The Cincinnati Kid

The Cincinnati Kid. 1965 MGM/Turner Entertainment.
Starring: Steve McQueen, Edward G. Robinson, Ann-Margret, Karl Malden, Tuesday Weld, Rip Torn, Cab Calloway
Director: Norman Jewison
Available at Amazon: Single DVD, or as part of the Essential Steve McQueen Collection.

A film adaptation of Richard Jessup's novel of the same name, with the only major change being the location. In the novel, events took place in St. Louis; here, they've been moved down river to New Orleans.

Steve McQueen is excellent as an up-and-coming poker player named Eric "The Kid" Stoner. He hears that Lancey Howard, otherwise known as "The Man" (Robinson) is in New Orleans, and decides to take him on. The Kid's friend Shooter (Malden) warns him about Howard. Shooter thought he was the best, until The Man came along and "gutted" him.

Howard arrives, and arranges a game with William Jefferson Slade (Torn), asking Shooter to act as the dealer. Thirty hours later, Howard beats Slade for six grand, angering Slade. The following night, Slade tries bribing Shooter into cheating in The Kid's favor when his game with Howard comes up. Shooter declines,and Slade threatens to blackmail him by revealing information about his wife Melba (Ann-Margret). When asked by Shooter why he wants him to cheat on behalf of Stoner, Slade replies that he wants to see The Man gutted the way Howard gutted him. Shooter, who has been known for his integrity over the past 25 years, agonizes over his choice.

Will Shooter tilt the big match in The Kid's favor? Even if he doesn't, can Stoner beat Howard?

Recommended movie.