Everything about The Man With The Golden Arm totally explained
The Man with the Golden Arm is a
1955 film, based on the novel by
Nelson Algren, which tells the story of a
heroin addict who got clean while in prison but struggles to stay straight in the outside world. It stars
Frank Sinatra,
Eleanor Parker,
Kim Novak,
Arnold Stang and
Darren McGavin.
Adapted for the screen by
Walter Newman,
Lewis Meltzer and
Ben Hecht (uncredited) from the novel by
Nelson Algren,
The Man With the Golden Arm was directed by
Otto Preminger and nominated for three
Academy Awards:
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Frank Sinatra),
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White and
Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. Sinatra was also nominated for best actor awards by the
BAFTAs and The
New York Film Critics.
The film was controversial for its time; the
Motion Picture Association of America refused to certify the film because it shows
drug addiction. The film was released without the MPAA's seal of approval, a maverick approach that no doubt bolstered the film's mainstream appeal. This sparked a change in production codes, allowing movies more freedom to more deeply explore hitherto taboo subjects such
drugs abuse,
kidnapping,
abortion and
prostitution.
Frank Sinatra -- who jumped at a chance to star in the film before reading the entire script -- actually spent time at drug rehabilitation clinics observing addicts going cold turkey. The script for the film landed on the desk of
Marlon Brando around the same time as it did Sinatra; he still harboured some anger at Brando since he'd outdone Sinatra for the lead-role in
On the Waterfront.
Now, in
public domain because of missing copyright indication.
Plot
Frankie Machine has been released from prison and arrives back home complete with drum-kit and a new outlook on life. A former heroin addict, Machine is now clean after doing time and can walk the streets he once haunted, with his head held high greeting friends who welcome him with open arms for various reasons -- Sparrow, Frankie's friend who runs a con selling homeless dogs, clings to him like a young brother, but Schwiefka, who Frankie used to deal for in his card game, has more sinister reasons for welcoming him back, as does Louis, the drug dealer who once supplied Machine with heroin.
Frankie soon heads home to see his wife Zosh, who is chair-bound after a car crash some years ago. Over-protective, Zosh smothers Frankie in spite of his desire to make something of himself -- he's a name on a piece of paper and thinks he's what it takes to play drums for a big band. While calling to make an appointment he bumps into an old flame, Molly.
Frankie soon gets himself a try-out and asks Sparrow to get him a new suit, but the suit is stolen and Machine ends up back in a cell where he's visited by Schwiefka who offers to pay the bail. Machine refuses, but soon changes his mind as the sight of a drug-addict on the edge becomes too much for him. Now, to repay the debt, Machine must deal for Schwiefka again, and with no job and Zosh to please, pressure is bearing down on him from all corners, not to mention Louis, who is pushing heroin on him yet again.
Soon Machine succumbs and is back on the drugs and dealing marathon, all-night, card games for Schwiefka. Ironically, Machine once again gets a try-out as a drummer, but with 24 hours spent dealing and desperately needing a fix, Machine follows Louis home, attacks him and steals enough heroin to calm his nerves. At the try-out, however, Frankie gets the jitters and ruins his chance, all the while Louis is with Zosh looking for him -- here, Louis discovers that Zosh has been faking her paralysis and can actually walk. Zosh, scared of being found out, pushes Louis down the stairs to his death, but things backfire when the blame is put on Frankie, who is now wanted for murder.
Frankie has no other option but turn to Molly, who says that he must go
cold turkey if he's to stand a chance with the police. Frankie agrees and is locked in Molly's apartment where he goes through a grueling ordeal to clean his system of the drugs. Then, he decides to tell Zosh his intentions to leave her, start anew and plead innocent of all charges -- but Zosh once again gives herself away, standing up in front of Frankie and the police, who are shocked and surprised. She runs, but can get no further than the outside balcony where she falls to her death. Frankie is now clear and clean again, and with Molly, they walk away together... a new start at last for the man with the golden arm.
Critical Reception
The Man with the Golden Arm earned $4,100,000 in rentals at the North American
box office and the critical reception was just as strong, with
Variety stating that: "Otto Preminger's
The Man with the Golden Arm is a feature that focuses on addiction to narcotics. Clinical in its probing of the agonies, this is a gripping, fascinating film, expertly produced and directed and performed with marked conviction by Frank Sinatra as the drug slave."
Title Sequence and Soundtrack
The movie opens with one of the most famous, influential and controversial
title sequences in movie history, the animated paper cut-out of a heroin addict's arm, designed and conceived by
Saul Bass as a means of creating much more than a mere title-sequence, but something that actually enhances the viewer's experience of the film by contributing to a mood built within the opening moments of a film. Bass would go on to create memorable title-sequences for more renowned films, notably for
Alfred Hitchcock for films such as
Vertigo,
North by Northwest and
Psycho.
Similarly, the film's soundtrack was a landmark in film history, being hitherto one of the most creative and inventive jazz scores heard in a major motion picture; it followed on somewhat from the score provided by
Alex North for
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951).
Jet Harris released the theme as single in 1963 and
Sweet has covered the theme song for their album
Desolation Boulevard.
Cultural References
In the video game
The Darkness, this film can be watched on an old television set in a shopping cart, found early in the game in a subway station.
Ministry uses samples from this film in their song "
Just One Fix".
Miss Kitten a french DJ and Songwriter produced a song called
Frank Sinatra in cooperation with
The Hacker. For the video she used a "
Medley" of Scenes from "The Man with the golden arm". It soon became a famous club anthem.
Academy Awards
Further Information
Get more info on 'The Man With The Golden Arm'.
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