The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Cooler than thou movie star Steve McQueen is an engaging protagonist in this adaptation of the Richard Jessup novel, scripted by Ring Lardner, Jr. ("MASH") and Terry Southern. McQueen is the title character, an up and coming poker player who yearns to hit the big time. He gets his chance when he is allowed to play reigning champion Lancey Howard (Edward G. Robinson). Although an attempt is made to influence the outcome of the game, The Kid opts to play honestly, confident in his ability.Poker isn't really the most cinematic of professions, but director Norman Jewison ("In the Heat of the Night") does manage to make it visually interesting at times. While those not familiar with all the lingo and nuances of the profession may potentially get lost, there is still some tension to enjoy. The atmosphere, and portrayal of this milieu is vivid, and convincing. The jazzy score by Lalo Schifrin adds flavor, as does the theme song belted out by Ray Charles. On location shooting in New Orleans also adds a lot to the presentation.McQueen is extremely well supported by an eclectic bunch of players. Eddie G. is wonderful as the relaxed old pro, an intelligent and articulate man who acknowledges that this upstart kid just might have what it takes to knock him off his throne. Ann-Margret and Tuesday Weld are both incredibly sexy and appealing. Karl Malden, Joan Blondell, Rip Torn, Jack Weston, and singer Cab Calloway are all excellent, and there's a rich parade of character actor talent to boot: Jeff Corey, Milton Selzer, Karl Swenson, Ron Soble, Dub Taylor, Robert DoQui, Burt Mustin, etc.The picture was begun by Sam Peckinpah, only for him to get fired and replaced by Jewison.Seven out of 10.

Directed by Norman Jewison, who took over for Sam Peckinpah when he was fired by producer Martin Ransohoff, with a screenplay by Ring Lardner Jr. and Terry Southern that was based on Richard Jessup's novel, this slightly above average drama explores the world of high stakes poker. While the story itself is fairly ordinary and predictable, the film's strengths are the rich, credible characterizations by its just right cast.Steve McQueen (in the title role) plays Eric Stoner, the young challenger to "the man" and aging legendary champion Lancey Howard, played by Edward G. Robinson. Karl Malden plays Shooter, a former challenger himself who's currently advises the Kid. Ann-Margaret plays Shooter's sexy "man eater" wife (of questionable background) Melba Nile, who's spent her husband into a precarious position. Tuesday Weld plays Eric's country girlfriend (a largely unnecessary character), Christian Rudd, who's getting an "education" from Melba. Joan Blondell plays the well known big game dealer, Lady Fingers. Rip Torn plays a wannabe good poker player, wealthy New Orleans businessman named William Jefferson Slade. Theodore Marcuse plays Slade's heavy. Jack Weston, Cab Calloway, and Milton Selzer play characters in the film's big, climactic game. Jeff Corey plays a noteworthy spectator. Karl Swenson and Irene Tedrow play Christian's parents.After some set-ups: the requisite inconsequential game after which the Kid almost gets killed by some sore losers (ala The Hustler (1961)) and another between Lancey and Slade, to give the humiliated Southerner a reason to want revenge against "the man", it's learned that Slade holds a $12,000 marker (I.O.U.) from Shooter, who's scheduled to split the dealing duties during the big showdown game between Lancey and the Kid, with Lady Fingers. Known for his integrity, this naturally causes (a brief) inner conflict for Shooter, who's wife would leave him in a flash (e.g. for the new champ) if he could no longer afford her.All these events lead to the final poker game, spiced initially by outbursts from Pig (Weston) and continuing until only "the man" and the Kid are left. The tension is palatable throughout, and the ending may surprise.

