Purists be damned: Director George Roy Hill and musical collaborator Marvin Hamlisch knew perfectly well that their Paul Newman-Robert Redford conmen buddy comedy took place in the 1930s, three full decades after composer Scott Joplin's rags had been the rage. And like any good filmmakers, they knew the music simply fit the film.

-Entertainment Weekly, 2001.

Marvin Hamlisch single-handedly brought Scott Joplin and ragtime to new heights, reintroducing the public to the nearly forgotten music of the jazz predecessor and pianist on this soundtrack to the charming Robert Redford/Paul Newman crook flick. Setting the beat for the hit movie, this fine selection of classics aced the charts and scored a top-ten single with a historical cut that, as its name claims, is still quite entertaining. * * * * *

- Zagat Survey Music Guide - 1,000 Top Albums of All Time, 2003.

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