The Sting

A person sitting down, wearing a patterned vest over a shirt and tie. There are partial views of other individuals on either side of the central figure, suggesting a group setting or gathering.

The con is on! Winning an incredible, seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, The Sting features actor Robert Redford as small-time conman Johnny Hooker. After his partner is murdered, Hooker tracks down the retired con artist Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to help him avenge the death. The two make a dynamic pair of fast-talking, quick-witted con men that seek revenge against the ruthless crime boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hoping to bilk him out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, they concoct a series of elaborate schemes that work towards “the big con.”

The film is choc-full of remarkable menswear worn, designed by Edith Head and by many of the leading actors of the day. In addition to Best Picture and Best Director, the film earned numerous Academy Awards in creative categories, including Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction, Best Set Decoration, Best Film Editing, and Best Music.

In his review, film critic Roger Ebert notes “It's good to get a crime movie more concerned with humor and character than with blood and gore; here's one, as we say, for the whole family.”

The Sting screens as part of our "Costumes by Edith Head" series. Courtesy of Universal Pictures and Swank Motion Pictures.