A Hole in the Head *** (1959, Frank Sinatra, Edward G Robinson, Eleanor Parker, Carolyn Jones, Thelma Ritter, Eddie Hodges, Keenan Wynn) – Classic Movie Review 4726

Alas, a great stage play, a great cast (Frank Sinatra, Edward G Robinson, Eleanor Parker, Carolyn Jones, Thelma Ritter, Eddie Hodges, Keenan Wynn and Joi Lansing), a great director (Frank Capra) and a great song (Oscar-winning ‘High Hopes’ with lyrics by Sammy Cahn and music by Jimmy Van Heusen) do not necessarily add up to a great movie.

Nevertheless, this 1959 movie about a failing Miami hotelier, impractical widower Tony Manetta (Sinatra), who is desperate to keep his business alive and hang on to his Miami hotel, has some witty lines in Arnold Shulman’s screenplay (based on his play) and marvellous scene-stealing acting from the stars. Weak, womanising Tony Manetta has a sensible 12-year-old son Ally (Hodges), an upright brother Mario (Robinson) and a couple of ladies in his life (Jones as his irresponsible current flame Shirl, Parker as the nice Eloise).

Alas, also, Capra is past his prime. It was his first feature since Here Comes the Groom (1951) so he had been too long away. But no film with this pedigree could be all bad and, though shaky and overlong at two hours, it is always entertaining.

The two Franks, Sinatra and Capra, produced. They even joined their names for the production company, Sincap.

Also in the cast are Connie Sawyer as Miss Wexler, James Komack, Dub Taylor, George DeWitt, Benny Rubin, Ruby Dandridge, B S Pully, Joyce Nizzari, Pupi Campo, Emory Parnell, Robert Williams, Joi Lansing, James Komack, Joyce Nizzari and Bill Walker.

It is shot by William H Daniels, scored by Nelson Riddle and designed by Eddie Imazu.

Connie Sawyer turned 105.

Connie Sawyer, Hollywood’s oldest working actress, turned 105 on 27 November 2017. She passed away at the age of 105 on 22 January 2018.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4726

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com