The Hustler (1961, Robert Rossen)

I was this old when I found out pool and billiards are different games. The heck are you supposed to do on a billiard table with no pockets? Paul Newman doesn’t know either – he’s a pool guy, traveling with older partner Charlie (of an Andy Griffith war comedy), drinking heavily and winning games against suckers, until he goes broke trying to defeat poolmaster Jackie Gleason, gets his thumbs busted by some guys he ripped off, and lays low with his new drunk gal Piper Laurie for a while. Paul and Piper in bad times: and worse times: Of course Newman’s goal is to get back on his feet and take down Gleason, now with moneyman George C. Scott on his side (same week I watched Anatomy, Scott keeps stealing movies). Piper (Carrie’s mom and sawmill boss of Twin Peaks) is washed up and worn out, enjoys(?) her Newman fling before drinking herself to death after their latest success. On the outs with the moneyman, Newman wins his big match, and maybe can’t set foot in a pool hall again, we’ll…