Ace in the Hole

Date: 1951
Director: Billy Wilder
Production Company: Paramount Pictures

Stars: Kirk Douglas, Jan Sterling, Robert Arthur
Location(s): New Mexico (USA)

Storyline:

A washed up big-city journalist finds work on a small time newspaper and exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave, but the situation escalates into a media circus.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

Also known as ‘The Big Carnival’ (US reissue title)

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Former New York newspaper man Charles 'Chuck' Tatum (Kirk Douglas) is towed into Albuquerque, New Mexico after his car breaks down.

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Tatum's destination, the offices of small town newspaper The Albuquerque Sun Bulletin. The intersection of Pacific Avenue and Market Street in Los Angeles, California.

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The down and out journalist gets out of his car.

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Tatum enters the offices where he talks his way into a job.

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'Chuck' Tatum and junior reporter Herbie Cook head into the desert to cover a story about a rattlesnake hunt. Alongside Route I-40, New Mexico near the border with Arizona.

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The pair pull up outside Minosa's Trading Post in Escudero. Route I-40, New Mexico. At the time of filming, the road was part of Route 66.

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07 Jul 2014

Tatum and Herbie follow as a Police car heads towards an old Indian Cliff Dwelling. On the Arizona / New Mexico border along Route I-40.

Bill Rukeyser has replaced the Google image with this shot he took from the New Mexican Highway and gave us the GPS location as well. (RL)

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Sensing a 'chance in a lifetime' story after learning of Leo Minosa being trapped after a cave in, Tatum speaks with the Deputy Sheriff (Gene Evans), Lorraine Minosa (Jan Sterling) and Papa Minosa (John Berkes). TCM advises that this is a set built around 15 miles west of Gallup, New Mexico, USA.

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As Tatum's spin gathers pace, tourists queue to enter the site. Just off Route I-40 about 15 to 20 miles west of Gallup.

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More spectators arrive by train to visit the Mountain of the Seven Vultures. The railway line runs parallel with Route I-40 at this point. New Mexico, USA.

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When it becomes clear that Leo is about to die after being trapped for many days, Tatum drives to find a Priest. Craig Cooper identifies this as approaching the Catholic Church in Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico. The location is just East of Grants, and full details can be found on the Laguna Mission website. (RL)

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Tatum arrives at Father Diegos' church. The Laguna Mission church dedicated to St. Joseph and built in 1699 and remains to this day. Craig Cooper walked up the steps some years ago during the Laguna Fall Festival in September when traditional dancing and carnival draw residents from miles around. Craig adds that the interior of the church is exquisitely painted. (RL)

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Father Diegos (Lester Dorr) and Tatum leave for Escudero. San Jose Mission, Laguna, New Mexico identified on The Movie District web site and confirmed by Craig Cooper. (RL)

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After Leo Minosa dies because of Tatum's determination, Herbie Cook (Robert Arthur) drives him back to the newspaper offices.