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Ace in the Hole

  • 19511951
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
35K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Kirk Douglas and Jan Sterling in Ace in the Hole (1951)
Theatrical Trailer from Paramount
Play trailer2:23
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Film-Noir

A frustrated former big-city journalist now stuck working for an Albuquerque newspaper exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to rekindle his career, but the situation quickly escala... Read allA frustrated former big-city journalist now stuck working for an Albuquerque newspaper exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to rekindle his career, but the situation quickly escalates into an out-of-control circus.A frustrated former big-city journalist now stuck working for an Albuquerque newspaper exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to rekindle his career, but the situation quickly escalates into an out-of-control circus.

IMDb RATING
8.1/10
35K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Billy Wilder
    • Lesser Samuels
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Kirk Douglas
    • Jan Sterling
    • Robert Arthur
Top credits
  • Director
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Billy Wilder
    • Lesser Samuels
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Kirk Douglas
    • Jan Sterling
    • Robert Arthur
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 205User reviews
    • 124Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Ace In The Hole
    Trailer 2:23
    Ace In The Hole

    Photos120

    Billy Wilder directing "The Big Carnival," 1951
    Kirk Douglas in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Ken Christy, Lewis Martin, and Bert Moorhouse in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Lester Dorr in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Kirk Douglas and Lester Dorr in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Ralph Moody in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Bob Bumpas in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Kirk Douglas and Harry Harvey in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Kirk Douglas and Harry Harvey in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Kirk Douglas and Jan Sterling in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Kirk Douglas in Ace in the Hole (1951)
    Kirk Douglas and Jan Sterling in Ace in the Hole (1951)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kirk Douglas
    Kirk Douglas
    • Chuck Tatumas Chuck Tatum
    Jan Sterling
    Jan Sterling
    • Lorraine Minosaas Lorraine Minosa
    Robert Arthur
    Robert Arthur
    • Herbie Cookas Herbie Cook
    Porter Hall
    Porter Hall
    • Jacob Q. Bootas Jacob Q. Boot
    Frank Cady
    Frank Cady
    • Al Federberas Al Federber
    Richard Benedict
    Richard Benedict
    • Leo Minosaas Leo Minosa
    Ray Teal
    Ray Teal
    • Sheriff Gus Kretzeras Sheriff Gus Kretzer
    Lewis Martin
    • McCardleas McCardle
    John Berkes
    John Berkes
    • Papa Minosaas Papa Minosa
    Frances Dominguez
    • Mama Minosaas Mama Minosa
    Gene Evans
    Gene Evans
    • Deputy Sheriffas Deputy Sheriff
    Frank Jaquet
    Frank Jaquet
    • Sam Smollettas Sam Smollett
    Harry Harvey
    Harry Harvey
    • Dr. Hiltonas Dr. Hilton
    Bob Bumpas
    • Radio Announceras Radio Announcer
    Geraldine Hall
    • Nellie Federberas Nellie Federber
    Richard Gaines
    Richard Gaines
    • Nagelas Nagel
    Roy Regnier
    • Nagel - New York Editor (replaced by Richard Gaines)as Nagel - New York Editor (replaced by Richard Gaines)
    • (scenes deleted)
    Oscar Belinda
    • Barkeras Barker
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Billy Wilder
      • Lesser Samuels
      • Walter Newman
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Charles Tatum, a down-on-his-luck reporter, takes a job with a small New Mexico newspaper. The job is pretty boring until he finds a man trapped in an old Indian dwelling. He jumps at the chance to make a name for himself by taking over and prolonging the rescue effort, and feeding stories to major newspapers. He creates a national media sensation and milks it for all it is worth - until things go terribly wrong. —John Oswalt <jao@jao.com>
    • media manipulation
    • media circus
    • journalism
    • newspaper
    • cave
    • 227 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Rough, tough Chuck Tatum, who battered his way to the top ... trampling everything in his path - men, women and morals !
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Film-Noir
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After the film was released, it got bad reviews and lost money. The studio, without Billy Wilder's permission, changed the title to "The Big Carnival" to increase the box office take of the film. It didn't work. On top of that, Wilder's next picture, "Stalag 17 (1953)," was a hit and he expected a share of the picture's profits. Paramount's accountants told him that since this picture lost money, the money it lost would be subtracted from the profits of "Stalag 17".
    • Goofs
      Rattlesnakes will not eat bubble gum, in or out of the wrapper.
    • Quotes

      Charles Tatum: Bad news sells best. Cause good news is no news.

    • Connections
      Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Billy Wilder (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      The Hut-Sut Song
      (uncredited)

      Written by Leo Killion, Ted McMichael and Jack Owens

      Sung by Richard Benedict and Kirk Douglas

    User reviews205

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Far Ahead Of Its Time
    "Ace In the Hole," which used to turn up on local TV as "The Big carnival," was far head of its time. It wasn't very successful and its cynicism shocked people.

    Along comes Andy Warhol almost two decades later with his notion of "fifteen minutes of fame" and everyone buys that concept. It's not quite the same as the concept of this. Nor is that of the very popular "Network," which came even later. But the premise here is that reporter Kirk Douglas will literally jeopardize a man's life in order to get a series of big newspaper stories. And does anyone today doubt that such things happen? Wilder was often cynical, though here it is to the most meaningful end. "the Fortune Cookie" and "Kiss Me, Stupid" are cynical also and they are both fun but this one makes a very trenchant point and they do not.

    The acting is superb. Kirk Douglas gave many brilliant performances. This is one of them. The trailer included in the DVD I just saw crows that with this Jan Sterling will be immediately elevated to the top rank of female stars. That never happened but she is excellent here, as generally elsewhere.

    The interviews of Wilder by Cameron Crowe tell a funny story about the genesis of one of her lines. I'd better not quote it; so get that book. It's very entertaining, informative, and touching.

    Wilder was one of =this country's great directors. This will probably never be one of his most popular movies but I'd certainly rank it as one of his best.
    helpful•14
    3
    • Handlinghandel
    • Jan 24, 2005

    FAQ3

    • Is "Ace in the Hole" based on a book?
    • What is the meaning of an "ace in the hole"?
    • How does the movie end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 4, 1951 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • The Big Carnival
    • Filming locations
      • New Mexico Desert, New Mexico, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,800,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,300,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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