’s English and Spanish-language theatrical trailers are also included.
–Jeff Shannon

Features:

Product Details:

• Genre: Action & Adventure
• Format: Dubbed, Collector's Edition, Multiple Formats, Subtitled, NTSC, Black & White
• Contributor: Jim Dukas, Stefan Gierasch, Hoke Howell, Jack Healy, Robert Rossen, Paul Newman, Myron McCormick, Tom Ahearne, Carl York, Charles McDaniel, Murray Hamilton, Piper Laurie, Sid Raymond, Clifford A. Pellow, Charles Andre, Willie Mosconi, Jackie Gleason, William Duell, Michael Constantine, William Adams (II), Charles Dierkop, Brendan Fay, Don De Leo, Alexander Rose, George C. Scott, Jake LaMotta, Charles Mosconi, Carolyn Coates, Robert Daget, Vincent Gardenia, Gordon B. Clarke, Art Smith, Don Koll See more
• Language: English
• Runtime: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.35:1
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ Unrated (Not Rated)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 3.52 Ounces
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ FOXS2273146DVD
• Director ‏ : ‎ Robert Rossen
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ Dubbed, Collector's Edition, Multiple Formats, Subtitled, NTSC, Black & White
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ June 12, 2007
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, Myron McCormick