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A Hole in the Head (1959)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
15 July 1959 (USA) moreTagline:
The most wonderful entertainment in the whole wide wonderful world!Plot:
An impractical widower tries to hang onto his Miami hotel and his 12-year-old son. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 3 nominations moreUser Comments:
There is Better Carpra, Sinatra, and Robinson Out There moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Frank Sinatra | ... | Tony Manetta | |
| Edward G. Robinson | ... | Mario Manetta | |
| Eleanor Parker | ... | Eloise Rogers | |
| Carolyn Jones | ... | Shirl | |
| Thelma Ritter | ... | Sophie Manetta | |
| Keenan Wynn | ... | Jerry Marks | |
| Joi Lansing | ... | Dorine | |
| Connie Sawyer | ... | Miss Wexler | |
| James Komack | ... | Julius Manetta (as Jimmy Komack) | |
| Dub Taylor | ... | Fred (the clerk) | |
| George DeWitt | ... | Mendy Yales | |
| Benny Rubin | ... | Abe Diamond | |
| Ruby Dandridge | ... | Sally | |
| B.S. Pully | ... | Hood | |
| Joyce Nizzari | ... | Alice (Jerry's secretary) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
120 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Nearly all of the characters' names were changed from the original play. moreGoofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Ally is shown running back along the street calling for his father at the end, in the distance the taxi is seen making a U-turn while a large crowd of onlookers stand on the streets behind it, obviously watching the scene being filmed. moreQuotes:
Fred: Life is just a bowl of cherriesTony Manetta: Why
Fred: I don't know. I ain't a philosopher!
more
Soundtrack:
ALL MY TOMORROWS moreFAQ
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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for A Hole in the Head (1959)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Catalina Island? | martini-29 |
| The original version | iss246 |
| Keyword: Annoying! | SWestDave |
| Filming locations | Doug-169 |
| Clairvoyant Disney World Prediction? | robert48-1 |
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Read all my reviews at www.midnitcafe.blogspot.com
I received A Hole in the Head for my birthday in a Frank Sinatra double pack with the original Manchurian Candidate. I had put off watching it because it did not seem like a movie I would particularly enjoy. But in my quest to watch and review all of my movies, I had no choice but to put it in the player. Of course the fact that my wife wanted to watch it prompted me a little further even to the point of watching it out of alphabetical order.
Frank Capra is the great godfather of sentimental movies. Many of these are deservedly hailed by fans and critics. From Mr Smith Goes to Washington to It's a Wonderful Life Capra made movies about the little guys fighting the system and coming out on top. These movies are sentimental enough to be dubbed "Capracorn" by the system, but are handled with masterful hands that rise above the schmaltz created by so many others. Besides little guys he also flooded his movies with eccentric characters standing out in a world full or normal folk. Arsenic and Old Lace and You Can't Take it With You are standouts of this form. Sadly, A Hole in the Head tries to mix both of these Capra types and fails on both accounts.
The film is the second to last picture ever made by Capra and was the beginning of an attempted comeback from a few years break from making Hollywood pictures. But instead of a comeback this film serves only to remind us of what Capra used to be. Frank Sinatra plays a down on his luck big dreamer who is about to be evicted from his hotel business in Miami, Florida. He calls up his brother, Edward G Robinson and sister-in-law Thelma Ritter for help pretending his son is sick. Robinson and wife quickly head down from New York to see what's going on. Hilarity and sentimentality ensue. Swinging Sinatra butts heads with button down Robinson until a quick ending and easy solution are found.
The performances of the stars are fine. At this point in their careers Sinatra and Robinson are essentially playing themselves. Although Sinatra is more up and coming to the declining Robinson. There are some good jokes and the simple story is fair enough as it is. Capra fills Sinatra's hotel with an odd collection of eccentrics that seem to have no other purpose but to fill up some time and tell a few jokes. The ending of the movie seems tied on and creates changes to some characters without any real provocation. The cheese factor is high even for a Capra film and it's not subdued by any superb performances. The drama is not elevated above the schlock you would see in a made for TV movie.
The stand out of the film is Sinatra and son singing the classic "High Hopes." Being a fan of Sinatra more as a singer than actor this amusing break in the middle of the picture helped keep my hopes up for a decent picture. Those hopes were not shattered, nor were they completely fulfilled. For beginners of "Capracorn" you should pick out some of his earlier, superior films. But for a lonely night in need of some corny sentiment, this is some fluffy candy that just might fill.
More reviews at www.midnitcafe.blogspot.com