The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

88% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(5,617 ratings)

Steve McQueen stars as the Cincinnati Kid, a crackerjack New Orleans stud poker player. Tired of chicken feed, the Kid decides to challenge The Man (Edward G. Robinson), the reigning poker champ, who is in town for a private game. The Shooter (Karl Malden), another gambling pro, arranges a game… More Steve McQueen stars as the Cincinnati Kid, a crackerjack New Orleans stud poker player. Tired of chicken feed, the Kid decides to challenge The Man (Edward G. Robinson), the reigning poker champ, who is in town for a private game. The Shooter (Karl Malden), another gambling pro, arranges a game between the Kid and the Man, with the Shooter dealing. The game is compromised by the intervention of Slade (Rip Torn), an old foe of the Man's who tries to fix the outcome. The Kid finds out about this and tells Slade to get lost, preferring to win fair and square. The outcome is in the cagey hands of The Man, who is smart enough to do (as one reviewer put it) the wrong thing at the right time. The Cincinnati Kid was based on the novel by Richard Jessup. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Written By: Ring Lardner, Terry Southern
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 15, 1965 Wide
On DVD: May 31, 2005

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Adapted from Richard Jessup's realistically-written novel, it emerges a tenseful examination of the gambling fraternity.
Howard Thompson, New York Times
The pool sharks in The Hustler have it all over the card sharks in The Cincinnati Kid, in spades.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an erratically-paced yet stirring drama that benefits greatly from McQueen's mere presence...
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's the Hustler, with Steve McQueen playing stud poker instead of Paul Newman shooting pool.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
it's the film's stellar cast, along with a gritty narrative and stylized direction, that makes The Cincinnati Kid the best poker movie ever.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
McQueen's first teaming with director Jewison is not as fun to watch as the later Thomas Crown Affair, but the actor gives a cool, understated perfromance.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Even if you don't understand the game, you'll be biting your nails.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Falta-lhe a complexidade moral e psicológica de Desafio à Corrupção, mas, ainda assim, é um filme com personagens suficientemente interessantes para prender nossa atenção.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Marvellous performances throughout ensure interest.
Dragan Antulov, Draxblog Movie Reviews
seemingly prosaic spectacle of poker game as the contest of epic proportions
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
One of Norman Jewison's core themes of his career is the singular figure and how his or her's goals, desires, and actions affect the people around them.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Moody and stylish, and McQueen is cool as ever.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
McQueen and Edward G. Robinson are aces.
, Austin Chronicle
The movie has lots of nice performances amid some romantic digressions from the poker table.
Leigh Singer, Film4
A highly watchable, if somewhat superficial drama that bluffed its way to critical respectability on release.
David Bezanson, Filmcritic.com
Among a cast loaded with talent, McQueen and Robinson are excellent

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Good acting puts this over, incredible cast coupled with interesting story. Ann-Margret is positively bursting with kittenish sexuality.
Lenny M

Crushing Ending but good effective long card scene that most likely influenced movies like Rounders or Casino Royale.
Michael G

I hate card game and Steve McQueen movies but this one was great. It doesn't have the typical bullshit Hollywood ending and it's got a great cast.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"The Cincinnati Kid" takes place in 1930's New Orleans where Eric Stoner, aka The Cincinnati Kid(Steve McQueen), is the local virtuouso of five card stud poker. His chance at the big time arrives when champion poker player Lancey Howard(Edward G.… More
[font=Century Gothic]"The Cincinnati Kid" takes place in 1930's New Orleans where Eric Stoner, aka The Cincinnati Kid(Steve McQueen), is the local virtuouso of five card stud poker. His chance at the big time arrives when champion poker player Lancey Howard(Edward G. Robinson) comes to town.(Eric's pal, Shooter(Karl Malden), once played Howard and lost. Now, he is the most respected of the city's dealers.) First, Howard takes a member of the local aristocracy, William Jefferson Slade(Rip Torn), to the bank...[/font] [font=Century Gothic]"The Cincinnati Kid" is an entertaining movie that ambles its way through its first hour before the excitement of the big game. The characters, like the movie, only truly come alive when they are gambling, either at poker or the cock fights. The movie is ably helped by a very good cast and the effective use of locations. It is about respectability, social mobility, and always looking at moving upin the world. And thanks to this movie, I think I understand the soul of the gambler better than ever before.[/font]
Burger S

What a classic! Right up there with "The Hustler" and "The Sting"..
cody f

Good simple film about poker. It's great fun to watch McQueen and Edward G. play off each other. Nothing groundbreaking, but very entertaing with a great ending.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Steve McQueen as The Cincinnati Kid

            Edward G. Robinson as Lancey Howard

            Ann-Margret as Melba

            Karl Malden as Shooter

            Tuesday Weld as Christian

            Joan Blondell as Lady Fingers

            Rip Torn as Slade

            Jack Weston as Pig

            Cab Calloway as Yeller

            Jeff Corey as Hoban

            Theo Marcuse as Felix

            Milton Selzer as Sokal

            Karl Swenson as Mr. Rudd

            Émile Genest as Cajun

            Ron Soble as Danny

            Irene Tedrow as Mrs. Rudd

            Midge Ware as Mrs. Slade

            Dub Taylor as Dealer

            Andy Albin as Referee

            William Challee
            
            Robert DoQui as Philly

            Donald Elson
            
            Claude Hall as Gambler

            Sandy Kevin as Poker Player

            Gregg Martell as Danny's Henchman

            Burt Mustin
            
            Barry O'Hara as Eddie

            Olan Soule as Desk Clerk

            Charles Wagenheim as Old Man

            Howard Wendell as Howard Poker Player

            William Zuckert
            
            John Hart
            
            Hal Taggart as Bettor

            Pat McCaffrie
            
            Steve Mc Queen
            
            Edward Robinson
            
See full cast