Ace in the hole
(DVD)

Special features (disc 2) : "Portrait of a 60% perfect man", featurette (includes in-depth interviews with Wilder by film critic Michel Ciment (60 min.)) ; excerpts from a 1986 appearance by Wilder at the American Film Institute (24 min.); a 1984 interview with Douglas by Michael Thomas (14 min.); excerpts from a 1970 audio interview with co-scriptwriter Newman (10 min.); new video afterword by filmmaker Spike Lee (6 min.); gallery of production stills and behind-the-scenes photos.

Program notes on container insert include an essay "Noir in broad daylight" by writer and film critic Molly Haskell, and an essay "Chin up for mother" on actor Kirk Douglas by director Guy Maddin.

Special features (disc 1) : optional audio commentary by film scholar Neil Sinyard ; Theatrical trailer (2 min.).

Originally produced as a motion picture in 1951.

Director of photography, Charles B. Lang, Jr.; editing, Arthur Schmidt ; music, Hugo Friedhofer.

Kirk Douglas, Jan Sterling, Bob Arthur, Porter Hall, Frank Cady, Richard Benedict, Ray Teal, Frank Jaquet.

An early look at the impact of mass media in the public arena, featuring the story of a cynical and manipulative journalist. When a man is trapped alive in a mine collapse, an amoral, down-on-his-luck reporter takes over and prolongs the rescue effort in order to make a name for himself.

DVD, region 1, NTSC, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby digital mono.

Closed-captioned.

National Board of Review Award for Best Actress (Sterling).