Customer Reviews

Man With The Golden Arm

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Viewing this film is like lifting a rock to see what has been existing under its dark weight, and from the stylish Saul Bass titles and jazzy Elmer Bernstein score, it is a riveting film, with a brilliant, intense Sinatra performance.

As an ex-con trying to beat a heroin addiction, "Frankie" (Sinatra) slips back into his old habits and friends upon release from prison, and is chained to a guilt-based relationship with Eleanor Parker, who is excellent as "Zosch", a woman who manipulates from her wheelchair, blaming "Frankie" for her fate, and resenting his friendship with "Molly", beautifully played by the gorgeous Kim Novak, who exudes vulnerability and a soft, sweet soul.

Well written from the Nelson Algren novel, and visually interesting with superb b&w cinematography by Sam Leavitt, the details of the costuming are also worth noting...I love Molly's old threadbare chenille bathrobe...and like much of the clothes in the film, looking like it was bought in a thrift shop.

I don't find this 1955 film dated at all; its themes and "types" are timeless and occur in every class and level of society, and the characters can be found in the Bowery or Beverly Hills.

The film was nominated in three Oscar categories: Best Actor (losing to Ernest Borgnine in another gritty film, "Marty"), Best Art Direction/Set Decoration ("The Rose Tattoo"), and Best Score (losing to the romantic "Love is a Many Splendored Thing").

Total running time is 119 minutes, and this film has been released under many labels in many grades, including some "cheapies" that are less than perfect in clarity and audio, but present a good value for the price.

Frank Sinatra received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for this performance, and its easy to see why. Playing a role that could have easily drifted into campish over-acting, Sinatra perfectly captures the desparation and hope that Frankie Machine felt as he was trying to get over an addiction that was obviously destroying him, physically and mentally.

Hollywood lore says that Sinatra visited a rehab clinic while preparing for this film in order to see what a herion addict going through withdrawal really looked (and acted) like. If true, it certainly must have given him an insight into a world that its impossible for most people to understand.

Judged against Sinatra's other film performances, this certainly has to rank as the best; the only other film roles that come close are Maggio in "From Here to Eternity" and "The Manchurian Candidate". Its this performance, however, and the despiration of a man who wants to take control of his life, but can't, that has to be at the top of the list.

In the end, Sinatra didn't win that Best Actor Oscar, losing out to Ernest Borgnine for his role in "Marty". After watching this movie, one wonders what more Frank could've done. As far as I'm concerned, he should'a won it.

I've not seen another release of this film; but I received it today, and I am highly disappointed. The transfer is awful, apparent right from the start. Titles are blurry. Scratches and dust are visible. The video compression is muddy. Speed seems off. Dolby 5.1 is okay at best. Strange green colors are visible, most likely from compression. It's odd to see green patches on clothing, etc., in a black and white film. The main discs is only 5.7 GB, so there was clearly no need for 2 discs. All of the remaining extras would have fit. The 2 disc edition is clearly, a marketing gimmic. Avoid purchasing. May be worth renting just for some of the limited extras.

This has got to be one of the best movies ever made which has depicted the heroin addict and his predicament. Frank Sinatra, in one of his earlier roles, plays the part of an ex-convict/drug addict who returns back to the "old neighborhood," and wants to "come clean," and pursue a career as a big band drummer, but he unfortunately comes face to face with the "dealer" (Darren McGavin) and things cook from there. McGavin is a wonderful portrayal of the neighborhood supplier who keeps baiting Sinatra and baiting him until the he cannot say no any longer. Coupled with his own domestic situation, which I dare not give away, but only to tell you that the ensemble cast which makes up this movie is outstanding. The soundtrack is pulsating and keeps your adrenaline moving upward, and that is one of the most unnerving parts of the film, and one which keeps you on the edge of your seat, as the saying goes. This could be classified as a family movie, as there is no sex, nudity, profanity, but only the theme of drug addiction, and a family could watch this film and discuss these issues in an enlightened way. Sinatra once said he thought he should've gotten an Oscar for this movie, and I agree. Highly recommended!!!

...the most prominent aspects of the movie - Sinatra's unquestionably great performance, Preminger's use of compelling camera angles, the prominently placed Berstein Jazz score, and Novak's performance. All of which are true and I agree that most of these combine to create a positive impression of this movie.

The best sequences in the movie involve Sinatra in the realm of men (and I mean Men as opposed to human) - when dealing the several day long card game while still trying to keep focused on the important audition Monday morning, the interchanges with the appealingly slimy heroin dealer (greasily played by Darrin McGavin in one of his best roles) while succumbing to the pull of the junkie, the failed musical audition, and the outstanding bit when he resolves to kick the habit cold-turkey. All of these were worth watching several times - thank God for chapter selections on DVD.

