"A Big Hand for the Little Lady," begins with credits rolling as we see a horse-driven hearse speed across a variety of Western landscapes. The area is central Texas, well north of "San Antone." Charles Bickford (as Benson Tropp) stops at two places to summon Jason Robards (as Henry Drummond) and then Kevin McCarthy (as Otto Habershaw) to join him. In each stop, a woman calls out after the fleeing man, pleading that he not go now, "not now." That is the only hint of comedy until well into the picture.
Yet, we viewers know that this is supposed to be a Western comedy, so we're on our toes waiting and watching for the humor. We get a dose of it in the characters around the room of the closed poker game. But, that belies a more clever comedy in this story. And, that may start to play out at different times for different viewers. For me and probably many others, that happens when Henry Fonda (as Meredith) shows his poker face as he picks up his cards one at a time with a huge pot on the table. It's so obvious that we realize something must be afoot. I think that's the biggest, most obvious poker face ever done in a movie.
This film isn't of the big laughs variety. Rather, it is a movie of clever scripting, some surface funny lines, and a deeper, entertaining plot. As other reviewers have done, I'll also refrain from giving it away. Except to say that I guessed the outcome correctly; but then enjoyed watching to see how it played out.
The cast for this film is outstanding. All give excellent performances. But, I think one stands out. Jason Robards is the classic cur in this film. He plays Henry so well that he's a delight to watch. His lines are among the funniest in the whole film. Toward the end of the film, Joanne Woodward (as Mary) says, "Gentlemen all. All such gallant gentlemen." Henry replies, "Well, we're gallant on Sunday. This is Friday and we're playing poker. Now you wanna play with us, you ante up $500."
This is a most enjoyable movie – fit for the whole family.
Yet, we viewers know that this is supposed to be a Western comedy, so we're on our toes waiting and watching for the humor. We get a dose of it in the characters around the room of the closed poker game. But, that belies a more clever comedy in this story. And, that may start to play out at different times for different viewers. For me and probably many others, that happens when Henry Fonda (as Meredith) shows his poker face as he picks up his cards one at a time with a huge pot on the table. It's so obvious that we realize something must be afoot. I think that's the biggest, most obvious poker face ever done in a movie.
This film isn't of the big laughs variety. Rather, it is a movie of clever scripting, some surface funny lines, and a deeper, entertaining plot. As other reviewers have done, I'll also refrain from giving it away. Except to say that I guessed the outcome correctly; but then enjoyed watching to see how it played out.
The cast for this film is outstanding. All give excellent performances. But, I think one stands out. Jason Robards is the classic cur in this film. He plays Henry so well that he's a delight to watch. His lines are among the funniest in the whole film. Toward the end of the film, Joanne Woodward (as Mary) says, "Gentlemen all. All such gallant gentlemen." Henry replies, "Well, we're gallant on Sunday. This is Friday and we're playing poker. Now you wanna play with us, you ante up $500."
This is a most enjoyable movie – fit for the whole family.