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 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. 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, 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.
The film garnered mixed reviews from critics on its initial release. Joan Blondell earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Lady Fingers.
Plot
In the 1930s Eric Stoner, nicknamed "The Kid", an up-and-coming poker player in New Orleans, hears that Lancey Howard, an old master of the game, is in town, and sees it as his chance to achieve recognition as the new king of five-card stud. But before the huge contest between Stoner and Howard, Howard arranges a tune-up game with wealthy, corrupt William Jefferson Slade. For a dealer, he secures the services of the Kid's friend, Shooter, renowned for his integrity. Howard wins $6,000 from Slade over a 30-hour game, angering Slade and wounding his pride. That night at Slade's home, he tries to bribe Shooter into cheating in the Kid's favor when the two players meet. Shooter declines, but Slade calls in Shooter's markers worth $12,000, and blackmails him by threatening to reveal damaging information about Shooter's sleazy wife, Melba. Shooter agonizes over his decision, having spent the last 25 years building a reputation for honesty. Eventually, however, he accedes to Slade's demands. Meantime, with the Kid's girl Christian visiting her parents, Melba tries to seduce him, even though she and Christian are close friends. Out of respect for Shooter, he rebuffs her and spends the day before the game with Christian at her family's farm.
Back in New Orleans the next day, the big game begins. At first, there are six players, including Howard and the Kid, with Shooter playing as he deals and another dealer, the popular Lady Fingers, relieving him whenever Shooter needs a break. In the first big confrontation between the Kid and Howard, the Kid is short $2,000 and Slade steps in to stake him. Several hours later, Howard busts a player called Pig, and the remaining players take a break. After the game resumes, Shooter bows out of competition but remains at the table as dealer only. Later, two more players, Yeller and Sokal, drop out. That leaves just Howard and the Kid. After a few unlikely wins, the Kid abruptly calls for a break and then privately confronts Shooter, who admits to being forced into cheating by Slade. The Kid insists he can win on his own and tells Shooter to deal straight or he will blow the whistle, destroying Shooter's reputation. Before the game resumes, Melba succeeds in seducing the Kid. Christian makes a surprise visit to the room, catches them after the fact, and walks out on the Kid.
When the game is called back into session, the Kid maneuvers to have Shooter replaced by Lady Fingers, claiming Shooter is ill. He then wins several major pots from Howard, who is visibly losing confidence. During the final hand though, Howard beats the Kid with a queen-high straight flush. The Kid turns over his cards, revealing a full house, aces full of tens. In the end, the Kid not only loses all his money, but is in hock to Howard for $5,000. Howard then chastises the Kid, telling him that he will always be "second best" as long as Howard is around. After departing the hotel, the Kid loses a penny pitch to the shoeshine boy he had beaten at the same game at the film's opening. Around the corner, he unexpectedly runs into Christian. They embrace.
Alternative versions
In some cuts, the film ends with a freeze-frame on Steve McQueen's face following his penny-pitching loss. Turner Classic Movies and the DVD feature the ending with Christian. Jewison wanted to end the film with the freeze-frame but was overruled by the producer.
The cockfight scene was cut by British censors.