MovieChat Forums > The Sting (1973) Discussion > Those after Hooker (possible spoilers)

Those after Hooker (possible spoilers)

posted 8 years ago by zensixties
1 reply | jump to latest

I've seen this film many times, and never quite got certain parts of the convoluted plot. 1st Doyle Lonnegan has Luther killed and puts a contract out on his partner. So the hitmen know exactly who that partner is while Doyle is doing business with him?

2nd aspect is that detective who keeps showing up to beat up everyone. Had no real idea what his real role was. Can anyone clearly explain these things?

Another aspect of this is, is it just me or were there a much wider range of beautiful actresses to choose from for the parts in this film. Those they chose are good actors, but no Rachel Welch's. Is that intentional? I mean they are acting opposite Redford and Newman after all.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of Hollywood... (;-p)

[–] Thirdover4 8 years ago

The hitman knows who Hooker is but not the guy he is pretending to be. There is a disconnect between the guy the hitman is chasing and the guy Lonigan is doing business with. As far as he knows, they are two separate, unconnected people. Whenever the hitman tries to kill him, Hooker is in his street clothes and living in a flop house. He also never gets a good look at him. When Hooker is pretending to be the other guy he is dressed the part and acts the part.

The cop is relentlessly trying to catch hooker in connection with previous crimes and, I believe, in connection with the death of Luther. Because he has inserted himself into the situation in a way that threatens the whole operation, they expand the con to include the FBI to keep the cop at bay until the con is over. He even unwittingly plays a part in the scam by whisking Lonnegan out of the room to avoid the inevitable scandal that would ensue if the FBI sting had been real.

All the pretty actresses were booked at the time.