William Brighenti How can a film fail with nine great actors and actresses! Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards, Paul Ford, Charles Bickford, Burgess Meredith, Kevin McCarthy, Robert Middleton, John Qualen; and there are other fine, if not great, performances by other actors and actresses in the movie as well.My personal favorite performances in this movie are rendered by Jason Robards, Paul Ford, Burgess Meredith, and Kevin McCarthy. I loved the scene when Robards returns home and offers his future son- in-law an hilarious choice. But there are little touches that are unforgettable: when Burgess Meredith blows a kiss to the sensuous curvaceous entertainer, played by Marilyn Powell, while singing seductively and enticingly, "My Little Poesy", to banjo music, no less. It doesn't get any better than this!"How many good women have you met in your life?" Only McCarthy dares to answer Circe's riddle: "one."

Indyrod Finally got to watch this recently released DVD (which is beautiful) from the 1966 classic, with an all star cast including, Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Burgess Meredith, Jason Robards, and many others. I call it a classic, because it is the third best poker movie ever made, with only "The Cincinnati Kid" and "Rounders" topping it. There are some movies we come across in our lifetimes, that we just love. There's no other word for it, than love. This is a movie I love, because the story is so damn good it makes me smile every time I watch it, which is often. I've been playing poker my whole life it seems, and now I am playing even more often. I saw this movie at the theaters, I really did, and it totally blew me away, with a reveal that I can't even give a clue about or the movie would be ruined for anybody caring enough to check it out. It is definitely one of my favorite movies of all time, and for poker players, all I can say is what the hell are you waiting on, this is the real deal, so to speak.

bkoganbing A Big Hand For The Little Lady takes place in Laredo, Texas circa the turn of the last century. The film actually dates itself because a couple of current record cylinders are played, Ma Blushin' Rosie and Hello My Baby both of which came out around 1900. Anyway a big annual event in this town is when five of the big movers and shakers of the community get together for a big no holds barred poker game. The big five are Jason Robards, Jr., Charles Bickford, Kevin McCarthy, Robert Middleton, and John Qualen.After the game gets going with the whole town just hanging on word of every hand, a very tired trio of pilgrims, Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, and their child Gerald Michenaud arrive in town. They are a sorry trio, especially Fonda who would be a candidate for Gamblers Anonymous if such a thing existed in 1900. Fonda just asks if he could watch, kind of like Arthur O'Connell who hasn't got the price of favors at the bordello in There Was A Crooked Man, but the madam allows him a little fun at the keyhole for old time's sake.Kevin McCarthy is the one who takes pity on him and in fact this is the first but not the last time he shows gallantry as a true Southern gentleman. A Big Hand For The Little Lady is a film that's almost impossible to write about without giving away anything. I absolutely dare not go any further in talking about it.But what A Big Hand For The Little Lady is is that it is a really original idea for a western comedy that I defy anyone to watch without enjoying it. It's not got the rough house type humor that Burt Kennedy or John Ford do in their films, but there are laughs a plenty.This film turned out to be the farewell appearance on the big screen for Charles Bickford one of the best and most durable character actors the screen ever saw. He's kind of subdued in the film, my guess is that health problems were starting to overtake him. Still he fits the gruff part he has perfectly.It's a fine film with a surprise twist that beats all.

fimimix After an extremely frustrating evening, I stumbled onto TCM's presentation of "A Big Hand for the Little Lady". WOW ! what a pleasure it was to see a wonderful movie I've been looking for, for a long time.This movie has everything a movie needs. I truly can't understand how some users thought it was too long, and was "slow". It does take time for all the characters - with such a stellar cast ! - to be developed, and the story to build, you know ! Does everything HAVE to happen all at once? AND, I don't think those guys who say the plot-twists were obvious......sure fooled me ! Fielder Cook (TV-director or not) got the best performances out of his cast, from the brilliant script by Sidney Carroll. Henry Fonda ("Meredith") and Joanne Woodward ("Mary") headed a cast to die for and played their roles with total conviction. Jason Robards, Paul Ford, Charles Bickford, Burgess Meredith, Kevin MacCarthy, Robert Middleton and John Qualen, et al, were as good as a cast can be - everyone delivering solid characters.Shame on those users who wrote too much and gave-away the plot. This is a film to enjoy - get involved in - every minute. Nothing is wasted in this production. It should be in every collection, even ones for families. I'm looking for it, beginning right now. I rate it as 20.This movie is one of those which deserves to be given another release, with all the hoopla - Bravo!