- Actors: Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Eleanor Parker, Arnold Stang, Darren McGavin
- Directors: Otto Preminger
- Format: PAL
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Whe Europe Limited
- DVD Release Date: 23 Feb 2004
- Run Time: 119 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0001KZNUG
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 129,355 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Product Description
A powerful drama starring Frank Sinartra as Frankie Machine, a skilled card dealer by profession who in life seems ot have been dealt a bad hand. Having just been released from jail the one time heroin addict was determined to go straight and keep clean but life is not easy for a man with a past. It isnt made easier by the fact that his wife, Zosh (Eleonor Parker) is a cripple and naturally nees a lot of attention but cant give Frankie the sort of attention he craves... that is something reserved for lover molly (kim novak).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I agree with the other reviewers as to the artistic merits of the film.
However this is an unacceptably poor quality DVD (I have had a similar bad experiences with another "Elstree Hill" product)- worse than my off-air VHS copy - do not buy it! It is a disgrace to Amazon!
However this is an unacceptably poor quality DVD (I have had a similar bad experiences with another "Elstree Hill" product)- worse than my off-air VHS copy - do not buy it! It is a disgrace to Amazon!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"The Man with the Golden Arm" is Frankie Machine (Frank Sinatra), just out of jail and back home in skid row. He beat his heroin habit while 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 cards for the neighbourhood boss (Darren McGavin) and to his old drug habit.
This was the first major film to deal with the subject of addiction and was considered rather shocking 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, and street scenes are obviously filmed in a studio. But this is a terrific movie, thanks to the touching performance of Frank Sinatra; he is simply wonderful in the role and earned an Oscar nomination. 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.
This was the first major film to deal with the subject of addiction and was considered rather shocking 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, and street scenes are obviously filmed in a studio. But this is a terrific movie, thanks to the touching performance of Frank Sinatra; he is simply wonderful in the role and earned an Oscar nomination. 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.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The man with the golden arm
This is an early transcription of a 1956 film and is in black and white only. It is the heart-rending story of a heroin addict who fights a long battle against his addiction. Read more
Published 21 months ago by drrdf
Great film, poor quality DVD
This is a great film with, probably, Sinatra's finest film performance in what was for its day a realistic story of a drug addict trying against all the odds to make good. Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by D. J. Gooch
CLASSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Sinatra at his best. Edgy, and pacey. Ahead of it's time. Novak and Parker provide sterling support. A must see for classic film buffs.
Published on 23 Aug 2009 by David T. Slater
Horrible DVD
This DVD is awfull. Fistly it is not PAL, but NTSC. It was made from an horrendous VHS, That has a green tint. No subtitles not even American closed captions. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2005 by Jazzisticus
Golden Sinatra
The superb acting of Frank Sinatra always amazes me. He can play tough characters in tough movies as easily as lighthearted parts in musicals, or romantic roles in war-based films. Read more
Published on 29 Sep 2003 by J. Scott-mandeville
This was a bridge too far
The director of this movie took on everything which he almost certainly knew would fail. Illegal gambling, drug addiction and insurance fraud. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2003 by RICHARD WHITEHOUSE
Frank shows he can act
Frank as a Junkie? Frank can act? Yes to both! Frank (during one of his low(er) points of his career) show his depth and show he can act. Read more
Published on 30 May 2000
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