An up-and-coming poker player tries to prove himself in a high-stakes match against a long-time master of the game (Edward G. Robinson , though Spencer Tracy was originally cast as Lancey Howard but poor health forced him to withdraw and he was replaced). Cincinnati Kid lets nothing stand in his way , especially the reigning king of the card tables , Lancey Howard . Cincinnati gets together in 30's New Orleans for big poker game with unexpected consequences .This interesting film contains emotion , drama , a lot of competing game in the tradition of the not dissimilar : The Hustler , and meaningless romances between McQueen , Tuesday Weld and Ann Margret . Nice acting by Steve McQueen as a roving card-shark determined on his way to the big time, here he had one of his earliest and best performances . Awesome Edward G. Robinson as a veteran poker player , this is the second movie in which plays a gambler that features a straight flush in diamonds , the first was Smart Money (1931) . Extraordinary support cast such as Rip Torn , Jack Weston , Cab Calloway , Jeff Corey , Milton Selzer , Karl Swenson , Robert DoQui , Dub Taylor and Sharon Tate was replaced in the film by Tuesday Weld . And special appearance by Joan Blondell , Mitzi Gaynor campaigned for the role of "Lady Fingers", but it ended up going to Joan ; 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 . Appropriate and evocative Art Direction by Edward C. Carfagno and George W. Davis . Marvelous cinematography capturing splendidly New Orleans settings by top-notch director of photography Philip H. Lathrop . Adequate as well as atmospheric soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin , including catching jazz music . The motion picture was well realized by Norman Jewison , he directed after Sam Peckinpah was fired by producer Martin Ransohoff who was unhappy with the film tone and fired Peckinpah . Jewison is a prestigious and veteran filmmaker, his greatest hit is , of course , ¨Jesus Christ Superstar¨ . He directed successful movies as ¨Fiddler on the roof¨ , ¨Agnes of God¨ , ¨Moonstruck¨ , ¨Thomas Crown¨ and this ¨Cinncinati Kid¨ . However , he also got some flops as ¨Bogus¨, ¨In country¨ , ¨Only you¨ and ¨Other's people money¨ and his last picture titled ¨The statement¨ . He considers ¨The Hurricane¨ (1999) the last in a trilogy of racial bigotry movies he's realized, the first two being ¨In the Heat of the Night¨ (1967) and ¨A Soldier's Story¨ (1984). Cincinnati Kid rating : Good, worthwhile seeing for its prodigious interpretations , magnificent settings and colorful cinematography . .

"The Kid" (Steve McQueen) is the up-and-coming new player in the stud poker world. He travels from game to game, usually with the help of his buddy Shooter (Karl Malden), only to clean out his competition in good form. When Lancey "The Man" Howard comes to town, the Kid and Shooter arrange a high-stakes poker game with some of the best players around to find out who the real king of stud poker is.There have been a number of solid poker movies throughout the years, with the most recent being the Matt Damon vehicle "Rounders," a film which basically spurred the "poker boom" back in the early 2000s (along with donkey Chris Moneymaker's World Series of Poker win in 2003). One poker flick that's never forgotten in the wide array of films in the subgenre is 'The Cincinnati Kid.' The film features one of Steve McQueen's most legendary performances (in a long list of great roles) and puts him alongside such other great actors like Karl Malden, Rip Torn, and oh-so-sexy Ann-Margret.One issue that has come along with this film is that it does feature a LOT of poker, but what really works about the poker scenes is that it's more about the characters than the actual game. The dialogue, the staredowns, and everything else at the table works so well that it never, ever gets boring. Away from the table, there are some terrifically formed bonds between the friendship of Shooter & the Kid, along with the Kid's relations with girlfriend Christian (Tuesday Weld) and Melba (Ann-Margret). Including this additional drama helps to round out the film into something entertaining and interesting for all viewers, whether they be poker fans or not.Overall, while I do, as a poker player and cinema enthusiast, prefer 'Rounders' slightly, 'The Cincinnati Kid' is one of the best films you can find on the subject. It's just a shame that McQueen wasn't around long enough to have a showdown between The Kid and Mike McDermott.Final Verdict: 9/10.-AP3-