Two things here:
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They wanted to avenge Luther’s death
They believed Henry Gondorf could pull off this scam, meaning everyone would share in the proceeds.
I never realized he was the father!
Kid Twist: Now how do you want to work this? Flat rate or percentage?
Benny: Who’s the mark?
Twist: Doyle Lonnegan.
Benny: Flat rate!
The Sting takes inspiration from a book called “The Big Con” from the 1940s, which in turn was based of stories of Con artists from the 20s and thirties. The delayed wire fraud is an old con, as is mentioned in the movie, and the “police raid” is the classic way to end it and prevent the mark from asking questions or seeking restitution. According to the book, the entire apparatus- bogus betting parlor, bystanders, and fake cops were all preexisting and available for rent!
Supposedly, the gangster mark was based off of
As soon as Benny heard who the mark was he decided he was going to charge a flat rate for providing the set up, rather than take a percentage of the take. From the look on his face I presumed that he either had his doubts as to whether they’d be able to pull off the con or that Lonnegan would come down on them afterwards.
The big con of calling horse races based on text from the wire was a real thing. Well, without the fraud. 
Ronald Reagan entertained radio listeners by recreating baseball games. The technology to broadcast live across the US didn’t exist.
In the MAD magazine satire, the Chicago cop comes to Billie’s place looking for Hooker.
She tells him he’ll be in later. “Why not spend the time making love to one of my girls?”
The cop indignantly replies, “I am a CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER!”
Billie shrugs. “Oh. Well, in that case, why not spend the time BEATING UP one of my girls?”
(A reference to the 1968 Democratic convention).
It’s called a “race book.” They exist today, perfectly legally and played straight, only they tend to be called “off-track betting.” I still call my local one a race book though.
I understand and agree with all the replies so far, but my question remains: Yes, all the “players” were happy to volunteer (and share in the eventual jackpot), but they didn’t have Lonnegan’s money yet. Where did the funds come from to construct/furnish the elaborate betting establishment? Is there something obvious I’m missing?
Again, it’s a wonderful, even “perfect” film, and my nitpick has never affected my appreciation and enjoyment.
It is a highly entertaining film, but I’ve identified several plot holes so big you could drive that train through them that have somewhat knocked it down a peg or two for me.
I really love the part where Kid Twist pulls the Western Union con, and the guy comes back from lunch to a half-painted office. Pretty convenient that the place had a back door into an alley. But still a fun scene.
I stumbled across part of the movie a couple of months ago, drawn in by the chance to see Redford and Newman—both of whom I truly admire. But I gave up watching not long after Redford got into the car; I felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of clichés and conventions. Lately, I’ve found it hard or impossible to enjoy anything that doesn’t feel natural or authentic.
It was the $15,000 Gondorf posing as Shaw, ‘won’ from Lonnegan in the train poker game, close to $350,000 today which will rent a lot of stuff.
As I read this I envisioned the scene from the movie Seabiscuit where William H. Macy played a broadcaster doing the same thing, calling horse races from text coming over the wire. Seabiscuit raced in the mid- to late-1930s.
Those who feel this way about the movie may enjoy the (non-fiction) book!
This is easily in my top 3 of films.
Anyone who wants to understand how it worked beyond what was included in the film really ought to pick up that book mentioned by others: The Big Con… not only does it explain “The Wire” in detail, but it goes into great detail on many other kinds of con games.
One concept that it covers is “The Big Store,” which is what they call a place like Shaw/Gondorf’'s fake betting parlor constructed for a special mark.
Other parts of the story click as well, with the role of a “roper” and “the hook” and other things that show up on the chapter title cards.
I always figured that the FBI thing was totally done with Hooker’s knowledge, and that was done to handle Schneider. This is a complicated and carefully orchestrated show with everyone knowing their parts. The only reason it appears to be a surprise to Hooker is for the benefit of the movie audience.
I can’t imagine watching this movie at the theater when it was released and understanding what happened. Kind of like “All of the President’s Men”, a movie that needs a few viewings to answer lingering questions.
What were some examples that stood out to you?
What are some examples of these? Was it a case of tired old clichés from the era or (sometimes a cool thing) the film was fresh and the cliché became overused later on?
That’s an interesting take, but I don’t really agree with it. Hooker was acting for the benefit of the crooked cop, but it’s also for the benefit of the audience. We’re not supposed to know about the double bluff until the last scene.
I think that if Gondorf was just testing Hooker, then Hooker failed the test and Gondorf would have aborted the whole grift.
Thank you! I am now appeased.
You shouldn’t be. If you remember, they return Lonnegan’s money to him with the first ‘test’ bet. Which, if you think about it, they would pretty much have to do with any mark to keep them on the hook.
OTOH, they didn’t just take Lonnegan’s money, all the other chumps at the card game lost money to Shaw as well.
I give up. Time for me to shut up and just enjoy the movie. But by the way, I got curious and learned that Lonnegan’s climactic $500k bet would be equivalent to $11 million today.
Okay. The conning of a bag-man. Seems improbable. But I can let that slide. He was a unreliable drunk.
But they (Lonnigan’s gang) pegged Luther and had him whacked within a very short time. Okay, Hooker was a new kid in town, so maybe they didn’t know about him…. BUT…
Lonnigan’s men were literally inside his apartment lying in wait, so they had to have found out who he was… and Lonnigan dropped him off in front of the building after driving him home from the train. Shootout in the streets ensues, Lonnigan gets pissed about shooting up the city… but can’t put 1 + 1 together and figure out Hooker is the guy in with Luther on the original scam?? Lonnigan even complains about the shootout. Hell, he couldn’t have been but a couple blocks away. I guess that is why he was pissed. But c’mon! His men were in Hooker’s apartment! How did this get overlooked???
The whole “Lady Assassin” thing. Ridiculous! She gets herself hired in a diner (lets bypass the logistics of this), lures Hooker into her web, and never once connects that this is the guy into the Big Con against Lonnigan? That is some poor interdepartmental communication there.
Hey, its still a fun watch if you don’t pay too much attention to the Macro Details.