# The Sting (1973), 50 years later; movies that’ve held up well **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [March 19, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359 "2023-03-19T14:47:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/81 "2023-03-20T18:48:18Z")
FWIW the use of “place” to bamboozle the mark and make them think it was at least partly their fault they lost all their money is taken directly from Maurer’s The Big Con (like so much else if the movie as referenced up thread by @DPRK). Maurer was a linguistics professor who started studying the argot of con men but got enough material from them to write the book. So this is straight from the horse’s mouth stuff. Albeit the horse is a con artist. In any case, the book is well worth your time. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/82 "2023-03-20T18:55:24Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > The impact of Paul’s baby blues had not diminished over the intervening years. I noticed that too, especially in the scene where he responds gruffly to Redford’s character, saying something like, “_Don’t give me your lip, kid!_” Doyle Lonnegan and his men are observing both, and he says it as part of the con. It’s like his eyes light up in that brief scene. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/83 "2023-03-20T19:17:19Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Thanks, they are pretty good points, I think I just choose to put my fingers in my ears and ignore them when I’m watching it because it is just so damn entertaining!! Me too, and that worked for _Top Gun: Maverick_ as well. It’s Hollywood, not a documentary, and so I give some leeway and roll with it. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/84 "2023-03-20T20:59:38Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Thanks, they are pretty good points, I think I just choose to put my fingers in my ears and ignore them when I’m watching it because it is just so damn entertaining!! Not a plot hole per se, but Ray Walston’s intelligence gathering borders on psychic powers. He not only found out that Linneman cheats at cards, but he knows what brand of deck will be used, and he knows that Langerhans cheats by forcing a 4 of a Kind on his opponent while giving himself a better set of 4. Which is also risky. Gondorff pulled 4 jacks from out of his sleeve. If Lonagan’s 5th card happened to have also been a jack (or any of the cards he had discarded) …the jig is up. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/85 "2023-03-20T21:27:22Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Ray Walston’s intelligence gathering borders on psychic powers. Yeah, but he can’t paint an office for shit. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ga7fRfl2Ayk/hqdefault.jpg "Painting the Office - The Sting (1973)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga7fRfl2Ayk) This is probably the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in a movie. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/86 "2023-03-20T22:19:58Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I think the original “Terminator” movie has not only held up well but has become even more relevant because we are moving towards AI controlled warfare. Back in 1984, it was wild SciFi, but now it seems almost inevitable. Terminator 2 holds up completely. I think the first one does, too, but there are some sequences in T2 that are better than things we see today. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/87 "2023-03-20T22:36:58Z")
My entry is “ **All the President’s Men** ”. I try to watch it every year or so. I just watched it a few weeks ago and I could sit through it again with rapt attention right this minute. mmm ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/88 "2023-03-21T06:27:07Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Okay. > > 1. They find Luther like, the same day. Whack him. That’s okay. He was well known. But they can’t seem to identify Hooker because he was the new kid. But they somehow manage to find out where he lives, and lay in wait for him. But they still can’t connect him with a name or face, especially since he’s actively dealing with Lonigan? That’s just silly. > 2. Everything about the Hit Woman. She presumably is able to figure out who her target is, but never bothers to relay this info to anyone? Instead, comes to town, rents a room and gets a job in a diner in hopes of somehow trapping Hooker somehow after god knows how long. Then, her big play is to shoot him in an ally? She coulda done that on Day One of hitting the city limits. That whole sub-plot or whatever you call it is just ridiculous I’m with you on point 2, and I would include the black gloved bodyguard. None of their actions make sense without knowing more about Hookers plans and schedule than they possibly can. Point 1 I’m not so sure. They’re in a different town, there’s no reason for Lonnegan to share anything about the Shaw operation with his day to day operators. The hit team traced him from Joliet to Chicago and lost him after that, maybe they’ve got a name and a generic description, Chicago’s a big town with lots of transients. I think the bigger plot hole is that Lonnegan doesn’t research Shaw’s operation, doesn’t check with any of his underworld connections that Shaw is a legitimate booky. Side question, in the opening sequence, at Luther’s appt, his wife mentions the **Up and Down Broadway** was her and Luther’s best gig, they didn’t make a lot at it, but it wasn’t so touchy. Anybody know what this con is? I can’t find it online. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/89 "2023-03-24T06:14:17Z")
