Cards, Cards, Everywhere
By Alex J Coyne © Great Bridge Links
If you’re as passionate about playing cards as the rest of us at Gifts for Card Players, you might eventually start to spot playing cards in all sorts of weird places. What’s your favorite playing card reference from a film, TV series, video game or song? Check out these and tell us about yours in the comments…
Jack of Diamonds
Starring Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson, Seven Psychopaths follows the story of a writer working on a new screenplay. Marty is convinced to make a real case, that of the Jack of Diamonds killer, in his script. Unfortunately, that’s about all we can say about the movie without giving away too much of the plot…
American McGee’s Alice
There are many re-tellings of Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, but none quite like American McGee’s Alice. This video game (originally released in 2000) takes the player through Alice’s return to Wonderland after she is released from a mental institution, where she finds a much darker and more twisted landscape than she remembers. Of course, the Chershire Cat, the Queen of Hearts and Playing Cards make their appearance throughout the game, but certainly not as anyone remembers them! American McGee’s Alice received praise for its unique and dark interpretation of the Wonderland setting, as well as its engaging gameplay and atmospheric presentation. It spawned a sequel, “Alice: Madness Returns,” released in 2011, which continued Alice’s story in a similarly twisted version of Wonderland.
The original game was released for PC in 2000 and was later re-released as part of “Alice: Madness Returns – The Complete Collection” in 2011, which includes both American McGee’s Alice and its sequel, Alice: Madness Returns. This collection is available on various platforms, including PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.
The Royal Flush Gang
The Royal Flush Gang first appeared in 1966, in issue number 43 of Justice League of America. You might’ve been able to guess why they’re called that: The villains that comprise the RFG are all code-named after playing cards. There are several incarnations of the RFG throughout the DC Universe, the first 1966-version led by Amos Fortune (as Ace).
The Joker
The Joker first appeared in 1940, and also happens to belong the DC Universe. Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, The Joker can be called the Trickster of the DC Universe – even, possibly, akin to the Tarot card of The Fool. In live film and TV versions, the Joker has been portrayed by Cesar Romero, Mark Hamill, Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger and, more recently, Jared Leto for Suicide Squad. You can check out the entire history of The Joker from ScreenRant, over here: http://screenrant.com/complete-history-of-the-joker/?view=all
Sometimes They Come Back…Again
This little horror movie gem starring Hilary Swank is a sequel to, you guessed it, Sometimes They Come Back (1991). The sequel was released in 1996, and it deserves a worthy mention for this scene – featuring a killer deck of tarot cards flinging through the air – because why the hell not? You can spot the scene over here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fw48Y-yXAE
Music
Need more? Check out some of these songs about playing cards and gambling …
Jokerman – Bob Dylan
Ace of Spades – Motorhead
The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
The Jack – AC/DC
The Dealer – Leonard Cohen
Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton
Bad Card – Bob Marley
Gambling Blues – ‘Lil Son Jackson (though made famous by Rory Gallagher)
Gambling Woman Blues – Sonny Boy Williamson
PHOTO: Carnival fool, Villach, Austria
