![Steve McQueen Triple Feature (Bullitt / Cincinnati Kid / Getaway) [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91QqZ1dn8CL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
THE CINCINNATI KID (1965) is my favorite film by both Steve McQueen and Edw. G. Robinson. I love the theme that plays throughout and Ray Charles' vocal on it during end credits.
In this Ring Lardner Jr./Terry Southern adaptation of
Richard Jessup's novel
that's set in the NRA years of FDR's first term, Eric 'The Kid' Stoner (McQueen) is a young card sharp who for some time has been gunning for Lancey 'The Man' Howard (Robinson). The older and widely-acknowledged poker king Howard is rumored to have been avoiding the Kid, that is until the day he steps off a train at the New Orleans station.
The two eventually meet in a game that neither knows has been fixed by Slade (Torn), a big-time gambler who seeks revenge against the Man for a recent humiliating $6K thrashing. Slade has blackmailed the highly reputable dealer 'Shooter' (Malden) into throwing the Kid an occasional hand, but the young man figures out what he's doing and puts a stop to it. He's gonna beat Howard fair and square or not at all.
Rip Torn, who in recent years is a burly comic character actor, appears here as young, lean and deadly serious. Except for that unmistakable voice, you can't see the man he grew into decades later. His angular face resembles a youthful Martin Landau's, but is topped with fair hair. They have the same piercing hawklike eyes.
Supporting players include Ann-Margret, Karl Malden, Tuesday Weld, Joan Blondell, Cab Calloway, Jack Weston, Jeff Corey and Dub Taylor.
TRIVIANA--
This was Ring Lardner Jr.'s first acknowledged screenplay since his 1947 blacklisting as one of the Hollywood Ten.
Director Norman Jewison calls this his "ugly duckling" film, the one that allowed him to get beyond fluff comedies and work on more serious subjects.
Although it wasn't popular in its day, in recent years "The Kid" has gotten the recognition it deserves.
Spencer Tracy was to play Yancey Howard but had to give up the role due to ill health.
When original director Sam Peckinpah was fired for adding an early scene of a girl being massaged with a vibrátor, Sharon Tate was also replaced as Christian by Tuesday Weld.
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band cameos with pianist/singer Emma Barrett.
Frequently bought together
- +
- +
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Lancey Howard [to Cincinnati Kid]: "You're good, kid... but as long as I'm around, you're only second best."
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 6, 2014
Lancey Howard [to Cincinnati Kid]: "You're good, kid... but as long as I'm around, you're only second best."
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 5, 2011Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 22, 2022
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 15, 2019
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 31, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
jean davies
Great Film and a fine old classic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 8, 2017WR
DVD arrived on time in a couple of weeks, ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 23, 2014theduchees86
GREAT FILM steve at his best
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 13, 2016
