1957
Publicist Sidney Falco schemes to separate J.J. Hunsecker's sister, Susan, from her jazz musician boyfriend, Steve Dallas, to gain favor with the powerful columnist. Sidney orchestrates a smear campaign against Steve and, under J.J.'s further pressure, plants drugs on him, leading to Steve's arrest and Susan's suicide attempt. To protect his image, J.J. frames Sidney for the drug planting, resulting in Sidney being brutally beaten by a corrupt detective. Susan, finally free from her brother's control, leaves J.J. and walks out onto Broadway.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Ambitious press agent Sidney Falco maneuvers through New York’s nightlife seeking power and status under the thumb of media king J.J.
Open full beat sheetSidney Falco is listed as Publicity Agent. Ambitious, manipulative, and desperate for success in the Broadway scene. In the parsed data, Sidney Falco is connected to 37 scenes, 102 dialogue lines, 106 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
37 scenes / 102 dialogue linesSusan Hunsecker is listed as J.J. Hunsecker's sister. Sensitive, tragic, and emotionally stifled by her brother. In the parsed data, Susan Hunsecker is connected to 19 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
19 scenes / 19 dialogue linesJ.J. Hunsecker is listed as Columnist. Powerful, cold, and controlling gossip columnist with a god complex. In the parsed data, J.J. Hunsecker is connected to 16 scenes, 68 dialogue lines, 69 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
16 scenes / 68 dialogue linesFrank D'Angelo is listed as Band Manager. Pragmatic and protective of his musicians. In the parsed data, Frank D'Angelo is connected to 11 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
11 scenes / 4 dialogue linesSteve Dallas is listed as Jazz Musician. Intelligent, principled, and in love with Susan. In the parsed data, Steve Dallas is connected to 10 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
10 scenes / 15 dialogue linesHarry Kello is listed as Police Detective. Corrupt, dangerous, and brutal. In the parsed data, Harry Kello is connected to 7 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
7 scenes / 16 dialogue linesOtis Elwell is listed as Columnist. Malicious and opportunistic rival columnist. In the parsed data, Otis Elwell is connected to 3 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
3 scenes / 21 dialogue linesRita is listed as Cigarette Girl. Manipulative and seeking career advancement. In the parsed data, Rita is connected to 3 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
3 scenes / 18 dialogue linesSally is listed as Sidney's Secretary. Loyal, sympathetic, and long-suffering. In the parsed data, Sally is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesLeo Bartha is listed as Columnist. Professional rival of Hunsecker. In the parsed data, Leo Bartha is connected to 1 scene, 13 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
1 scenes / 13 dialogue linesNewspaper trucks are loaded and depart for distribution.
Sidney Falco waits for the newspaper delivery at an orange juice stand.
Sidney FalcoSidney returns to his office and deals with professional frustrations.
Sidney Falco, SallyJoe Robard takes a call from Sidney.
Sidney FalcoSidney visits the club and confronts Frank D'Angelo about Steve Dallas and Susan Hunsecker.
Sidney Falco, Steve Dallas, Frank D'Angelo, RitaSteve and Susan meet in the courtyard.
Sidney Falco, Susan Hunsecker, Steve Dallas, Frank D'AngeloSteve talks to D'Angelo about his proposal to Susan and his concerns about her dependency on her brother.
Steve Dallas, Frank D'AngeloSidney joins Susan outside the club; they discuss their relationship and Susan's feelings for Steve.
Sidney Falco, Susan HunseckerSidney and Susan discuss Steve and J.J. Hunsecker during a taxi ride.
Sidney Falco, Susan HunseckerSusan leaves the taxi and enters a building; Sidney follows her briefly before returning to his cab.
Sidney Falco, Susan HunseckerSidney is confronted by Jimmy Weldon outside the club.
Sidney FalcoSidney attempts to speak with J.J. Hunsecker, who is dining with a Senator and others.
Sidney Falco, J.J. HunseckerJ.J. leaves the club and meets with Lieutenant Kello.
Sidney Falco, J.J. Hunsecker, Harry KelloHunsecker and Sidney discuss the death of a girl with Detective Kello, then Hunsecker pressures Sidney to break up the romance between Susan and Steve.
Sidney Falco, J.J. Hunsecker, Harry KelloSidney attempts to blackmail Leo Bartha, fails, and then manipulates Otis Elwell into printing a smear item about Steve Dallas.
Sidney Falco, Otis Elwell, Leo BarthaSidney forces Rita to entertain Otis Elwell to secure his favor.
Sidney Falco, Otis Elwell, RitaSidney, Elwell, and Rita are in the office. Sidney leaves after a tense interaction, and Rita reveals to Elwell that she and Sidney met in Palm Springs.
Sidney Falco, Otis Elwell, RitaSidney leaves his apartment feeling pleased.
Sidney FalcoSidney calls J.J. Hunsecker from a payphone to discuss the smear campaign against Steve Dallas.
Sidney Falco, J.J. HunseckerJ.J. Hunsecker takes Sidney's call and then watches his sister Susan from the terrace.
J.J. Hunsecker, Susan HunseckerSidney buys a newspaper and enters the Globe building.
Sidney FalcoSidney visits Mary, Hunsecker's secretary, and checks the column proof.
Sidney Falco, J.J. HunseckerSidney forces his way into the Palace Theatre to meet Herbie Temple.
Sidney FalcoSidney manipulates Herbie Temple and his agent Al Evans into accepting his publicity services.
Sidney FalcoSteve Dallas and Frank D'Angelo confront Sidney about the smear in Elwell's column.
