Friday, Legend, 2:30pm
Ah, The Sting (1973)—a film that made trickery look so elegant you'd almost feel bad for the marks. Directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford at the peak of their combined charm offensive, this Oscar-winning caper is a slick, stylish tribute to the art of the con. Set in 1936 Chicago, the film follows two grifters, Johnny Hooker (Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Newman), as they plot an elaborate revenge scam against a ruthless crime boss. With its razor-sharp script and a final twist so deliciously executed it could make a poker pro blush, The Sting is the gold standard of confidence trickery on screen.
And then there’s that soundtrack—ah, that soundtrack. In a stroke of inspired anachronism, the film resurrected the ragtime piano stylings of Scott Joplin, some 30 years after they’d fallen out of fashion. Marvin Hamlisch, who arranged and adapted Joplin’s music, deserves a standing ovation for making The Entertainer synonymous with grifting in waistcoats. The jaunty piano tunes, originally composed in the early 1900s, perfectly underscore the film’s blend of charm and deception, creating a sense of playful mischief. Hamlisch’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed—he nabbed an Oscar for Best Original Song Score and Adaptation, proving that sometimes, the right bit of nostalgia can make all the difference.
For soundtrack collectors, The Sting is a gem—an album that not only revived interest in ragtime but also solidified its place in pop culture. The vinyl edition is a must-have for anyone who appreciates the dulcet tones of a well-tickled ivories. More importantly, the success of the film’s score led to a full-blown Joplin revival, bringing the composer’s work back into public consciousness after decades in obscurity. The lesson here? A well-placed piece of music can con its way into history just as easily as a well-laid scheme.
- Palu Allen