Sweet Smell of Success (1957)- "This one is toting that one... for you" 1 min Film School

How to write great dialogue like this scene? Well you cannot. It's too perfect. This sequence might be the greatest in it's genre, writers Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman somehow manage to establish plot, characters, mood, subtext with five people talking amongst themselves... and Burt Lancaster in full cry. DR Alexander Mackendrick uses the camera in one deft move to climax this great scene.
/ djhfilmfoto

[@izetyusein3323]

THIS is how you write expert dialogue! It's sophisticated, imaginative, intelligent, spit-fire delivered, creative, and most importantly, non-repetitive. It's writing like this and other movies released the same decade and year such as the masterfully written 12 Angry Men, that movie dialogue is at it's most sublime.

[@randywhite3947]

Sweet Smell of Success and 12 Angry Men might have the two greatest screenplays ever

[@racewiththefalcons1]

Same decade? Hell, they came out the same _year!_ And so did another masterpiece of dialogue, Witness For the Prosecution.

[@tianyangli685]

Please please please don't forget to mention James Wong Howe's Mastery of light to give this outstanding Cinematography.

[@Zeldarw104]

Tianyang Li true! I remember.

[@poetcomic1]

In the forties James Wong Howe invested in a Chinese restaurant and a photographer from a newspaper came out to take a photo of him with his staff on the sidewalk in front. The photographer had trouble getting everyone in the picture and almost got killed stepping back into traffic. Finally J.W.H. said "Why don't you use a wider angle lens?" The man answered "Just leave the photographs to me and you stick to your damned chop suey."

[@nitedreamer23]

"The brains may be Jersey City, but the clothes are Traina-Norell." Fantastic. The rhythm of the dialogue and the pacing of the scenes throughout is a wonder. Classic.

[@terryeggett1]

One of the greatest scenes in movie history. Brilliant beyond words.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I totally agree !

[@Atreus21]

This movie needs to go back to theaters. Not a remake. This movie. To show people what movies ought to be.

[@plasticweapon]

yeah,why not?

[@whyimarko]

i like your sense of conviction. and you are absolutely right.

[@Retrostar619]

Here here!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Amen to that ! Well said & well put ! Who needs a remake when we have the original ! All students of film should see this gem !

[@Blonde_Somnambulist]

Atreus21 first class comment. I agree 👍🏻

[@itgetseasierlessitry]

"Match me, Sydney!": a great line that, like the film, has so many layers to it. Masterpiece.

[@theman2017inc]

that’s the beauty of “subtext”

[@randywhite3947]

What layers does it have?

[@seandafny]

@@arunkeshavadas7171 and also to give him a light

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

These actors at the very top of their game, this writing and direction, it's like a masterclass painting come to life and so much better in black and white, simply wonderful

[@malafakka8530]

Is Lancaster savage in this or what? Love it.

[@0981462]

63 years after, and still the best screenplay ever born in Hollywood. This is a God-level class of screenplay.

[@Zeldarw104]

This is one of my favorite films! "Cat's in the bag and the bag's in the river." ☺ Burt Lancaster is amazing!

[@poetcomic1]

Can you BELIEVE that this totally wickedy delicious film was a FLOP and lost money? That all the performances in it went virtually unnoticed? And look at the crap people showered awards on even at that time?

[@plasticweapon]

it's a crying shame. but at least it found it's audience.

[@randywhite3947]

I mean the bridge over the River Kwai and 12 Angry Men were nominated that year

[@randywhite3947]

But yes this film should have won Best Picture

[@poetcomic1]

@@randywhite3947 Sweet Smell of Success was a 'niche' film when it was made and is still one. Both films you mentioned were quintessentially HOLLYWOOD at its best and deserved Academy Awards as such. Sweet Smell will always have something many Academy winners will never have. They are part of our very culture now.