Sidney Falco, Steve Dallas, Frank D'Angelo, SallySidney and Hunsecker discuss the smear campaign over the phone; Sidney remains confident while Hunsecker is tense about Susan.
Sidney Falco, J.J. Hunsecker, Susan HunseckerSidney prepares to leave, feeling smug and superior to Hunsecker.
Sidney Falco, SallySusan buys a paper and heads to the elevator.
Susan HunseckerHunsecker confronts Susan about the smear and their relationship.
J.J. Hunsecker, Susan HunseckerSusan and Sidney arrive at the TV theatre separately.
Susan Hunsecker, Sidney FalcoHunsecker rehearses his show while Sidney and the others arrive.
J.J. Hunsecker, Sidney Falco, Steve Dallas, Frank D'Angelo, Susan HunseckerSidney follows Susan out of the theatre, attempting to drive her home as instructed by J.J. Hunsecker. Susan rejects him, and in the ensuing struggle at the taxi, Sidney is injured.
Sidney Falco, Susan HunseckerSidney and Hunsecker wash up. Hunsecker pressures Sidney to take action against Steve Dallas, eventually offering him the column as a reward.
Sidney Falco, J.J. HunseckerHunsecker and Sidney dine. Hunsecker manipulates Sidney into agreeing to frame Steve Dallas using Detective Kello, promising Sidney his column in exchange.
Sidney Falco, J.J. HunseckerSteve Dallas meets Susan to discuss their relationship. They realize they must break up due to the pressure from Hunsecker.
Susan Hunsecker, Steve Dallas, Frank D'AngeloSteve and D'Angelo leave the building. Steve is deeply pained by the breakup.
Steve Dallas, Frank D'AngeloSusan returns home, enters the dark apartment, and steps out onto the terrace, looking down at the city.
Susan HunseckerSidney arrives at the club to frame Steve. He plants evidence in Steve's coat while D'Angelo informs him that Steve and Susan have broken up.
Sidney Falco, Steve Dallas, Frank D'Angelo, Harry KelloSidney and Kello argue on the street while Kello intimidates Sidney.
Sidney Falco, Harry KelloSteve finishes his set and is approached by D'Angelo.
Steve Dallas, Frank D'AngeloSteve is intercepted and arrested by Kello and Murphy.
Steve Dallas, Harry KelloSidney waits in a bar, listening for news.
Sidney FalcoD'Angelo and Robard realize Steve has been arrested.
Frank D'AngeloD'Angelo informs Susan about Steve's arrest.
Susan Hunsecker, Frank D'AngeloSidney confronts Susan in the penthouse.
Sidney Falco, Susan Hunsecker, J.J. HunseckerHunsecker manipulates Susan into agreeing to sacrifice Sidney to clear Steve Dallas, then calls Lieutenant Kello to set a trap for Sidney.
J.J. Hunsecker, Susan Hunsecker, Sidney FalcoSidney urges Susan to leave her brother and go to Steve Dallas.
Susan Hunsecker, Sidney FalcoHunsecker confirms the trap for Sidney with Kello while Sidney watches.
J.J. Hunsecker, Sidney FalcoKello receives the call from Hunsecker and prepares to intercept Sidney.
Harry KelloHunsecker tries to act normal with Susan, but she prepares to leave.
J.J. Hunsecker, Susan HunseckerKello and his partner intercept and brutally beat Sidney.
Harry Kello, Sidney FalcoHunsecker discovers Susan has left the apartment.
J.J. HunseckerSusan walks out onto Broadway, free from her brother.
Susan HunseckerYour friend Hunsecker - you can tell him for me - he's a disgrace to his profession. Never mind my bilious private life - I print a decent, responsible column - that's the way it stays! Your man - there's nothing he won't print if it satisfies his vanity or his spite! He'll use any spice to pepper up his daily garbage! Tell him I said so and that, like yourself, he's got the morals of a guinea pig and the scruples of a gangster!
Dallas, your mouth is as big as a basket and twice as empty! I don't like you, comma, but neither do I go along with this column saying you smoke marijuana and belong with the Reds. Also, since we're talking repulsive, J.J. won't like this for two cents! Don't give me that look, Dallas - J.J. believes in fair play. And secondly, this could splatter his sister with rotten egg by implication - your her boyfriend!
Why? Because I don't like the way you toy with human lives? - Your contempt and malice? Because I won't be the accomplice of your sick ego - and the way it's crippled Susie...? You think of yourself - you and your column - you see yourself as a national glory...but to me, and thousands of others like me, you and your slimy scandal, your phony patriotics - to me, Mr. Hunsecker, you are a national disgrace!
Mind you, not that one true fact didn't come out of Sidney's mouth tonight: self-admittedly, he committed a vicious crime of jealousy against Steve Dallas! Now we have to clear Dallas, don't we?...But I'll have to sacrifice him... to do it. Am I doing right?
He never would have killed himself if I hadn't gone through with the annulment. Don't you see that made all the rumors seem true? I should have stood up for him...not run out.
J.J...Sidney!...How are you, sweetheart? Listen, I know it's late, J.J., but is it too late to add something important to the column? No, not a relative, but important...
It would be nice if you mentioned R-O-B-A-R-D - Robard's jazz joint -- it's his 20th anniversary. Don't begrudge it to me, J.J. - I owe him lots of favors.
I'll do it, J.J. - don't get me wrong - in for a penny, in for a pound. I'll see it through, but stop beating me around the head. Let me make a living!
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