George Roy Hill and Robert Shaw reportedly celebrated filming with a week-long Irish pub crawl ending with Shaw playing ping-pong in his underwear.
Shaw reportedly regarded Sean Connery as a professional rival.
The screenplay was associated with The Big Con; its author sued and the production settled while denying plagiarism.
The film won seven of ten Oscar nominations.
The film’s budget and enormous box-office return are reported.

Casting What-Ifs

Jack Nicholson, Sterling Hayden, and Richard Boone are reported casting alternatives.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:23:50Read transcript

Jack Nicholson reportedly declined Hooker while predicting the movie would be a hit.
The panel believes Nicholson would have had the charm to succeed in the role.
Sterling Hayden reportedly declined Lonnegan because he would not shave his beard.
Richard Boone is named as another Lonnegan possibility who dropped out.

Recasting Couch

Jane Alexander is proposed as Salino; supporting con-team alternatives are discussed.

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:13Read transcript

Jane Alexander is proposed as Salino.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Period streets and cars; an accidental drink spill; the diner set; Redford’s broken thumb and lateness; the adapted score; Julia Phillips’s producing milestone.

In the discussion (11)

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:25Read transcript

George Roy Hill reportedly copied the sparse extras of 1930s gangster films, creating empty-looking streets.
Many cars were authentic period vehicles sourced by producer Tony Bill.
Snyder pouring the rejected drink onto Billie’s hand was an accident retained in the film.
The diner set later appeared in Back to the Future.
Redford worked around a broken thumb from a skiing accident.
Robert Shaw recalled people recognizing Newman more than Redford; the hosts question whether he was teasing Redford.
The adapted-score Oscar recognized Marvin Hamlisch’s arrangement of Scott Joplin music, a category whose rules later changed.
The discussion contrasts a proposed 1930s Chicago blues soundtrack with Hill’s preference for older ragtime music.
Julia Phillips became the first woman to win Best Picture as a producer.
Julia Phillips recalled that the producers had not negotiated their credit lettering, leaving their names looking less prominent.
Phillips reported that Newman confronted Redford about arriving late, after which Redford reduced his lateness.

Picking Nits

Poker procedure, the train conductor, shooting evidence, race verification, Billie’s availability, and the large con crew are questioned.

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:38:01Read transcript

The poker game is criticized for splashing the pot and acting out of order.
The conductor’s participation in the full poker game is questioned.
The group argues Lonnegan should notice the absence of entry and exit wounds on Hooker.
Lonnegan’s ability to verify the horse races in newspapers is questioned.
Eileen Brennan’s ability to run the brothel while remaining available for elaborate cons is questioned.
The payout and loyalty of roughly thirty betting-parlor participants are questioned.