The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
If you only see one Frank Sinatra movie in your lifetime, watch The Man with the Golden Arm. Not only was it the best performance of his acting career, but Frankie himself always felt he should have won his Oscar for this film, instead of From Here to Eternity. I wholeheartedly agree.
Frankie plays “Frankie Machine”, a former heroin addict and card dealer who returns to his hometown after a stint in jail. While he’s been away, his wheelchair-bound wife, Eleanor Parker, has been taken care of by his drug dealer, Darren McGavin, who expects Frankie to show his gratitude now that he’s returned. But Frankie wants a new life, a clean life. As he struggles to fight intense temptation, he learns how hard it is to stay sober.
Kim Novak is fantastically beautiful, and I get more out of her performance every time I watch this movie. Her expressions when she looks at Frankie speak volumes. Darren McGavin, best known for his bumbling, laughable performance in A Christmas Story, plays a wonderful villain: slimy, motivated, and convincing as he pretends to care. Eleanor Parker is unrecognizable in her haggard, desperate role. I watched The Sound of Music for the hundredth time and asked my mom, “Eleanor Parker was so pretty. Did she make any other movies?” My mom said, “She was in a movie you love: The Man with the Golden Arm!” My response was, “She was? What part did she play?” That says everything.
Frankie plays “Frankie Machine”, a former heroin addict and card dealer who returns to his hometown after a stint in jail. While he’s been away, his wheelchair-bound wife, Eleanor Parker, has been taken care of by his drug dealer, Darren McGavin, who expects Frankie to show his gratitude now that he’s returned. But Frankie wants a new life, a clean life. As he struggles to fight intense temptation, he learns how hard it is to stay sober.
Kim Novak is fantastically beautiful, and I get more out of her performance every time I watch this movie. Her expressions when she looks at Frankie speak volumes. Darren McGavin, best known for his bumbling, laughable performance in A Christmas Story, plays a wonderful villain: slimy, motivated, and convincing as he pretends to care. Eleanor Parker is unrecognizable in her haggard, desperate role. I watched The Sound of Music for the hundredth time and asked my mom, “Eleanor Parker was so pretty. Did she make any other movies?” My mom said, “She was in a movie you love: The Man with the Golden Arm!” My response was, “She was? What part did she play?” That says everything.
Sometimes composers write themes within a film for specific characters, like in Ben-Hur or The Best Years of Our Lives. In Elmer Bernstein’s fantastic score, Temptation itself is given a theme. Once you’ve heard the music to The Man with the Golden Arm, you’ll never forget it. Combined with Otto Preminger’s wonderfully rugged and classy directing style, whenever the music starts, you’ll get goosebumps as the scene of temptation plays out. The story is heart-breaking and incredibly real.
Nowadays, making movies about drugs isn’t a novelty. Showing the use of heroin doesn’t even shock audiences anymore. In 1955, during the reign of the Hays Code, a movie like this just wasn’t made. In fact, it wasn’t granted a seal of approval and wasn’t allowed to be shown in some movie theaters during the release. Although there’s no escaping the classic feel of Otto Preminger’s masterpiece, it’s just as gruesome and realistic as if it were made today. Drug use is shown, as well as the ungodly horrors of withdrawals. Every time I watch it, I still can’t believe it was made in 1955—so groundbreaking!
I’ve said before that this was Frank Sinatra’s best performance, but in fact, it’s one of the best screen performances of all time. Watch it. I’m sure you’ll agree.
Kiddy warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to some drug use and adult content, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Frank Sinatra movies here!
Nowadays, making movies about drugs isn’t a novelty. Showing the use of heroin doesn’t even shock audiences anymore. In 1955, during the reign of the Hays Code, a movie like this just wasn’t made. In fact, it wasn’t granted a seal of approval and wasn’t allowed to be shown in some movie theaters during the release. Although there’s no escaping the classic feel of Otto Preminger’s masterpiece, it’s just as gruesome and realistic as if it were made today. Drug use is shown, as well as the ungodly horrors of withdrawals. Every time I watch it, I still can’t believe it was made in 1955—so groundbreaking!
I’ve said before that this was Frank Sinatra’s best performance, but in fact, it’s one of the best screen performances of all time. Watch it. I’m sure you’ll agree.
Kiddy warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to some drug use and adult content, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Frank Sinatra movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Actor of 1955: Frank Sinatra
Hot Toasty Rag Nominatons:
Best Picture
Best Director: Otto Preminger
Best Supporting Actress: Eleanor Parker
Best Dramatic Screenplay
Best Musical Score: Elmer Bernstein
Best Actor of 1955: Frank Sinatra
Hot Toasty Rag Nominatons:
Best Picture
Best Director: Otto Preminger
Best Supporting Actress: Eleanor Parker
Best Dramatic Screenplay
Best Musical Score: Elmer Bernstein