The Flim-Flam Man - Irvin Kershner - (1967) DVD

A young man meets the Legendary "Flim flam man" and begins a Huck Finn-like trip with him learning how to run the small con as he develops a relationship with the older man. As the police close in, he has to decide where he will take the rest of his life.

This is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. It has all the elements of human nature; humor, greed, honor, love, trust, friendship, hate and loyalty. I laugh by butt off every time I watch this movie. Both the acting and music are simple yet superb and the casting couldn't be better. Even when I'm laughing I can't help but feeling a little sad knowing the basic underlying theme is so true.

The cast, topped by George C. Scott, clearly enjoying himself in a bravura performance, includes Harry Morgan, Albert Salmi, Alice Ghostley, Slim Pickens...wow! What a roster!...and the lovely Sue Lyon. Michael Sarrazin acquits himself quite well, despite the formidable presence of Mr. Scott at full Thespic throttle, and Jerry Goldsmith's music underscores the proceedings quite skillfully, including his use of a harmonica. As an enthusiast for Detroit products of the past,  the merciless destruction of that bright red Plymouth convertible as it careens through a town left devastated in its wake. That particular sequence packed more eye-popping excitement than all of the more recent destruction derbies in the many so-called action movies in the decades since.


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