[@randywhite3947]

@@poetcomic1 your right it’s the national Film Registry and in the Sight and Sound Poll top 250 at number 174 (it might make the top 100 in 2022).

[@jkrycz]

I love this dirty town.

[@poetcomic1]

I did too and I really miss NYC.

[@russellcampbell9198]

It was one of the most hard bitten, cynical films ever made.

[@paulfrantizek102]

I know. I love it.

[@waynej2608]

When he hears that the Hollywood 'doll' is dead, and he responds with, 'that's show business ', says it all. Lancaster was freaking amazing, off the charts. Curtis, too.

[@theman2017inc]

Which makes this film timeless and compelling viewing even after 64 years since this dark “noir-ish” was released

[@PhilBaird1]

Perhaps the finest scene in this classic, where we meet Lancaster as Hunsecker for the first time. Lancaster and Curtis give towering performances in this dark masterpiece, and I think the acting of Curtis in The Sweet Smell of Success was as fine as in anything I've ever seen in the whole of movie history.

[@NickAndTommyFight]

"The quick dependable chap" that concept of one of his faces made me laugh so hard hahaha.

[@kenrice2638]

My all time favorite movie and scene!!!! Matter of fact the scene before this one JJ told Falco "you're dead son get yourself buried" 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣. Who says that? Awesome control and wordplay in this classic!!!!

[@ksdnsdkumar1375]

Poor Sidney

[@rogerkincaid931]

I never thought I could find dialogue so delicious

[@TwistVisuals]

The dialogues just hit like bullets with double meaning. Takes real skill to think up and write these kinds of scenes. And just as much skill to pull off the performance through these dialogues convincingly.

[@krazykrumz3]

What I realized about this scene after rewatching a couple of times is that we initially see J.J. Hunsecker as this heavy-spectacled, omniscient gargantuan who sees quite into the true nature of men, but he is also quite blind to how similar he is to this senator with the corrupt values. J.J. has Sidney tote Suzie around for him (in a way of speaking), and this might explain why J.J. disdains to be seen with Falco in public--"Mack, I don't want this man at my table."

[@saintagil]

Burt Lancaster unlimited ..gosh I like it !

[@InjuriousPersonalities]

Favorite line in the movie - “stop tinkering, pal that horseradish won’t jump a fence” 😂🤣🤣🤣

[@mickeyh1961]

Totally agree with you a great masterpiece with two greats together again.

[@dardobartoli]

I would argue this is the greatest film ever made, and 2 actors in the prime of their box office careers taking on roles counter to their norm but giving possibly their finest performances.

[@n00bfilmmaker85]

No arguement from me. As good as it gets awe-inspiring.

[@filmnobelpreis]

"How to write great dialogue like this scene?" Well, what Odets did, was taking a scene with ideally 3-5 characters from Lehman's script, write the dialogue for one person, then for another etc. A lot of thrown away paper and rewrites, and all of that on set or one day before it was to be filmed.

[@rerite2]

My brother and I love this movie. We bounce the dialogue off each other and other people, who usually remain clueless of the movie: "You're dead, kid. Go get yourself buried." "Why are you happy when I'm not?" "Here's your hat, what's your hurry?" "You're a cookie full of arsenic." "You're just a kid and you're falling apart at the seams." ...and on...

[@racewiththefalcons1]

"Where's your coat, Sydney? Saving tips?"

[@milart12]

" I love this dirty town"

[@rerite2]

@@milart12 -- One of my favorites. Lancaster ("J.J.") watching some guy get roughed up on the sidewalk, and he just loves the carnage.

[@LilannB]

"My right hand hasn't seen my left hand in 30 years"

[@rerite2]

Brutal. Long Live J.J. !@@LilannB

[@nycsp]

IMPECCABLE, EVERYTHING!!!!

[@kensingtondrake8069]

Hollywood movies don't often result in great scenes but when they do; they do it right. This is one of them. The dialogue, the glances, background, the composition, this is pure cinematic (um, what's better than gold?)...I'm Kensington Drake!

