Ever since the dawn of cinematic releases, directors and producers have tried to emulate a variety of different era on the silver screen. Ranging from the height of the Roman Empire, to the soulful 1970’s, audiences have become engrossed with plotlines and characters to take them away from reality.
A reoccurring theme throughout these period films is the casino industry – with many of the movie’s characters being involved in high staking card games or situations where they have to take a gamble.
To pay homage to the changing faces of the gambler, Ladbrokes Casino are offering you the chance to find out which era you’d be from by answering their fun quiz!
Just so you have an idea of what the time periods are like, here are a few on-screen depictions.
The Bootlegger – Cincinnati Kid (1965)
The Cincinnati Kid is an amazingly accurate portrayal of the 1930s poker scene with Steve McQueen plays the Cincinnati Kid, with Edward G. Robinson taking a stunning turn as Lancey ‘The Man’ Howard.
Set in the era of the Prohibition speakeasy, the atmosphere and culture of high stakes poker makes for a tense final scene, in which the Cincinnati Kid takes on The Man in a game of poker. The scene is beautifully crafted, accurately capturing the rising tensions of a real life poker game.
However, the film highlights some of the real bootlegging dangers associated with gambling at the time, taking away the hope and romance seen in more modern day periods.
The Swinger – Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
After been frozen for 30 years in pursuit of Dr Evil, there is no surprise Austin Powers still lives by his the swinger values he had in the 1960’s. The character created by Mike Myers mocks the traditional secret agent typecast and the Powers trilogy have all become cult films with movie buffs.
It is during his casino face-off with Number Two where Powers is seen at his very best, rebuffing the chance of twisting during a game of blackjack, despite only have a three and a two in front of him.
After seeing his enemy scoring the perfect pontoon score, The International Man of Mystery quips “I also like to live dangerously” when refusing another card before going on to lose the hand and his massive sake.
The Player – The Hangover (2009)
Mayhem is rife throughout Todd Phillips’ 2009 film, as three men lose the groom to be during his bachelor party in Las Vegas. The comedy epic has everything from kidnapped tigers to drunken weddings and even a cameo appearance from Mike Tyson!
But it is in Caesars Palace where the epitome characteristics of the Player are seen, with Alan trying to raise $80,000 on the Blackjack table. The trio keep cool, calm and collected as their kitty rises higher, but are smart enough to quit whilst they are ahead and have the amount needed.
