The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Synopsis: It’s basically The Hustler with cards. 

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “You’re invited to sit in…’cause this going to be the greatest game of the century! Everything’s wild and winner takes all in The Cincinnati Kid, the sure-fire classic about the coolest card shark of them all.” 

What Did I Learn?: If the local crime boss offers you a foolproof opportunity to cheat in a card game against a much better opponent, and by doing so you’ll help a friend and make a huge sum of extra money on the side, TAKE THE DEAL! 

You Might Like This Movie If: You know the Cincinnati Kid is nothing but trouble…

Really?: 1) Um… wasn’t McQueen just a little too old to play a character named The Kid? 2) So, when is this movie set, anyway? The cars and clothing styles would suggest the 1930s, yet it doesn’t exactly seem like a period piece. 

Rating: The Cincinnati Kid is an interesting, and somewhat enjoyable drama that doesn’t quite stand the test of time. While it’s a pleasure to watch McQueen match wits with Edward G. Robinson (the movie also features Ann-Margret in a memorable sex-kitten role, as well as jazz great Cab Calloway, Karl Malden, and Rip Torn decades before he starred as Artie on The Larry Sanders Show), The Cincinnati Kid is a bit too long, it often seems like a carbon copy of The Hustler, and it tends to drag whenever the Kid isn’t playing cards. 6.5/10 stars. 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059037/?ref_=nv_sr_2