[@orchardist6529]

Was Tony Curtis ever better than this limpet character who embellishes the Burt Lancaster wonderful performance. They don't make 'em like this potent film anymore,made during a golden period when film scripts could hold an audience without resorting to excessive gratuative violence.

[@henryraymond8676]

+orchardist65 Yes, but this movie highlights those who destroy in much more subtle ways than violence yet they are violent. They themselves may not set you up or bust you on false charges but they have others do it for them. In either case it is very sinister. I believe however that this film overdoes it in some senses and intentionally an goes to great lengths to dramatize these folks.

[@patrickjones7188]

Arguably, you could say that he was better as The Boston Strangler.

[@orchardist6559]

+Ferdinand Celine An exceptional performance and once again proved how good an actor he was. In the first years his box-office appeal was based mostly on his looks and consequently this earlier image somewhat deflected from the high recognition as a serious actor his talent so richly deserved.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I have a notion to second that emotion ! It's my favorite Tony Curtis performance & I think his best !

[@malafakka8530]

The Boston Strangler has another great performance from him, but I think that this movie is better.

[@vanpelt2321]

Defies description. Even defies superlatives. "There's an allusion here that escapes me." That says it all.

[@hitomi1341]

人を困らせたり、いじめるのは人間のクズ！ いつか報いを受ける。 この映画はそういう意味も示唆していると思う。 BURT LANCASTERの今までにない役柄に挑戦した事は特筆すべきですね。 Thank you so much❢

[@bobpierce115]

I'm going to try and buy this film on DVD on Amazon. I love every clip I've seen; it's sheer brilliance from beginning to end. Just incredible acting combined with amazing (literally) writing. It's also one of the first movies that came out within my lifetime (June '57) when I was a month old. On top of everything else, it's a fascinating trip back to the mid-1900's.

[@henryraymond8676]

+Bob Pierce This is good film however I believe the dialogue goes over the top. With statements like "match me Sidney!" where he demands subservience whereas in reality these kind of people actually say things like "hey, you got a match?" or "Give me a light, would you, Sidney?" where they feign being polite when it is NOT really a request it is much more than that. It is a threat, do this or face my wrath.

[@bobpierce115]

+Henry Raymond You know you're probably right Henry about some of the dialogue being over the top and in reality they would feign being polite for the reasons you mentioned. I'm in complete agreement. I'll "allow it" with a free pass because the film is just such perfection for intelligent, sophisticated people like you and I who love watching the actors facial expressions, body language and so much more, combined with arguably brilliant dialogue. This would be a strictly limited release film if it were made today. Most people today (pardon my language) are too f-----n' stupid for anything but retarded pyrotechnic-laden, CGI crap done for the millionth billionth time at this really, really late date. Talk about recycling; most scenes could be from any of these indistinguishable messes. With very few exceptions, movies are virtually dead as any kind of art form; strictly for a global audience. Unfortunately the same thing applies to music and auto design as well. It's been this way too long now Henry (25+ years) NOT to feel it's going to be like this from here on out, sorry. Being literally the same age of this film I'll be 60 next year, so you're talking nearly half my life. Star Wars was the beginning of the end of the movies, and was the last movie released when I was a teenager just a week before turning 20 in May '77.

[@henryraymond8676]

It's a great piece of Cinema don't get me wrong. The characters are obviously "larger than life" and my understanding is that this was based on Winchell. It's very difficult for a film to do this kind of dark, insidious situation justice. A book would be more appropriate because there is more time to develop the characters and the bizarre circumstances created by wealth, fame, and power. I just think they stretch a bit sometimes to emphasize their points. In real time these things are more subtle. However, no less true. I've seen it. People who have sold their soul to achieve whatever. Very scary!

[@malafakka8530]

So, did you like the movie? I think it is brilliant.

