A Hole in the Head (1959)

An impractical widower tries to hang onto his Miami hotel and his 12-year-old son.

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Arnold Schulman (screenplay), Arnold Schulman (play)

Stars:

Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, Eleanor Parker

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

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
George DeWitt	...	Mendy Yales
Benny Rubin	...	Abe Diamond
Ruby Dandridge	...	Sally
B.S. Pully	...	Hood
Joyce Nizzari	...	Alice

Storyline

Tony Manetta runs an unsuccessful Miami hotel, on which he can't meet the payments. Another liability is his weakness for dames (Shirl, his sexy current flame, is even less responsible than Tony). But a solid asset is Ally, his sensible 12-year-old son. When Tony wants stolid brother Mario to bail him out again, Mario makes conditions: give up Ally, or at least get married to a "nice, quiet little woman" of his selection. Tony and Ally just play along to be diplomatic, but when the woman in question proves to look like Eleanor Parker...

---

Plot Keywords:

motel | greyhound racing | father son relationship | liar | based on play

---

Taglines:

The most wonderful entertainment in the whole wide wonderful world!

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Official Sites:

Tribute Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eine Nummer zu groß

Filming Locations:

Cardozo Hotel - 1300 Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

SinCap Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway production of "A Hole in the Head" by Arnold Schulman opened at the Plymouth Theater on February 28, 1957, ran for 156 performances and closed July 13, 1957. The cast included Paul Douglas, David Burns, Lee Grant, Kay Medford and Joyce Van Patten.

---

Goofs

At night at the kennel club, the lights over the bleachers go dark before the dog race starts, yet the shots of Tony and Jerry talking are still brightly lit.

---

Quotes

Tony Manetta: ...but like good ole Adam, my weakness is Eves. My current Eve is a Lulu. She woulda made the serpent eat the apple.

---

Crazy Credits

The title and the names of Frank Capra and the leading actors appear as an aerial advertisement attached to the Goodyear blimp.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Rosebud (1993)

---

Soundtracks

"Shirl's Theme (Cha-Cha)"
(1959) (uncredited)
Written by Nelson Riddle
Performed by Carolyn Jones

User Reviews

What a wonderful film...funny and touching.

I find it hard to believe that some critics dismiss this film as one of Frank Capra's lesser films. It's wonderful. Frank Sinatra is in top form as "the loser with big dreams" and portrays his role as father with great sensitivity. The movie's greatest scenes occur when Edward G. Robinson and Sinatra appear together...they are hilarious. Thelma Ritter is perfect as the sister-in-law, and Carolyn Jones plays the cooky girlfriend with an interestingly strange edge. The supporting cast is flawless (watch for the character "Sally"!) and all blend well to create a lighthearted, comical, but poignant story. I can't stress the comical effectiveness between Edward G Robinson and Sinatra enough...they should have made more films together! This movie is one of my all time favorites and I show it often to many people, never receiving a negative response. It's one of those that can be viewed over and over. Give it a chance...I doubt you'll be disappointed. Send me some comments! (Watch for Edward G Robinson's reaction as he sits in a "crazy" rocking chair!!!....and listen to the dialogue...just great!!!!)