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poster of The Cincinnati Kid
Rating: 7/10 by 275 users

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.

Directing:
  • Norman Jewison
Writing:
  • Ring Lardner, Jr.
  • Richard Jessup
  • Terry Southern
Stars:
Release Date: Fri, Oct 15, 1965

Rating: 7/10 by 275 users

Alternative Title:
신시내티 도박사 - KR
Cincinnati Kid und der Pokerkönig - DE
Qumarbazlar Kralı - AZ

Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 42 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $15,260,000

Plot Keyword: poker, gambling, new orleans, louisiana
Subtitle   Wallpaper   Watch Trailer    

Steve McQueen
Eric Stoner ("The Cincinnati Kid")
Ann-Margret
Melba Nile
Tuesday Weld
Christian Rudd
Joan Blondell
Lady Fingers
Rip Torn
William Jefferson Slade
Midge Ware
Mrs. Slade
Andy Albin
Referee (uncredited)
Leon Alton
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
John Barton
Spectator at Cockfight (uncredited)
James J. Casino
Poker Player (uncredited)
William Challee
Old Man (uncredited)
Noble 'Kid' Chissell
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Gene Coogan
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
Mimi Dillard
Slade's Girlfriend (uncredited)
Robert DoQui
Philly (uncredited)
Larry Duran
Gambler (uncredited)
Daniel Elam
Waiter (uncredited)
George Ford
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
Sig Frohlich
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
Wesley Gale
Waiter (uncredited)
Rudy Germane
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Bobby Gilbert
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
George Golden
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
Ken Grant
Shoeshine Boy (uncredited)
Michael Greene
Hustler (uncredited)
Raven Grey Eagle
Spectator at Cockfight (uncredited)
Claude Hall
Gambler (uncredited)
Virginia Harrison
Employee (uncredited)
John Hart
Poker Player (uncredited)
Harry Hines
Old Man (uncredited)
George Holmes
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
Jimmie Horan
Spectator at Cockfight (uncredited)
Breena Howard
Cajun's Woman (uncredited)
John Indrisano
Gambler (uncredited)
Colin Kenny
Spectator at Cockfight (uncredited)
Richard LaMarr
Spectator at Cockfight (uncredited)
John Marlin
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Gregg Martell
Danny's Henchman (uncredited)
Pat McCaffrie
Poker Player (uncredited)
Sandy McPeak
Poker Player (uncredited)
Mike Morelli
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
Sol Murgi
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
Burt Mustin
Old Man (uncredited)
Barry O'Hara
Eddie (uncredited)
Brett Pearson
Gambler (uncredited)
Joyce Perry
Mrs. Hoban (uncredited)
Paul Ravel
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Waclaw Rekwart
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Christopher Riordan
Railroad Worker (uncredited)
Bernard Sell
Poker Game Spectator (uncredited)
Olan Soule
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Robert Stevenson
Gambler (uncredited)
Hal Taggart
Bettor (uncredited)
Paul Verdier
Second Bettor (uncredited)
Charles Wagenheim
Old Man (uncredited)
Howard Wendell
Charlie (uncredited)
Harry Wilson
Spectator at Cockfight (uncredited)
Dick Winslow
Poker Player (uncredited)
Bill Zuckert
Poker Player (uncredited)

John Chard

People will sit down at the table with you, just so they can say they played with The Man Blah blah blah is the feelings I get when I see comments about this being McQueen's answer to The Hustler, the Newman film is firmly ensconced in the hall of classics and rightly so, but this is a different animal that stands up on its own two feet as a great film regardless of comparisons of leading men or films they respectively delivered. "It's a pleasure to meet someone who understands that to the true gambler, money is never an end in itself, it's simply a tool, as a language is to thought" Steve McQueen is The Cincinnati Kid of the title, a young man who has an enviable reputation as the pretender to the throne of the king stud poker player. Standing in his way of claiming the crown is the holder of said crown, Lancey "The Man" Howard (a wonderfully sedate yet dominant Edward G. Robinson), both men are in New Orleans for the big showdown across the card table. The film does suffer slightly from a meandering script, though, because you can't help feeling that there is so much more to these characters that needed fleshing out before the big tense showdown arises. However, the cast and director manage to stere the film home with a glorious final third. Suspense and drama start to boil to the surface, the tight knit editing bringing claustrophobic clarity to the enormity of the game. McQueen is perfect here, cocky and cool in equal measure, yet still infusing the role with stoic heart and honest endearment. Tuesday Weld & Ann-Margret are playing second fiddle in the acting stakes to a delightful turn from Joan Blondell (a little under used though), but both Weld and Margret bring their respective girls' traits to life, with Margret positively smouldering with femme fatale sex appeal. Karl Malden is solid and safe, whilst Rip Torn gives an acting lesson in dialogue driven menace. Yet in all honesty it's director Norman Jewison who has the trump card here. Once the game commences, even those who know nothing about a good game of poker are firmly watching every frame, such is the intense way that Jewison has brought the finale together. No cop outs here, a film about egos, ambitions and personal satisfaction is gloriously laid out for a very enjoyable viewing experience. 8/10


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