american drama film tells story young depression era poker player seeks establish reputation best quest leads challenge man howard older player widely considered best culminating climactic final poker hand script adapted novel written major studio work hollywood film directed stars title role howard replaced original director shortly filming began describes cincinnati kid ugly film considers film allowed transition lighter comedic films previously making films subjects film garnered mixed reviews critics initial release supporting actors robinson earned award nominations performances plot nicknamed kid coming poker player new_orleans hears longtime master game nicknamed man town sees chance finally man kid friend shooter reminding kid thought best card stud player world howard played howard arranges game wealthy shooter services dealer howard wins dollars hour game wounding pride night home tries bribe shooter cheating kid favor players meet shooter declines calls shooter markers worth dollars threatening reveal damaging information shooter wild wife shooter decision having spent years building reputation integrity kid girl christian visiting parents tries seduce christian close friends respect shooter spends day game christian family farm big game starts players including howard kid shooter playing deals relieving shooter needs break big confrontation kid howard kid short dollars steps stake hours later howard player called pig bluff remaining players break following break takes dealer continues needle game wears shooter deals hand howard players drop leaves howard kid unlikely wins kid calls break confronts shooter admits forced cheating kid insists win tells shooter deal straight blow whistle destroying shooter reputation game resumes succeeds kid christian makes surprise visit room catches fact walks kid tells kid shooter continue cheat confronts menacing kid refuses game kid maneuvers shooter replaced lying shooter ill wins major howard visibly losing confidence alternate ending cuts film ends freeze frame face following penny pitching loss dvd feature ending christian wanted end film freeze frame overruled producer scene cut british cast production filmed location new_orleans louisiana change original missouri setting novel originally cast ill health forced withdraw film originally hired direct producer fired shortly filming began picture version shot black white film 1930s period feel scrapped black white footage feeling mistake shoot film red black playing cards mute colors evoke period help pop card colors appeared claimed cast film got fired replaced film features theme song performed brief appearance film vocalist pianist soundtrack reception release favorably reviewed variety wrote constructed turned production near perfect title role best years aging ruthless new_york_times called film packaged drama strictly play stud poker notes film bears striking similarity theme characterization time magazine noted similarities saying nearly reminiscent film falls short comparison subject matter director cards table let camera cut players intent faces pool shark sinking tricky shot pocket undoubtedly offers range kid compelling subplot away table blonde tuesday integrity dealer pal pressure comes conventionally vicious southern gentleman pleasures include negro mistress pistol range adjacent fixed card games wife spells trouble kind naive wicked wicked woman recalls era wore spider web time appears hold losing hand retrospective review published noted similarities film contrast said stylized realism color detailed film dramatic complexity self awareness lacks singled performance award nomination motion picture magazine nominated robinson best supporting actor home media released region dvd dvd features commentary track director commentary selected scenes hosts plays according promotional short featuring dvd released june release film dvd modern reviewer said film hip released cited kid providing power natural screen presence dialogue robinson simply fantastic poker author calls greatest poker movies time
The Cincinnati Kid