A largely forgotten gem is Meet Danny Wilson, a musical drama with Frank Sinatra. He's an aspiring singer with a partner who plays the piano. But there's a story there, as to how the partner's health is failing. Through a new acquaintance they make in costar Shelley Winters, they get a break and audition for a nightclub, owned by Raymond Burr, who's, of course, on the shady side. Ray knows a good thing when he hears it and only agrees to let him perform in his club if they agree to let him have a percentage for all future income, all future income. His partner doesn't like it, but Frank doesn't care. He doesn't know what he's doing when he makes a promise to Raymond Burr. (There's no signed contract, because Ray doesn't need one; he holds people to their word.) Shelley Winters is Ray's girl, but Frank takes a liking to her and she to Frank's partner. Oh boy! Such is the dramatic content of the picture, with Ray being possessive of his part of Frank and the love triangle, which is almost superfluous to the music. Every song sung here is a highlight, a bluesy one in jail, a duet between Frank and Shelley, and others. There were no new songs written for this film, but the standards sung are worth the price of admission themselves. Miss Frank Sinatra as Danny Wilson and you miss one of the best crooners ever in action and being chased by Raymond Burr!
Review of Meet Danny Wilson
