Daily Archives: September 25, 2011

‘The Hustler’ premieres in Washington 50 years ago today

(Monday, September 25, 1961)The Hustler, a drama film directed by Robert Rossen and starring Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie and George C. Scott, premiered today in Washington, D.C.

It tells the story of small-time pool hustler “Fast Eddie” Felson and his desire to prove himself the best player in the country by beating legendary pool player “Minnesota Fats.”

‘Chariots of Fire’ premieres in U.S. 30 years ago today

(Friday, September 25, 1981)Chariots of Fire, a British film that tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice, premiered in the U.S. today at the New York Film Festival, six months after opening in Britain.