
The Rat Race
The Rat Race is a 1960 American drama film adapted from the play of the same name by Garson Kanin. Directed by Robert Mulligan, it stars Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds as struggling young entertainment professionals in New York City. Filming took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sam Butera and Gerry Mulligan have minor roles as saxophonists.
Plot
Wishing to pursue a career as a jazz saxophonist, Pete Hammond Jr. takes a bus from his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to New York City and optimistically begins looking for work. However, jobs are extremely hard to find. He crosses paths with Peggy Brown, a model and taxi dancer who has become jaded and cynical after years of struggling to survive in the city. She has just been evicted from an apartment rented to Pete, and because she is penniless and has no home to return to, he offers to let her stay with him. She is forced to rely on his generosity, and as the two of them work at various low-paying jobs, they stay together in the apartment as friends.
More details
author | Garson Kanin |
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contentLocation | New York City |
director | Robert Mulligan |
editor | Alma Macrorie |
genre | comedy drama |
keywords | alto man alto saxophone cruise ship dance hall evict force hard to find jazz milwaukee milwaukee wisconsin string struggle taxi dance hall taxi dancer wisconsin |
musicBy | Elmer Bernstein |
producer | George Seaton William Perlberg |
publisher | Paramount Pictures |
theme | romantic comedy |