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The Rewatchables ·

The Sting

year 1973decade 70sdirector George Roy Hillgenre Crime
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 28 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:19:33

Redford’s performance outside one speaker’s top ten

One participant says the Oscar-nominated performance would not make his top ten Redford performances.

Bill Simmons: Another argues that pranks were cooler in the 1970s and that modern anti-prank sentiment is excessive.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:46:21

Revenge is for suckers

Chris Ryan: Revenge is for suckers is selected as a lesson.

The film

The Sting (1973)

Directed by George Roy Hill · Crime

129 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Paul Newman Henry Gondorff
Robert Redford Johnny Hooker
Robert Shaw Doyle Lonnegan
Charles Durning Lt. William Snyder
Ray Walston J. J. Singleton
Harold Gould Kid Twist
John Heffernan Eddie Niles
Dana Elcar FBI Agent Polk
Jack Kehoe Erie Kid
Dimitra Arliss Loretta
Robert Earl Jones Luther Coleman
James J. Sloyan Mottola
Lee Paul Lonnegan's second bodyguard
Sally Kirkland Crystal
Avon Long Benny Garfield
Arch Johnson Combs
Ed Bakey Granger
John Quade Riley
Larry D. Mann Clemens
Leonard Barr Leonard
Paulene Myers Alva Coleman
Joe Tornatore Black Gloved Gunman
Jack Collins Duke Boudreau
Tom Spratley Curly Jackson
Ken Sansom Western Union Executive
Ta-Tanisha Louise

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

47:11

Most Rewatchable Scene

The train poker game is selected twice; the first Gondorff-Hooker meeting is another explicit favorite. The opening c...

The train poker game is selected twice; the first Gondorff-Hooker meeting is another explicit favorite. The opening con, roulette loss, counterfeit handoff, train setup, fake race, revenge exchange, Salino reveal, and final con are additional nominees.

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:11Read transcript
  • The opening switch with Luther is nominated as a strong opening con.
  • The train stretch combining Lonnegan’s pickpocketing, card tricks, gin trick, and poker game is nominated as one long sequence. — Bill Simmons
  • Hooker immediately losing his winnings at roulette is included despite an objection that the bet is implausible. — Bill Simmons
  • Hooker paying Snyder with counterfeit money is nominated.
  • The poker game is selected for Newman’s comic drunk performance and the four-jack cheat.
  • Hooker apparently offering to double-cross Gondorff is nominated for making the audience question the con. — Bill Simmons
  • The fake Blue Note race is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Gondorff and Hooker’s exchange about revenge being for suckers is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Salino’s reveal as the assassin and death are nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The final con, fake shootings, and Hooker declining his share are nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The poker game is explicitly selected by two participants. — Chris Ryan
  • Gondorff and Hooker’s first meeting, with hungover Gondorff and their verbal sparring, is selected as another favorite. — Chris Ryan
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1:00:40

What’s Aged the Best?

Pickpocketing, train travel, period drinking, the practical con, and the loose 1974 Oscars presentation

Pickpocketing, train travel, period drinking, the practical con, and the loose 1974 Oscars presentation

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:40Read transcript
  • Pickpocketing is praised as an underused movie device. — Bill Simmons
  • A star-filled train trip with the possibility of danger is praised. — Bill Simmons
  • Schlitz bottles and beer at breakfast are praised as period texture. — Chris Ryan
  • The practical construction and staffing of the con are praised.
  • Elizabeth Taylor presenting Best Picture after the streaker interrupted the ceremony is recommended as loose, memorable awards footage. — Bill Simmons
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1:09:45

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The editing transitions and iris effects.

