Norman Jewison directs and Ray Charles provides the theme song.
Sweet Emma (Barrett) makes a cameo as a New Orleans musician. The other photos here are from the film itself, but this one was taken from one of her albums. She's not in the film very long, but like everybody else, she gets it done right, just doing what she does, flawlessly.
There is actually a kid in the movie. Here is Kenneth Grant who is not a star, but from his one film role you think he could have been. He's as good as everybody else so I didn't want to leave him out.
Ann-Margret is so very good; and when she's bad she's incredible. She really can do no wrong. I don't think there was a wasted gesture or nuance that went too far or even not far enough. How do you provide eye candy without being too sweet? Well, just watch the pro. Her performance is perfectly balanced.
Cab Calloway takes his place at the poker table with all these serious actors and holds his own as the true showman that he is; not even showing one bit of a soft shoe shuffle or smile for the camera. If you only knew him from this role, you'd think he was the character that he plays rather than one of the hardest working entertainers in show business.
It's great to see Edward G. Robinson inhabit his role confidently and to compare what he did in 1965 with today's Most Interesting Man In The World commercials. I can hear him saying "I don't always play this type of character, but when I do, I do it right with no apologies." I can also imagine him saying that he'll sell no wine before it's time. He does what he wants to do and he's not asking for anyone's permission.
Joan Blondell shines as always. I don't think I'll give too much of the plot away if I mention that her character's name in the film is Lady Fingers. Watch her work them! This lady knows what she's doing.
Karl Malden is captured on film one more time; karling just right, as one would expect him to do.
Rip Torn smolders like nobody's business.
Steve McQueen stars. I don't think it's his fault that everybody calls him Kid although he's obviously a man.
Tuesday Weld plays the girl.
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