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Ace in the Hole
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Ace in the Hole (1951) More at IMDbPro »

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Ace in the Hole (1951) -- A frustrated former big-city journalist now stuck working for an Albuquerque newspaper exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to re-jump start his career, but the situation quickly escalates into an out-of-control circus.

Overview

User Rating:
8.2/10   6,255 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 10% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Billy Wilder
Writers:
Billy Wilder (written by) &
Lesser Samuels (written by) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Big Carnival on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 June 1951 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Film-Noir more
Plot:
A frustrated former big-city journalist now stuck working for an Albuquerque newspaper exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to re-jump start his career, but the situation quickly escalates into an out-of-control circus. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Noir City 7—Eddie Muller’s Introductory Remarks to Ace In The Hole
 (From Twitch. 1 February 2009, 11:49 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A Billy Wilder Movie more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kirk Douglas ... Chuck Tatum
Jan Sterling ... Lorraine Minosa
Robert Arthur ... Herbie Cook (as Bob Arthur)
Porter Hall ... Jacob Q. Boot
Frank Cady ... Mr. Federber
Richard Benedict ... Leo Minosa
Ray Teal ... Sheriff Gus Kretzer
Lewis Martin ... McCardle
John Berkes ... Papa Minosa
Frances Dominguez ... Mama Minosa
Gene Evans ... Deputy Sheriff
Frank Jaquet ... Sam Smollett
Harry Harvey ... Dr. Hilton
Bob Bumpas ... Radio Announcer
Geraldine Hall ... Nellie Federber
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Big Carnival (USA) (new title)
The Human Interest Story (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
111 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | Latin
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | UK:A (1951) | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:L | USA:Approved

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Billy Wilder's wife Audrey came up with the line "I don't go to church. Kneeling bags my nylons." more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Tatum and Boot are talking in the Minosa's back room, the amount of alcohol Tatum pours in his glass changes. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Charles Tatum: Hey. Pull up at the corner.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Splendor (1989) more
Soundtrack:
We're Coming, Leo more

FAQ

How does the movie end?
Is "Ace in theHole" based on a novel?
What is the meaning of an "ace in the hole"?
more
14 out of 20 people found the following comment useful:-
A Billy Wilder Movie, 26 August 2007
7/10
Author: giorgiosurbani from Italy

The excitement to finally see the only movie of Billy Wilder's greatest period I hadn't seen, verged on childishness. I love Wilder and I felt frustrated not to be able to find anywhere "Ace In The Hole" Well, all that's over now. I've seen it, in its crispy DVD release. The theme is Wilderesque, bitter sweet. Some of the lines belong, unquestionably, to the best Wilder sharp, unsentimental wit but, and unfortunately there is a big couple of buts here. Walter Newman and Lesser Samuels (his co-writers) are not Diamond or Brackett and Kirk Douglas is relentless in his on your face, loud son of a bitch. His "redemption" is literary but not cinematic. His performance starts way up high and stays there. I was longing for the laconic delivery of a Fred McMurray in "Double Indemnity" Here, one could see through his character way to easy and far too fast. Jan Sterling is lovely as the woman on the verge. Tough cookie. Delivering a couple of the best lines in the film. All in all, maybe my expectations were too high and the film deserves to be seen again. I will.

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Question about ending *SPOILER!* Hiyuga
Notes on ACE IN THE HOLE JSlack3
Excellent music by Hugo Friedhofer is... jbklingel
Location can it be seen from Amtrak Mysteryfan645
Question for those with the Criterion DVD ImOkayLarry
Really a Film-Noir? NJCHoBITSlvr
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