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, Edward G. Robinson

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

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:

bluff | card game | playing card | poker the card game | professional gambling | 

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Taglines:

HIGH FURY AND GNAWING FEAR!!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 October 1965 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Cincinnati Kid

Filming Locations:

600 St Charles Ave. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$15,260,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

The book's setting was changed from St. Louis, Missouri to New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Goofs

The stiletto heeled shoes Ann Margarets' character wears, were of a type not seen until Italian fashion designers introduced them in the 1950s.

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Quotes

Lancey Howard: Gets down to what it's all about, doesn't it? Making the wrong move at the right time.
Cincinnati Kid: Is that what it's all about?
Lancey Howard: Like life, I guess. You're good, kid, but as long as I'm around you're second best. You might as well learn to live with it.

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Alternate Versions

There are two different endings to this film. The first ending, which is shown in all vhs releases, after Stoner loses the coin throw to the shoe shine boy, the boy walks away saying "You're not ready for me yet, Kid." As the boy walks away, Stoner turns around and it fades into the ending credits. In the second (or extended) ending, which was shown on Turner Classic Movies, after Stoner loses the coin throw to the shoe shine boy, the boy leaves saying "You're not ready for me yet, kid." Stoner turns around and continues walking until he sees Christian, then embraces her. The frame then freezes and says "The End" before fading into the credits.

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Connections

Referenced in The Odd Couple (1968)

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Soundtracks

The Cincinnati Kid
Music by Lalo Schifrin
Lyrics by Dorcas Cochran
Theme song of "The Cincinnati Kid"
Sung by Ray Charles

User Reviews

Mike vs Teddy KGB

The Kid vs The Man This was a well written, well acted movie, very cool movie. Steve McQueen was one cool cat. I especially liked Shooter Karl Malden, the tortured soul who tried to save the Kids soul.

The odds on being dealt a straight flush at 5 card stud are 72,192 : 1