TV and Movies

[Oznell]

8:00 p.m. Eastern --  "Ace in the Hole";  alternate title, "The Big Carnival".    Kirk Douglas, Jan Sterling, Porter Hall, Sam Cady

Searingly directed by Billy Wilder, it's the story of a big city washed-up reporter (Kirk Douglas) seeking to restore his status on a small, southwestern newspaper.  If that means duping his skeptical editor, and using unscrupulous and life-threatening means to prolong a dangerous cave-in story, so be it...

Kirk Douglas is fabulous as the duplicitous, cynical, morally compromised journalist, a cautionary tale for then, and for now.  He even throws in with the restless wife of the cave-in victim, and his schemes extend to members of the local corrupt authorities with agendas of their own...

Jan Sterling is super also as the "woman who can be had" in this.  I didn't know she had it in her-- wish she could have had other roles to extend her talent.  Watch her and Kirk deftly skirmishing in this clip.  Ping, pong, back and forth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLjiVwzeDb0

Beware though, this film is every bit as bleak and unyielding in its portrayal of human nature as Wilder's other great noir, "Double Indemnity".  

[Oznell]

"Honey, you like those rocks just as much as I do....."

[godi]

This sounds great. Thanks @Oznell   Boy he is a good looking man. ❤️

[deepwaterdotter]

A great diversion for a Saturday night with some popcorn and beverage.

[Big Joanie]

One of my favorites .... Yes .. he was absolutely a gorgeous man ....

[Big Joanie]

And I should ad .. a great actor ....

[lil spot]

@Oznell  I've not seen this film. I'm looking forward to watching it tonight. 

As always...thank you for the great review.

[Pearlee]

😀An even funnier line to me is "And I thanked him plenty" given what Kirk says to her right before that line. 😈