 Sweet Smell of Success is a 1957 American film noir drama film made by Hecht @-@ Hill @-@ Lancaster Productions and released by United Artists . It was directed by Alexander Mackendrick and stars Burt Lancaster , Tony Curtis , Susan Harrison and Martin Milner . The screenplay was written by Clifford Odets , Ernest Lehman and Mackendrick from the novelette by Lehman . The film was shot on location in New York City . The film was released in the United States and Canada on September 11, 1957 . It was nominated for three Academy Awards .
Burt Lancaster as Sidney Falco
Tony Curtis as J. J. Hunsecker