Of all the Kirk Douglas movies Will could have picked to commemorate the screen legend’s passing, he went with 1951’s Ace in the Hole.
The film features Douglas in almost every scene. His character’s ambition drives the movie — and to Will’s delight — he’s a scoundrel throughout. In fact, almost every character the audience meets in Wilder’s cynical yellow journalism drama is loathsome.
Ace in the Hole tells the story of Chuck Tatum (Douglas), a frustrated former big-city journalist stuck working for a small and simple Albuquerque community newspaper. While trying to work his way back to the big leagues, Tatum exploits a story about a man trapped in a remote cave. He eventually ropes the local sheriff, the victim’s wife, his junior reporter, and a host of other characters into an ambitious scheme that ends in tragedy.
The situation escalates into an out-of-control circus, naturally, which is one reason Paramount Pictures rebranded the film as “The Big Carnival” just before it hit theaters.
This week on Out of Theaters, Will and Billy break down Wilder’s film and Douglas’ performance. They also discuss memorable moments throughout their all-time favorite films and thank listeners for sticking with the show during these turbulent times.
