10 Questions about The Hustler | Movies

Answer: Eddie Felson

Newman's character of "Fast Eddie" Felson is a talented, but tortured soul. He uses confidence to fuel his talent, but over confidence also proves to be his downfall, at times. Newman reprised this role in the movie "The Color of Money". Amazingly, he won his only Oscar for an older "Fast Eddie" in "The Color of Money".

The "Color of Money" performance is far inferior to the original "Fast Eddie" role, in my opinion (not to mention roles like "Cool Hand" Luke, Hud, etc).

Answer: Oakland, California

Eddie proudly decrees that he is from Oakland, Ca on a few occasions throughout the film. Eddie Parker,the true life inspiration for the "Fast Eddie" character, was from Missouri. However,Walter Tevis, the author of the novel on which the film is based, made "Eddie" from Oakland, Ca.

This was done to basically give him more time on the road to "Hustle" on his way to his climactic match in New York.

Answer: Minnesota Fats

Mosconi was the greatest true life pool shark of all time. Steve Mizerack, was perhaps the greatest trick shot pool artist of all time. Vincent Lauria was Tom Cruise's fictional "Hustler" in 'The Color of Money'. "The Fat Man", as "Fast Eddie" liked to call him, was initially a fictional character derived by author Walter Tevis.

However, many believe "Fats" was based on a real life pool shark by the name of Rudolf Wanderone, who adopted the moniker in real life to become the most famous pool player ever known. Jackie Gleason played the role of Minnesota Fats, and he himself, was a very skilled pool player.

Answer: Straight Pool

Straight Pool was always the preferred game for professionals and "hustlers", 'til perhaps the late 70s. More speedy games like Eight Ball and Nine ball then became the more popular forms. Kelly Pool (aka Pea Bottle Pool) is a fun game where players draw a secret number, corresponding to one of the 15 numbered pool balls.

They then shot the balls in sequence 1 to 15. If you make "your ball", in correct order, you win. If another player makes it you're out/lose. It can be played with 2 to 15 players (if you choose). Straight pool is still considered the ultimate challenge of skill for any top notch "pool shark".

Answer: Ames Billiard Parlor

Like the cashier said in the film; "No bar, no pinball, no bowling alleys, just pool. This is Ames, mister". Based on a conglomeration of pool halls in New York, Ames was a real place. So too were Arthur's and McGin's. The Golden Bubble is a true bar/pool hall, but in Fort Bragg, California, where I grew up.

Answer: J.T.S Brown

"J.T.S Brown, no glass, no ice", are the words Eddie utters as a sign that things are getting serious (both in the pool realm and imbibing world). His opponent orders White Tavern, a fictional brand. Maker's Mark is a fine bourbon with a distinctive red wax bottle cap. Cutty Sark is a blended scotch whiskey.

Answer: bus depot

Eddie is winning in this epic pool match. However, he eventually gets over confident and inebriated, losing all his winnings back in the process. Downtrodden and heading home, a beaten man, Eddie goes to the local bus depot to head for home. By happenstance he runs into Piper Laurie's character, and the two fall in love. Both characters are fatally flawed, and lead one another to both agony and ecstasy.

Answer: corrupted

Piper Laurie's character is a tortured soul. She eventually commits suicide near the end of the film. She has a coerced tryst with George C. Scott's character, Bert Gordon. Afterwards guilt, depression, and alcohol fuel her suicide. Eddie is a broken man after her death, and vows vengeance against Bert.

The three words scribbled on the mirror not only describe George C. Scott's character, but in a way describe how Sarah (Piper Laurie's character) feels about herself.

Answer: Eddie beats "Fats" so badly that "Minnesota" quits

Eddie walks in and challenges "The Fat Man" to a game for $3000 (all the money Eddie has left to his name). If "Fats" can beat him that very first game it is all over, and Eddie vows that they will never see the likes of him again. However, Minnesota Fats errs, and Eddie strings together a winning streak so long that it causes "Fats" to utter; "You're too good Eddie. I can't beat you", and quit right then and there.

Answer: set foot in a pool hall again

A tsunami of emotion spews from Eddie, and death threats are made by both men. In the sequel, 'The Color of Money', Fast Eddie Felson does enter pool halls again. However, he doesn't play any pool until the climactic tournament in Las Vegas at the very end of the film.