The Cincinnati Kid

Steve McQueen and Edward G. Robinson star in this 1965 poker classic about a young, up and coming poker player looking to prove himself in a match against the best poker player in the world, Lancey “The Man” Howard.

Actors

Steve McQueen stars as “The Kid” and Edward G. Robinson plays the part of “The Man.”  When The Kid hears that Lancey Howard is in town, he decides to set up a challenge match to prove himself as the new best poker player in the world.

William Jefferson Slade, a shifty associate of The Kid, gets first dibs to play against The Man.  He convinces The Kid’s friend, Shooter, to deal for the match.  Over the course of a 30 hour match, Lancey Howard crushes William Slade to the tune of several thousand dollars.  The devastating loss angers Slade, who vows to get even with Howard.

Later that night, Slade approaches Shooter with a proposition to work the upcoming match between The Kid and The Man in favor of The Kid.  As the dealer of the upcoming match and an experienced card mechanic, Shooter is in the perfect position to rig the game and give Slade the vengeance he desires.

Shooter resists Slade’s bribe because he prizes his reputation for integrity.  Slade then blackmails Shooter by threatening to reveal some dirty information about Slade’s wife, Melba.  At this threat, Shooter caves and agrees to rig the game.

Shooter’s wife proves to be a worthy subject of blackmail when she tries to seduce The Kid one day while Shooter is away.  The Kid, always the scrupulous one, resists her advances out of respect for his own girlfriend, Christian (Tuesday Weld), and Shooter.

The Big Match

At the big match between The Kid and The Man, Shooter deals and does indeed rig the game.  During a break, The Kid confronts Shooter and Shooter admits that he has been rigging the game because of Slade’s blackmail.  The Kid then tells Shooter that he better deal the game straight or else he’ll tell everyone about the crooked game and ruin Shooter’s reputation.

During the break, Melba appears and again tries to seduce The Kid.  This time, she succeeds and The Kid takes her up on her offer.  The Kid’s girlfriend walks in on them and she makes a tearful departure.  Will The Kid be able to win back his girlfriend?  Only time will tell.

Back at the match, Shooter deals a fair game and The Kid gets a chance at beating the greatest poker player in the world in a fair contest.  It all leads up to a tense and dramatic ending, an ending you are going to have to see for yourself because this review isn’t gong to spoil it.

Even though the old age of the movie may turn off some younger viewers, it’s not a bad flick at all.  It can connect to audiences of any age through the timeless game of poker and give some of you a chance to see a few of the great actors of times long past performing in their prime in one of the great poker movies.