The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

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

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

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

Stars:

Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret, Karl Malden

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve McQueen	...	The Cincinnati Kid
Ann-Margret	...	Melba
Karl Malden	...	Shooter
Tuesday Weld	...	Christian
Edward G. Robinson	...	Lancey Howard
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

Storyline

In 1930s New Orleans, the Cincinnati Kid, a young stud poker player who travels from one big game to the next, stopping along the way up with various girls, is pitted against the legendary champion card-sharp Lancey Howard in a high-stakes poker game.

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Plot Keywords:

poker | blackmail | 1930s | stud poker | poker player | 

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Taglines:

HIGH FURY AND GNAWING FEAR!!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 October 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cincinnati Kid

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Filmways Pictures, Solar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mitzi Gaynor campaigned for the role of "Lady Fingers", but it ended up going to Joan Blondell. Rumors are abound as to why Blondell got the role, with the most common being that Gaynor and Ann-Margret did not quite get along.

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Goofs

Strings to the chickens can be seen in the cock fight sequence.

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Quotes

[Shooter's wife Melba is altering a jigsaw puzzle piece with a nail file]
Shooter: Melba, why do you do that?
Melba: So it'll fit, stupid.
Shooter: No, I'm not talking about that. What I'm asking is... do you, uh, have to cheat at everything?
Melba: At everything?
Shooter: Yes. At... solitaire. I've yet to see you play one game of solitaire without cheating.
Melba: So what?
Shooter: Look, you're just cheating yourself, don't you understand? You'll be the loser, no one else but yourself!... You've ruined the puzzle, now, that doesn't go in there.
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Steve McQueen: The King of Cool (1998)

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Soundtracks

"I've Got You Under My Skin"
(uncredited)
Written by Cole Porter

User Reviews

One of the best movies I've ever seen

The opening scene is riveting. Well cast with Robinson, McQueen and Malden in top form and most supporting roles convincing. The flavor of old New Orleans is undeniable.

The plot line is a familiar one - - the new lion challenging the old king, this time at a poker table. The results are not predictable and the action leading to the climax is gripping.

Subplots support the main story line even though the female characters are just a bit too glamorous to be believable. The novel the movie is based upon is rather spare and a great deal of the dialog and minor actions were added when the screenplay was written.

A most enjoyable and satisfying motion picture!