The editing transitions and iris effects.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:45Read transcript
  • William Reynolds’s editing is selected instead of a single photographic composition.
  • The iris transition is singled out.
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1:11:41

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The extra hitmen, absence of a substantial woman, sequel, racial slurs, and slow late stretch

The extra hitmen, absence of a substantial woman, sequel, racial slurs, and slow late stretch

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:41Read transcript
  • Cole and Sullivan continuing to pursue Hooker after Salino takes over are criticized as a confusing and unnecessary extra hitman subplot. — Chris Ryan
  • The absence of a substantial woman in the con is identified as a missed opportunity. — Bill Simmons
  • The Sting II is selected as the worst extension of the film.
  • Several racial slurs are identified as dated. — Bill Simmons
  • The stretch after the Blue Note scene is criticized as slow and overextended. — Bill Simmons
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1:16:48

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Redford, Jack Kehoe, and Robert Shaw are nominated without a single resolved winner.

Redford, Jack Kehoe, and Robert Shaw are nominated without a single resolved winner.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:48Read transcript
  • Redford is nominated for several unusually heightened moments.
  • Jack Kehoe is nominated for a heightened barroom performance.
  • Robert Shaw is nominated for Lonnegan’s angry insistence on his name.
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1:19:33

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Redford’s performance outside one speaker’s top ten; 1970s prank culture defended

Redford’s performance outside one speaker’s top ten; 1970s prank culture defended

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:33Read transcript
  • One participant says the Oscar-nominated performance would not make his top ten Redford performances.
  • Another argues that pranks were cooler in the 1970s and that modern anti-prank sentiment is excessive. — Bill Simmons
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1:24:20

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Jack Kehoe

Jack Kehoe

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:20Read transcript
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1:25:09

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Lonnegan’s silent henchman

Lonnegan’s silent henchman

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:09Read transcript
  • Luther, Salino, Billie, Lonnegan’s silent henchman, and the fake FBI agent are nominated.
  • Lonnegan’s silent henchman is selected for standing out without dialogue. — Bill Simmons
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1:30:25

Apex Mountain

Redford and George Roy Hill

Redford and George Roy Hill

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:25Read transcript
  • Paul Newman is rejected for Apex Mountain, which is placed earlier in his career. — Bill Simmons
  • Redford is selected for reaching first-call status through The Way We Were and The Sting.
  • George Roy Hill is selected after winning Best Director and following Butch Cassidy with The Sting.
  • Scott Joplin’s ragtime revival is proposed.
  • Schlitz is proposed for its 1930s dominance and possible 1970s revival. — Bill Simmons
  • The Sting is debated as Apex Mountain for con movies because of its success and influence.
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1:42:14

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A prestige continuation following Gondorff and Hooker running new cons

A prestige continuation following Gondorff and Hooker running new cons

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:14Read transcript
  • A continuation with Gondorff and Hooker on the run from Lonnegan is proposed.
  • A weekly Burn Notice-style series with a new con each episode is proposed.
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1:44:16

Just One Oscar

David S. Ward’s screenplay

David S. Ward’s screenplay

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:44:16Read transcript
  • George Roy Hill is proposed before the group notes he already won. — Bill Simmons
  • Marvin Hamlisch is proposed for the score.
  • David S. Ward is selected for a script said to have changed very little during filming.
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1:45:53

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Poker chips, Gondorff’s cards, the alligator wallet, and counterfeit money

Poker chips, Gondorff’s cards, the alligator wallet, and counterfeit money

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:45:53Read transcript
  • The poker chips are selected. — Bill Simmons
  • Gondorff’s playing cards are selected. — Bill Simmons
  • The alligator wallet and counterfeit money are selected. — Chris Ryan
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1:46:21

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Revenge is for suckers; never reveal that the con succeeded.

Revenge is for suckers; never reveal that the con succeeded.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:21Read transcript
  • Revenge is for suckers is selected as a lesson. — Chris Ryan
  • Keeping the victim unaware even after taking the money is selected as another lesson.
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1:47:38

Who Won the Movie?

Robert Redford

Robert Redford

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:38Read transcript
  • Paul Newman receives the first winner vote.
  • Robert Redford receives two winner votes because he walks out of the movie “smelling like gold.”
  • George Roy Hill is proposed as an alternative for directing both this film and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. — Bill Simmons
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Paul Newman
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Robert Redford
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Robert Redford
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