 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 . Mary Grant designed the film 's costumes . 
