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:

A RAMBLING - GAMBLING MAN ... ! !

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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:

The 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:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The rather gratuitous fight scene in the film was added at the instigation of Steve McQueen who had it written into his contract that he feature in an action scene.

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Goofs

When "Shooter" is dealing cards in the 5-card stud game rather than dealing the first card to the player to his left (Howard) it appears that he skips him and deals the first card to the player to his left. This is in fact normal practice for card tables to "rotate deal" so that every player gets a chance to be the first to bet. It is the job of the dealer to keep track of the positions, and that is why it is common to have a "dealer button" that passes to the left.

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Quotes

Cincinnati Kid: Wake up Lady Fingers. Ask if she's ready.
Hoban: You ready, Lady Fingers?
Lady Fingers: As Eddie the Dude said on his deathbed, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

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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 Shade (2003)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A poker classic with suspense, realistic characters and a stunning cast

Steve McQueen, who was deservedly called Mister Cool, plays the young upcoming poker player, already said to be among the best in the business. But there is one he hasn't played against, The Man, Lancey Howard, played by the great Edward G. Robinson. With the help of his friend Shooter they set up the big fight. While having a high suspense factor in the poker scenes, the non-poker ones might get a bit boring at times, especially in the love story between the Kid and his girlfriend Christian. But when it comes to playing this gets almost perfect. McQueen has the ideal poker face, and so has Robinson, and they both play their parts realistically and brilliantly. McQueen was said not to be a real actor, just a poser, they said he didn't act he only looked, but he proves it wrong here. His facial expressions are perfect, and he plays the young hotshot player convincingly.

Needless to say the cast is the really stunning cast. Next to the afro-mentioned McQueen and Robinson, there's the always reliable Karl Malden, as Shooter. Malden has the most developed character in the picture, and he does a great job. And the women, oh my god, two stunning young ladies are here in all their glory. Ann-Margret plays the cheater, the femme fatal, the sexy beast, who's married to Shooter but wants the Kid. Surely one of the most attractive actresses of her time, actually all time, Ann is presented here in all her glory and beauty and sex appeal. Her seduction of McQueen early in the film, is incredibly sexy, and played brilliantly. They say Ann learned to act during Carnal Knowledge in '71. but that's not true, she already was a versatile and talented actress here. Watch her face during the cockfight scenes, or her cheating while doing a jigsaw puzzle, she acts naturally, and does a great job. And those tight dresses she wears with lots of cleavage are eye candy in its best form. One of the sexiest performances ever. Definitely shows you can be looking divine, and having acting talent at the same time.

Tuesday Weld plays the good girl, the girl from the country, Christian, and while not as pretty as Ann, she's quite a looker too, and she's also a talented and natural actress. The supporting cast is rounded out by Joane Blondell, Rip Torn, Cab Calloway and Jack Weston, all great actors who all do a fine job. Music score by Lalo Schifrin is good too, and so is the title track sung by legendary Ray Charles.

As for the often-mentioned, often-criticized last hand, it's Hollywood, only Hollywood, not a poker documentary. The film needs a strong climax, and gets it. Norman Jewison is a fine director, and especially the poker scenes and head-shots are well directed. Not much action, not much character development but it's not much of a problem. If only Peckinpah had directed, now that could have been something, Jewison is a great substitute, but I like the thought Peckinpah could have even improved it.