[@randywhite3947]

Henry Raymond oh bullshit the dialogue is far over the top

[@evhvariac2]

As I watch Burt Lancaster I have memories of his dialogues in AIRPORT

[@nickdryad]

Mike Douglas in Falling Down borrowed Burt Lancaster's look from this film I reckon.

[@martinhousemuse]

Tight!

[@robparadise6099]

21 Club - the place to be and be seen!

[@philipbagnall375]

That bastard Hunsecker. Lancaster is pure malevolent brilliance here.

[@jonahfalcon1970]

I love this dirty town. Hell, I've lived in it for over 50 years.

[@dubchile]

Wonderful. Totally rivetting. Natural genius!

[@DinoLondis]

Well put.

[@Megumi_Bandicoot]

Keep your eyes off my sister Marge! Homer: You're dead JJ get yourself buried!

[@emerybayblues]

This movie 🎥 is sooo good!

[@Sangria]

:38 a nuance I just noticed. Ms. Linda James can't take her eyes off Sidney. Her gaze shifts briefly from JJ to him in this moment.

[@BigFellaThx]

My favorite line from this film isn't even spoken by either of the 2 main characters, it's from the guy who confronts Sidney just before he comes into this club and asks him "whaddayou do for that 100 a week? Fall outta bed?"

[@TomBombadil851]

mine is when Steve Dallas wonders if Sydney Falco will go to the dog and cat heaven when he dies

[@poetcomic1]

In real life Burt Lancaster had the coldest ice-blue eyes. Like a malamute as someone said.

[@briankoontz1]

"He's got a half-dozen faces for the ladies" - Curtis was a notorious self-professed Hollywood womanizer, and his real-life personality was not too far from his role here, undoubtedly an aid to his performance. HIs mother was schizophrenic, and her emotional absence and abuse helped shape his personality - just wanting to be liked by any (and seemingly every) young woman he met. In 1950s Hollywood, he was nothing but busy. My favorite lines come from another scene: J.J. "What's this boy got that Susie likes?" Sidney: "Integrity - acute, like indigestion." J.J. "What does that mean - integrity?" Sidney: "A pocket fulla firecrackers - looking for a match!" Sidney: "It's a new wrinkle, to tell the truth... I never thought I'd make a killing on some guy's "integrity" J.J. "I'd hate to take a bite outta you. You're a cookie full of arsenic"

[@thirabx6954]

The best line

[@milart12]

Wasn't JJ Hunsecker based on Walter Winchell?

[@patrickjones7188]

Yes.

[@randywhite3947]

Yes

[@billycharles]

“I love this dirty town”

[@forbiddenknowledgeuncovere9610]

NO SENATOR WOULD BE CAUGHT DEAD IN A PLACE LIKE THAT WITH A GIRL LIKE THAT

[@Atreus21]

These days why not?

[@onlyweknow2]

"Match me Sidney!"

[@randywhite3947]

I don’t understand how Richard Hell ain’t a fan of Burt Lancaster or Tony Curtis like these two are sensational same thing with Dick Cavett how the hell don’t you like Burt Lancaster?

[@winternow2242]

Is that Many Davis being thrown out?

[@jonidabraha979]

This is great stuff, but I can't find the full movie online

[@MrBiginvegas]

look on torrents, it's there. Otherwide buy Criterions DVD worth it with all the extras

[@malafakka8530]

Please buy it if you can. Always support good quality.

[@kennethward4985]

Now we go see a 100 minute movie, 25 minutes of which is Tom Cruise sprinting for his life. Or Keanu killing 99 men every 40 mins.

[@Veldtian1]

The Simpsons S24E01, "My Goons will do a soft shoe on your solar plexus," brought me here.

[@GomaGoesFishing]

Everyone knows Manny Davis, except Mrs Manny Davis. Sorry what does this line mean in context? Does it imply the lady isnt fully aware of her agent's influence?

