Movies and Series

Walter Tevis had four of his books adapted for the screen. The Hustler, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and The Color of Money were all turned into films. The Queens Gambit was adapted into a 7 episode mini-series on Netflix

 

The Hustler

Paul Newman heads a superb cast featuring Jackie Gleason, George C. Scott and Piper Laurie in the riveting film that received an Academy Award® nomination as Best Picture of 1961 and brought all four of its Oscar® nominations. Newman (Best Actor nominee) is electrifying as "Fast" Eddie Felson, an arrogant, amoral hustler who haunts backstreet pool rooms fleecing anyone who'll pick up a cue. Determined to be acclaimed as the best, Eddie seeks out the legendary Minnesota Fats (Gleason, Supporting Actor nominee), who's backed by Bert Gordon (Scott, Supporting Actor nominee), a predatory gambler. Eddie can beat the champ, but virtually defeats himself with his low self-image. The love of a lonely woman (Laurie, Best Actress nominee) could turn Eddie's life around, but he won't rest until he beats Minnesota Fats, no matter what price he must pay.

Release date: 1961
Running time: 2h 14min
Actors: Murray Hamilton, Jackie Gleason, Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott
Writers: Sidney Carroll, Robert Rossen (screenplay), Walter Tevis (based on the novel by)
Director: Robert Rossen

 

The Man Who Fell to Earth

The Man Who Fell To Earth Nicolas Reog's acclaimed cult masterpiece...Like you've never seen or heard it before. David Bowie makes his unforgettable feature film debut as a visitor from a dying planet who becomes a reclusive multi-millionaire, only to lose himself in an earthbound abyss of decadence, self-destruction and alienation. Candy Clark, Rip Torn and Buck Henry co-star in this enigmatic masterpiece directed by Nicolas Roeg (Don't Look Now, Performance) that remains an extraordinary combination of sci-fi epic and mind-blowing allegory, as well as one of the most provocative motion picture events of our time.

Release date: 1976
Running time: 2h 19min
Rated: R
Actors: David Bowie, Candy Clark, Rip Torn and Buck Henry
Writers: Paul Mayersberg (screenplay), Walter Tevis (from the novel by)
Director: Nicolas Roeg

 

The Color of Money

Paul Newman and Tom Cruise ignite the screen in this powerful drama. Brilliantly directed by Martin Scorsese, Newman re-creates one of his most memorable roles from THE HUSTLER. As Fast Eddie Felson, he still believes that "money won is twice as sweet as money earned." To prove his point, he forms a profitable yet volatile partnership with Vince (Cruise), a young pool hustler with a sexy, tough-talking girlfriend (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). But when Vince's flashy arrogance leads to more than a few lost matches, all bets are off between Eddie and him. THE COLOR OF MONEY will electrify you with its suspenseful story, dazzling cinematography, and dynamic performances.

Release date: 1986
Running time: 1h 59min
Rated: R
Actors: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver
Writers: Richard Price (screenplay), Walter Tevis (based on the novel by)
Director: Martin Scorsese

 

The Queen’s Gambit

Nine year-old orphan Beth Harmon is quiet, sullen, and by all appearances unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer, and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control. By the age of sixteen, she's competing for the U.S. Open championship. But as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit, the stakes get higher, her isolation grows more frightening, and the thought of escape becomes all the more tempting.

Release date: 2020
Running time: 6h 33min
Rated: TV-MA
Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chloe Pirrie, and Bill Camp
Writers: Scott Frank, Allan Scott, Walter Tevis (based on the novel by)
Director: Scott Frank