Ace int the hole (1951)

Ace in the Hole

“Rob Deb got big laughs from the crowd, but that’s given they were the kind of people who like to eat their Onion Bargees and down them with a sturdy pint of Guinness, that’s not surprising”

Journalism was not often kind to me. But it something I courted a lot. I tried my hand at it. You can argue that’s here right now in these reviews. And in this day and age the whole digital click controls the narrative has undermined the hunger for pres. But Ace in the Hole shows that while the goalposts may have changed, the need to bait and sensationalise has been part and parcel of press for a long time and the follies that come with it.

Playing as an utter amoralist Kirk Douglass can’t help but charm. He oozes the fur coat no knickers philosophy of the time, I mean its just after the war, it’s about rebuilding. But at the same time, to play this against the realities of how native Americans and their beliefs have been pumped and mistreated is a bold move. On one level our trapped minor Leo has been caught stealing from the tomb, but its Tatum who is all set to plunder their beliefs for good copy.

It’s a sprawling film about blood and circus, the involvement and the influence being famous and having press has pervades the decision, from the middle American insurance man taking his family tow match the rescue, to the sheriff jouncing in the plans that are aimed at selling papers then saving lives.

The staunch feeling of the Albuquerque press is seen as something minor, although a rod for his back. But it’s a strong film flailed by an overlong the minutes while Douglas holds in his guts physically for an immeasurable strength while spilling them emotionally at every opportunity.

It is something that grabs with its level of Zong and staunch one liners that are a writers dream. At the same time though. The loungers hold around trying to add a veneer of internal crisis when a simple cold ending would have sufficed better. The hand of the hayes code seems to grab the last act. But the journey to the end makes it thoroughly worthwhile.

It’s a strong vein of ruined dreams and second chance aspirations. As someone who left their ‘professional job’ over a year ago I can’t help but be drawn to Tate. Thinking I would be a hot ticket to employability when frankly its been more about managing expectations. And also shows where the poor reviewer who then asked me to help him get an interview with reg d hunter. I said no journo, you’re looking for stories but your not worth telling them too.

And that’s not front page news.