[@MrBiginvegas]

Perhaps Manny has been fooling around and his wife is unaware of his affairs. Huntsecker knows all the gossip of course.

[@GomaGoesFishing]

Daniel j. Harris that makes so much more sense thank you, can’t believe I didn’t think of that.

[@vinayseth1114]

But what does it mean to tote?

[@MrBiginvegas]

+Vinay Seth to carry or haul someone around.

[@vinayseth1114]

+Daniel j. Harris Oh ok. Thanks!

[@Nirv_99]

Are we kids or what.

[@andrewsumner9600]

Do you believe in capital punishment A man has been sentenced to death.

[@brigham2250]

I watched this movie for the first time tonight and would rate it perhaps 3.5 out of five stars. It's funny, because most of the clips I watch, I like a lot. But the problem with the movie as a whole for me is that there was nothing particularly gripping about whether or not Susie Hunsecker and Steve Dallas succeeded in their relationship or not. It just didn't seem like high enough stakes to put the movie over the top. I do think that Lancaster and Curtis were outstanding, but the relationship plot was a drawback, especially because to me those were secondary characters. I just never felt emotionally invested in what happened with them. Still, I did like the movie and can see myself watching it again. Some greater intrigue would have put this one over the top.

[@henryraymond8676]

+brigham2250 It depends upon what you like. This is not a particular favorite of mine either. But with that said. This movie is more about the power, the control, and the egomaniac ability of some powerful people to both corrupt and manipulate those around them and bend them to their own will. Whether it is his sister who lacks the security to "buck" Hunsecker and fears his ability to destroy others without a hint of guilt about it, or Falcon who caters to Hunsecker for professional reasons. J.J. is willing to ruin anyone who threatens his position, like the sisters boyfriend, or the Senator who questions his vile, sort of, ethics. This movie exposes the underbelly of the rich, powerful folks who hold sway over our world telling us, often lies which suit their own purposes. It highlights the corruption, deception, and evil of people who use their power to inflict pain on others and give no quarter to those who might question their position or morals. These people BTW do exist and they are total hypocrites but nevertheless people are afraid of them. Major media people and authors fit this category when they moralize about others and their bias, racism, scandal, or tawdry affairs yet they themselves engage in manipulative, smear campaigns reporting over and over an incident to highlight their self serving views. Scandal, lies, cheating are their "bread and butter" that sell stories but they often twist the truth or only report "part" of the story.

[@sdkelmaruecan2907]

The film is a Machiavellian chess game, not to say that there's much to care about the game, but it's about the two chess players: JJ and Falco. Sidney and Susie are only pawns, we're not supposed to care for them, it's not their triumph at the end that counts but the demise of Falco... and JJ to a lesser extent.

[@rogerlegends166]

Or , you might say that it's a study in Hubris and Nemesis . The Susie- Steve relationship is incidental to the real power struggles in the film .

[@user-db6pt7vr3l]

The plot is joke. The idea that some Rona Barrett wannabe has that much power over these people is hilarious.

[@MrBiginvegas]

Then you have never heard of Walter Winchell that J.J was based on.

[@user-db6pt7vr3l]

@@MrBiginvegas He did not have the power as depicted in this film. It's way over the top.

[@darkstarwarlord517]

All I'm getting here is a clip where is the promised FULL MOVIE sucks

[@markwoldin162]

This is much too intense. The directing is overcooked.

[@randywhite3947]

Bullshit everything about this scene is perfect and how is the directing overcooked?

[@markwoldin162]

@@randywhite3947 Yes, overcooked. I agree with you.

[@randywhite3947]

Mark Woldin gtfoh your just making up shit overcooked 🤣 😝 and how exactly is that?

[@markwoldin162]

@@randywhite3947 Randy, when you're right you're right. It's definitely overcooked.

[@randywhite3947]

Mark Woldin explain why please?

[@Manuel-ix9my]

I love this dirty town.