The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)

A strung-out junkie deals with a demoralizing drug addiction while his crippled wife and card sharks pull him down.

Director:

Otto Preminger

Writers:

Walter Newman (screenplay), Lewis Meltzer (screenplay)

Stars:

Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Eleanor Parker

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Frank Sinatra	...	Frankie Machine
Eleanor Parker	...	Zosh Machine
Kim Novak	...	Molly
Arnold Stang	...	Sparrow
Darren McGavin	...	Louie
Robert Strauss	...	Schwiefka
John Conte	...	Drunky
Doro Merande	...	Vi
George E. Stone	...	Sam Markette
George Mathews	...	Williams
Leonid Kinskey	...	Dominiwski
Emile Meyer	...	Detective Bednar

Storyline

Frankie Machine is a skilled card dealer and one-time heroin addict. When he returns home from jail, he struggles to find a new livelihood and to avoid slipping back into addiction.

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Plot Keywords:

card game | drug addict | drug withdrawal | card dealer | heroin | 

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Taglines:

An unusual motion picture

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

A poster for director Otto Preminger's Carmen Jones (1954) is prominently featured on the building across the street from the saloon during the opening scene.

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Goofs

When Frankie returns to his apartment after his release, the top edge of the set and the studio lights are clearly visible as the camera pans across the room.

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Quotes

Frankie Machine: There was a forty pound monkey on my back.

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Connections

Referenced in Daddy-O (1958)

User Reviews

Solid Drama, & An Acting Triumph For Sinatra

A solid drama to begin with, "The Man With the Golden Arm" is particularly worthwhile for Frank Sinatra's performance as Frankie Machine. The movie was well-conceived, and it would probably have been worth seeing with any decent lead, but Sinatra makes it even better. The story is interesting and at times compelling, as Frankie struggles against himself and his circumstances.

The story is told from the viewpoint of its era, yet the basic elements are timeless enough that the story still holds up very well. The details of Frankie's situation are less important than the general themes of him battling his own desires while also contending against "friends" who simply want to use him for their own purposes.

Sinatra was good at this kind of role, as a character with his own inner demons who must also face hostile surroundings. He channels his nervous energy into expressions and gestures that convey well what is going on inside him. The actor Sinatra deserves to be remembered for roles like this one and his roles in "The Manchurian Candidate" and "From Here to Eternity", rather than for the insubstantial 'Rat Pack' features.

The supporting cast have simpler roles, but they do their jobs satisfactorily. The story moves at a good pace, and it is complemented by an Elmer Bernstein score which, though sometimes jarring, is appropriate. The combination works well as a whole.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 March 1956 (Canada)

Also Known As:

The Man with the Golden Arm

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Otto Preminger Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1