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Saturday, February 8, 2020

Part 4: A Movie Marathon Tribute to KIRK DOUGLAS

ACE IN THE HOLE from PARAMOUNT PICTURES (1951). The studio renamed it "The Big Carnival" just before its' theatrical release. It was returned to it's original title when it came to DVD. This won the Academy Award (Oscar) for best story /screenplay that year. It did not recoup its' money, but was a modest hit. Billy Wilder directed and co-wrote it. The character dialogue is crisp and fresh even for 2020. 

This for me is the most "evil" role Kirk Douglas ever played onscreen. He is Chuck Tatum who is a washed up news reporter. He travels to Albuquerque, NM where no one knows him and applies for a job in a small newspaper. Chuck wants to write a sensational story so he can reclaim his job as a top New York journalist. He finds his story when a local man is trapped in a cave. 

Chuck muscles his way into holding that man down there to keep his story "hot" for the presses. He uses and abuses everyone who steps in his path. He even manipulates the American public who buy it. This story is a sensation and he get's his job with a huge payday. The man in the cave is close to death and that's when Chuck's scheme crumbles....

Click photos below for all things Kirk Douglas.
(Movie poster 1951).

(Movie screenshots).

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