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Ace in the Hole (1951) | Criteria

Still from Ace in the Hole — Ace in the Hole (1951) — Billy WilderPhotographed by Charles Lang

Poster for Ace in the Hole

Ace in the Hole

United States / English / 1951 / 1h 51m

Not streamingNot currently on the Criterion Channel.

Drama Film Noir

Criterion Collection: Spine №396
Letterboxd: 4.28/5·60.1K ratings·12.5K reviewson Letterboxd
Connections: View Connections

Synopsis

An arrogant reporter exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to revitalize his career.

Ari Aster
Jul 2025
Marc Maron
Oct 2022

Ethan Hawke and Jonathan Marc Sherman

May 2017

Alexander Payne

Apr 2017

Amy Heckerling

May 2016

Volker Schlöndorff

Oct 2014

Bill Plympton#2
Barry Levinson#8
Bill Hader#8tie
Lee Grant#9
John Carpenter#9
Sonic Youth#9
Mark Cousins#10
Aki Kaurismäki#10tie

Included in
Read All About It!
Position 12
Included in
Starring Kirk Douglas
Position 7
Included in
Five by Billy Wilder
Position 2
Included in
September 2021
Position 3

Part of Box Set

CC40

Credits

Crew

DirectorBilly Wilder

WriterWalter Newman, Lesser Samuels, Billy Wilder

CinematographerCharles Lang

ComposerHugo Friedhofer

EditorArthur P. Schmidt

ProducerBilly Wilder

Cast

Kirk Douglasas Charles Tatum

Jan Sterlingas Lorraine

Robert Arthuras Herbie Cook

Porter Hallas Jacob Q. Boot

Frank Cadyas Mr. Federber

Richard Benedictas Leo Minosa

Ray Tealas Sheriff

Lewis Martinas McCardle

John Berkesas Papa Minosa

Frances Dominguezas Mama Minosa

Gene Evansas Deputy Sheriff

Frank Jaquetas Smollett

Harry Harveyas Dr. Hilton

Bob Bumpasas Radio Announcer

Geraldine Hallas Mrs. Federber

Richard Gainesas Nagel

Oscar Belindaas Barker (uncredited)

Martin Bendletonas Barker (uncredited)

Basil Chesteras Indian (uncredited)

Ken Christyas Jessop (uncredited)

Double Feature

Streaming now, and why it pairs with this film

Poster for I vitelloni

I vitelloni1953

Both picked by Amy Heckerling in the Criterion Closet, and both on Barry Levinson’s Top 10

Or

Red Beard1965Both picked by Alexander Payne in the Criterion Closet, and both on Aki Kaurismäki’s Top 10
Le plaisir1952Both picked by Alexander Payne in the Criterion Closet, and both on Bill Hader’s Top 10

Related Films

via Criterion Collection

Poster for The Killers

The Killers

1946

Poster for Shock Corridor

Shock Corridor

1963

Poster for Spartacus

Spartacus

1960

Articles

via Criterion Collection

Spike Lee on Ace in the HoleMay 7, 2014
Some Like It Hot: How to Have FunSam Wasson — Nov 19, 2018
Ace in the Hole: Chin Up for MotherGuy Maddin — May 5, 2014
Ace in the Hole: Noir in Broad DaylightMolly Haskell — May 5, 2014