October 07, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dawn Newell - (310) 247-3000
                        dnewell@oscars.org

CONTACT: Harvey Bolgla - (212) 388-1400
                        hbolgla@dba-pr.com

CONTACT: Sara Trujillo - (212) 388-1400
                        strujillo@dba-pr.com

	The 1961 Academy Award®-winning drama "The Hustler" starred Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson.

New York, NY — The 1961 Academy Award^®-winning drama "The Hustler" breaks onto a New York big screen Monday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International in Manhattan. A newly-restored print of the film will be presented as the next installment in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' new monthly screening series "Monday Nights with Oscar."

"The Hustler" starred Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson, a small-time pool hustler who challenges the legendary Minnesota Fats, played by Jackie Gleason. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won two for Art Direction (Black-and-White) and Cinematography (Black-and-White).

Newman earned his second Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance in the film, while Gleason garnered his only Oscar nomination for his supporting role. Both George C. Scott and Piper Laurie received nominations, in the Supporting Actor and Best Actress categories, respectively. Additional Academy Award nominations included Writing (Screenplay – based on material from another medium), Directing and Best Picture.

Footage from the 34th Academy Awards telecast, which honored films of 1961, will precede the screening, as will the Oscar-winning Cartoon Short subject of 1961, "Ersatz (The Substitute)."

The restored print of "The Hustler" comes to the screen as the second feature in the monthly "Monday Nights with Oscar" series. The restoration of this film was completed by 20th Century Fox in cooperation with the Academy Film Archive. The film screened at Academy headquarters in Beverly Hills in June 2002.

Tickets for the screening are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid I.D. To purchase tickets by mail, send a check or money order payable to the Academy Foundation, P.O. Box 118, 236 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10002-1401. All orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets also may be reserved over the phone by calling 888-778-7575. Pending availability, tickets may be purchased in person the night of the screening when the doors open at 7:00 p.m. The Academy Theater at Lighthouse International is located at 111 East 59th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. For additional information about the screening series, a schedule of upcoming films or to sign up for the Academy Foundation mailing list, please visit the Academy's website at www.oscars.org.