However, the movie is not perfect, and there are several things that can be readily cited as significant faults. The possessive and yet still possessed wife (Eleanor Parker) was a one-note performance: hysteria. Preminger needed to significantly pull back that character from the precipice that she fell off (long before she literally falls off). The first scene with her and Frankie upon his return home is the only one that was interesting and believable, all others were maudlin and overdone. She clearly had the acting chops to turn in a fascinating performance, as indicated by this first scene. Her character should have been one of the most pivotal in the movie, as she is the reason why Frankie returns and she inadvertently provides the key to his freedom when she gives herself up after killing the heroin dealer. As it is, scenes with her in it are mostly unwatchable.

The sycophantic toady friend of Frankie (Arnold Stang) was, I suppose, intended to be funny, but he is such an undeveloped stereotype as to be merely annoying. He greatly hindered my enjoyment of the movie.

Also the pacing at times really dragged at several points, most notably even during the great sequence with Sinatra kicking the habit. The rather long running time (119 minutes) could have been easily shortened by at least 20 minutes with some simple editing and tightening. Similarly, although the musical score was interesting and compelling - it tied in with Frankie's newly resolved ambition and nicely placed the movie among the heroin junkie jazz lifestyle of the time - it could have been much better utilized. One refrain in particular that recurs so often as to be annoying and at such a loud volume as to be distracting. It is a perfect example of how great music can be diminished by misapplication.

That all being said, these detractions do not so significantly reduce the movie that I would not heartily recommend it to my friends. Dated and imperfect it may be, but it is still compelling and immensely watchable - and not just for Sinatra nuts like myself.

As other reviews have focused on this fine ***** star movie, I'd like to just make a comment about THIS version. It's been a long time coming to finally get this pristine version on DVD. Not since the final days of LaserDisc when Warner's finally released a near perfect transfer of this movie, have I been waiting for them to do the same on DVD - and they did not disappoint (I tink it's actually the same transfer except this DVD is 1.85:1 and anamorphic wide screen - the original was academy ratio). This movie is actually in 'The Public Domain', that is, it is free to distribute and copy legally. So there are many versions of this movie floating around, often at the bargain bin of $5- or so... However this Warner's transfer is THE copy to get. If you want to experience the beautiful B&W photography of Sam Leavitt in chrystal clarity or the remastered sound with Elmer Bernstein's Jazz score, then do yourself a favor and purchase immediately, it will not disappoint!

Sinatra's performance is gritty, real, and as riveting as James Dean's acting. Amazing. The scenery and some of the character actors are very dated, but looked at as a 1955 film, it is extremely powerful. Kim Novak and Darren McGavin are also excellent. The jazz score is perfect.

This budget release from the little known Passport Collector's Edition label is on par with older catalogue titles from major companies such as MGM and Columbia. The transfer is first class in both video and audio fidelity. This looks and sounds damn good for a 45 year old movie. The extras are also well worth viewing. These include brief interviews with Sinatra himself, composer Elmer Bernstein,and a host of others. Trailers to some other FS movies such as From Here to Eternity and The Manchurian Candidate round out this impressive dvd.This will probably be the definitive version of this film classic for the forseeable future. Well worth its budget price of $8.99.

"The Man with the Golden Arm" is Frankie Machine (Frank Sinatra), just out of jail and back home in skid row. Frankie was arrested for being a dealer in an illegal card game, but beat his heroin habit in jail and vows to get a good job and stay clean. He returns to his clingy wife (Eleanor Parker), although he still carries a torch for his old girlfriend (Kim Novak). Lack of money and hope soon send Frankie back to dealing for the neighborhood boss (Darren McGavin) and to his old drug habit.

This cautionary tale of the horrors of drug abuse was the first to deal with the subject of addiction and was considered rather shocking when it was released in 1955. Compared to current films it is quite sanitized (the word "heroin" is never mentioned, Frankie beats his addiction in just a few hours, the street scenes are filmed on a set). But this is a terrific movie, thanks to the honest and touching performance of Frank Sinatra; he is simply wonderful in the role, which earned an Oscar nomination. We see him clean and hopeful and suffering the agony of withdrawal. The lovely Kim Novak is also memorable, giving her floozy character real depth with a heart and soul. This is a must-see for Sinatra fans; he gives one of his best screen performances.

Kona

"The Man with the Golden Arm" is probably Frank Sinatra's finest film. He plays Frankie Machine, a former heroin addict who was recently released from jail and is determined to stay clean. Frankie desperately wants to launch his musical career as a drummer, but his possessive, wheelchair-bound wife, Zosh (Eleanor Parker), smothers him and prevents him from making something of himself. Eventually Frankie encounters an old acquaintance, Schwiefka (Robert Strauss), who gets Frankie hooked on drugs again. After hitting rock bottom, Frankie finally turns to his old girlfriend, Molly (Kim Novak), for help getting clean.

This is a great movie with a lot of fantastic performances. Sinatra is amazing in his role, especially during the scenes where Frankie is going through withdrawal. Novak delivers a solid performance as the strong and compassionate Molly, and Parker is brilliant as Frankie's deranged wife. I should also mention the compelling jazz score by Elmer Bernstein, which enhances every moment of the story. There are a lot of interesting twists and turns in this film, and the ending is pretty shocking. Overall, "The Man with the Golden Arm" is an excellent film, and I think everyone will enjoy it.