| The Cincinnati Kid | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Norman Jewison |
| Screenplay by | Ring Lardner Jr. Terry Southern |
| Based on | The Cincinnati Kid 1963 novel by Richard Jessup |
| Produced by | Martin Ransohoff |
| Starring | Steve McQueen Edward G. Robinson Ann-Margret Karl Malden Tuesday Weld |
| Cinematography | Philip H. Lathrop |
| Edited by | Hal Ashby |
| Music by | Lalo Schifrin |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 113 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $7 million (US/Canada rentals)[2] |
The Cincinnati Kid is a 1965 American drama film directed by Norman Jewison. It tells the story of Eric "The Kid" Stoner, a young Depression-era poker player, as he seeks to establish his reputation as the best. This quest leads him to challenge Lancey "The Man" Howard, an older player widely considered to be the best, culminating in a climactic final poker hand between the two.
The script, adapted from Richard Jessup's 1963 novel of the same name, was written by Ring Lardner Jr. and Terry Southern; it was Lardner's first major studio work since his 1947 blacklisting as one of The Hollywood Ten.[3] The film stars Steve McQueen in the title role and Edward G. Robinson as Howard. Director Jewison, who replaced Sam Peckinpah shortly after filming began,[3] describes The Cincinnati Kid as his "ugly duckling" film. He considers it the film that allowed him to make the transition from the lighter comedic films he had been making and take on more serious films and subjects.[4]
The film garnered mixed reviews from critics on its initial release. Joan Blondell earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Lady Fingers.
- ^ "AFI Catalog: The Cincinnati Kid (1965)". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ This figure consists of anticipated rentals accruing distributors in North America. See "Big Rental Pictures of 1965", Variety, 5 January 1966 p 6
- ^ a b Hartman, Steven. "Film Notes: Cincinnati Kid". New York State Writers Institute Film Notes. University at Albany. Archived from the original on 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- ^ Jewison, Norman (2005). The Cincinnati Kid director commentary (DVD). Turner Entertainment.