**Bull Durham** occurs to me a candidate. True it’s only 35 years old, but it’s still funny, touching, and wise. I also feel like the sexuality holds up pretty well, there’s some raunchiness, but agency and consent are respected. At least it seems that way to me, I’m open to being challenged on that last bit. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/90 "2023-03-24T18:38:22Z")
“Hells Angels” was released in 1930. I saw it at the Strand theater in Alameda CA in 1947. That was only 17 years after release and we considered it an old movie even then. The Strand had a sign painted on the outside wall: Strand Theater Talking Pictures At age 90+ “Hells Angels” is still a great movie if you see a good quality copy. The bomber sequence is unique. There are detailed shots of operating a WW1 era open cockpit bomber. They really blow up a bunch of farm buildings. No special effects. ---
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/91 "2023-03-27T00:43:12Z")
One I saw recently and feel it still holds up rather well is **The Gumball Rally** (1976). It has some moments that are definitely dated, but the sounds of the cars, and the overall feel of it is still fun to watch today. While not a classic in the same way that The Sting is, which I also like, it is something that I have to trouble watching nor sharing with younger friends and family. `//i\\` ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/92 "2023-03-27T01:06:00Z")
Good call! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/93 "2023-03-27T01:22:22Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Also honorable mention for “The Godfather” half a century old and still eminently watchable. I just watched it yesterday for the first time in about 24 years and I have to admit, “Yep, that’s a gripping and very good movie.” Holds up completely. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/94 "2023-03-27T03:26:28Z")
> [@icon](#): > > One I saw recently and feel it still holds up rather well is **The Gumball Rally** (1976). It has some moments that are definitely dated, but the sounds of the cars, and the overall feel of it is still fun to watch today. While not a classic in the same way that The Sting is, which I also like, it is something that I have to trouble watching nor sharing with younger friends and family. > > `//i\\` One of my favorites from those times. I haven’t seen it in years. Perhaps it’s time. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/95 "2023-03-27T04:01:17Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > One of my favorites from those times. I haven’t seen it in years. Perhaps it’s time. I’m thinking the same. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/96 "2023-03-27T13:01:39Z")
> Whatsa behinda me isa _not_ important! I _love_ that line. So much panache as he tosses the rear-view mirror over his shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/97 "2023-03-27T13:10:35Z")
Me too. I’ll quote it from time to time. Raúl Juliá (RIP) as that Italian driver, he was perfectly cast in that role. Besides that, I love his Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona cabriolet. One of my favorite cars. Another line from that movie that I like (although I’ll never quote it!): “If you can catch me, you can have me.” (and I love her car too, the 911 turbo cabriolet) [https://is.gd/wkkkfI](https://is.gd/wkkkfI) ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/98 "2023-03-28T20:48:19Z")
The part I liked was the two women drivers who would show some cleavage when they were pulled over and get out of the ticket – until they got to Arizona and the DPS officer was also a woman. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/99 "2023-03-28T20:55:42Z")
The funny thing is most of the ordinary women at the mall today are showing more cleavage than those babes bribed the cops with in the '70s. Those were _professionally_ cute cleavages, but in terms of shear volume and headcount, we’re totally living in a Golden Age right now. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359/100 "2023-03-28T21:11:04Z")
Another from the Gumball Rally: The scene where the cops are set up on an overpass with a radar gun. Roscoe, the detective who has been chasing the racers since New York City is sure he’s got them now–they’ll go blasting down the highway, as they’ve done since then. But no, they’ve been tipped off somehow, and drive nicely and sedately down the road, even waving at Roscoe and the cops. “Fifty-five miles an hour, Roscoe,” says the cop with the radar gun. Roscoe looks up into the sky. The camera shows a cloudy sky. “Why me, God,” he asks. “Why me?” “'Cause you’re an asshole, Roscoe.” Roscoe looks confused–was God really calling him an asshole? No it was just another cop. One of my favourite scenes in the movie, and it makes me laugh every time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359.md?page=6)