One-Shot Wednesday
On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot.
The Sting
This high-angle shot—of a man who’s been shot right through his fancy tuxedo—falls at the end of The Sting. In this 1973 caper movie, shot partially in Chicago, Paul Newman (pictured here) and Robert Redford play con artists.
At the film’s end, the two successfully pull off an elaborate con. They fake their gunshots and wounds. In the process, they deceive their target (Robert Shaw) out of a significant amount of money.
Production in Chicago lasted only about a week. Most of The Sting was filmed in studios in Los Angeles.
Being con artists, the two characters must constantly watch their backs. During the shoot, that fiction bled over to reality, for Redford at least: he was placed under police protection during production because of threats on his life. The threats originated in LA. But police took no chances in Chicago—in case the threatener followed Redford there (Tampa Times, April 14, 1973).
The Sting was nominated for 10 Oscars and won 7: best picture, director, original screenplay, editing, costume design, production design and original score.
Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday!
Think you’re a Chicago screen buff?
On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title!
You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling.