The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

Richard Jessup (novel)
Ring Lardner Jr. (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 OKTÓBER 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A RAMBLING - GAMBLING MAN ... ! !

Plot:

An up-and-coming poker player tries to prove himself in a high-stakes match against a long-time master of the game.

Plot Keywords:

Poker | Poker Player | 1930s | Stud Poker | Cemetery

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins

Cast

Steve McQueen	...	The Cincinnati Kid
Edward G. Robinson	...	Lancey Howard
Ann-Margret	...	Melba
Karl Malden	...	Shooter
Tuesday Weld	...	Christian
Joan Blondell	...	Lady Fingers
Rip Torn	...	Slade
Jack Weston	...	Pig
Cab Calloway	...	Yeller
Jeff Corey	...	Hoban
Theodore Marcuse	...	Felix (as Theo Marcuse)
Milton Selzer	...	Sokal
Karl Swenson	...	Mr. Rudd
Émile Genest	...	Cajun (as Emile Genest)
Ron Soble	...	Danny

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Iceland:L | UK:AA (original rating) | UK:PG (re-rating) (1993) | Germany:12 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Sharon Tate was replaced in the film by Tuesday Weld after Sam Peckinpah was fired by producer Martin Ransohoff.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the opening segment where McQueen is been chased through the railroad yard. The two diesel-electric locomotives shown are from the late 1950s and contemporary with the shooting date of the movie c.1964. Dieselization of the US railroad system did not start until 1949.

Quotes:

Lancey Howard: Women are a universal problem in our business. Of course, uh, it's purely an academic question wuth me now, but, looking back, I think it's best not to look for a fixed thing. Just tie into something nice when you're away from the action and let it wear itself out.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Odd Couple (1968)

Soundtrack:

I've Got You Under My Skin

The oldest kid in town

"There's always a kid", says Edward G. Robinson's character, "the man", in this film, and I guess there's always a man as well. In fact, the Cincinatti Kid is just about the least kid-like kid you could imagine, as Steve MacQueen was little more than ten years away from his death-bed when he played the part. I don't know what it is I like about Steve MacQueen: either his acting is very subtle indeed, or it's virtually non-existent, but there's something about his strong, silent, only reluctantly violent heroes that is innately more appealing than, say, the "make my day, punk" attitude of Clint Eastwood. Robinson's suave gambler is also an appealing figure in this movie. There's also some good use of traditional New Orleans jazz (but also some nasty, obvious strings on the soundtrack as well, reminding one of the equally ugly music in director Jewision's 'In the Heat of the Night', made at around the same time).

There are obvious parallels between this film and 'the Hustler', but while more modern, this film is also simpler in construction: there are some side-plots but ultimately, the characterisation (though strong) is static and it all comes down to the cards on the table. Someone wins, someone loses; but that's always the way. This isn't the deepest film you'll ever see, but it remains an immensely watchable one.