The considerable skills of Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason allow this pool-hall drama to rise above the "sports movie" genre and enter more hallowed territory. Piper Laurie and George C. Scott are also cast, and along with Newman and Gleason were nominated for Academy Awards in 1962. None of the actors won, but at least Eugen Schufftan took home a well-deserved Oscar for black-and-white cinematography.

Harold Check