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The Cincinnati Kid

Play trailer Poster for The Cincinnati Kid Released Oct 15, 1965 1h 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Young poker player Eric Stoner (Steve McQueen), also known as the Cincinnati Kid, wants to build his reputation by beating the best player around, Lancey The Man Howard (Edward G. Robinson). Through Stoner's friend, Shooter (Karl Malden), a game with Howard is scheduled. However, Stoner discovers the game is being fixed against Howard by Slade (Rip Torn) out of revenge for a bad loss he suffered to Howard. Stoner objects because he feels he can take the match on his own merits.
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The Cincinnati Kid

Critics Reviews

View All (21) Critics Reviews
William J. Nazzaro Arizona Republic The Cincinnati Kid is first-rate work, easily one of the best pictures of the year. Sep 2, 2020 Full Review TIME Magazine By the time all the bets are in, Cincinnati Kid appears to hold a losing hand. May 6, 2013 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Adapted from Richard Jessup's realistically-written novel, it emerges a tenseful examination of the gambling fraternity. Oct 31, 2007 Full Review Joan Didion Vogue Nothing seems to be at stake. Mar 11, 2020 Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed A brilliant and utterly entertaining McQueen vehicle and one that fans of the actor will enjoy the most. Aug 22, 2013 Full Review Dan Jardine Cinemania A slighter version of The Hustler, on a different sort of felt Rated: 78/100 May 3, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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K K This would not be a movie that I would pick. Yet I am glad I stumbled upon it. I thought the opening and closing scenes fit nicely and summarized the story. Good acting, interesting storyline. I liked the flow and direction. The music is great. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/05/24 Full Review Joseph S "The Cincinnati Kid" is a stylish and riveting journey into the high-stakes world of poker. Steve McQueen's cool charisma and a stellar supporting cast deliver a compelling narrative punctuated by tense card games. The film's timeless allure lies in its simplicity—an expertly crafted exploration of ambition and rivalry. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/24 Full Review CodyZamboni Movie was compelling for most of the way. Charismatic stars anchor this film. I was most fascinated by the realistic poker playing scenes, some of the best card playing scenes ever. Ann Margret is stunning, so attractive, but 1960'S dress and hairstyles don't match 1930s time period. Fine work by editor Hal Ashby, and director Norman Jewison. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Somewhat sad ending, though if The Kid had won, it might be considered "predictable." Ms. Margaret smolders throughout. Fantastic performance by Edward G. Robinson and a good one from perennial supporting actor Karl "Streets of San Francisco" Malden. Wise-cracking Joan Blondell also earned her paycheck. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member It started off with a bang and ended on a whimper. It's a star studded cast, where most of the supporting cast are hamming it up, with some excessive over acting, at times winking straight at the camera., I guess to make up for the paper thin characters, and the ever rigid, ever brooding Steve McQueen, (a grown man, who's supposed to be playing the Kid). If you squint hard enough, you could accept that it's all taken place in the depression era of the 1930's, But again Steve McQueen's hair style and wardrobe looked, distractingly contemporary, witch also plagued the rest of the production design. Edward G. Robinson and Ann-Margret gave some solid performances, but couldn't stop this movie from sinking further into a quality of kooky, campiness, weighed down with heavy, at times exaggerated caricatures. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Imagine playing 5 card stud. You're getting beat by the young up and comer - McQueen - and on the final hand you draw... well, just imagine! Greatest of all time! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/13/22 Full Review Read all reviews
The Cincinnati Kid

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Movie Info

Synopsis Young poker player Eric Stoner (Steve McQueen), also known as the Cincinnati Kid, wants to build his reputation by beating the best player around, Lancey The Man Howard (Edward G. Robinson). Through Stoner's friend, Shooter (Karl Malden), a game with Howard is scheduled. However, Stoner discovers the game is being fixed against Howard by Slade (Rip Torn) out of revenge for a bad loss he suffered to Howard. Stoner objects because he feels he can take the match on his own merits.
Director
Norman Jewison
Producer
Martin Ransohoff
Screenwriter
Ring Lardner Jr., Terry Southern
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Solar Productions, Filmways Pictures
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 15, 1965, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 18, 2010
Runtime
1h 53m
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