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The Man with the Golden Arm

  • 19551955
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
11K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
15,136
1,459
Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, and Eleanor Parker in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer1:53
1 Video
69 Photos
CrimeDramaRomance
A junkie must face his true self to kick his drug addiction.A junkie must face his true self to kick his drug addiction.A junkie must face his true self to kick his drug addiction.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
11K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
15,136
1,459
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Otto Preminger
    • Writers
      • Walter Newman(screenplay)
      • Lewis Meltzer(screenplay)
      • Nelson Algren(from the novel by)
    • Stars
      • Frank Sinatra
      • Kim Novak
      • Eleanor Parker
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Otto Preminger
    • Writers
      • Walter Newman(screenplay)
      • Lewis Meltzer(screenplay)
      • Nelson Algren(from the novel by)
    • Stars
      • Frank Sinatra
      • Kim Novak
      • Eleanor Parker
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 94User reviews
    • 67Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:53
    Trailer

    Photos69

    Frank Sinatra in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
    Frank Sinatra and Otto Preminger in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
    Frank Sinatra in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
    Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
    Frank Sinatra, Arnold Stang, and Robert Strauss in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
    Arnold Stang in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
    "Man With The Golden Arm" Frank Sinatra
    "The Man with the Golden Arm" (Saul Bass Poster) 1955 United Artists
    Frank Sinatra, Otto Preminger, and Kim Novak on the set of "The Man with the Golden Arm," 1955. Modern silver gelatin, 12x9.5, signed. $750 © 1978 Bob Willoughby MPTV
    Frank Sinatra smoking on the set of "The Man with the Golden Arm," 1955. Modern silver gelatin, 12x9.5, signed. $750 © 1978 Bob Willoughby MPTV
    The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
    "The Man with the Golden Arm" (Saul Bass Poster) 1955 United Artists

    Top cast

    Edit
    Frank Sinatra
    Frank Sinatra
    • Frankie Machine
    Kim Novak
    Kim Novak
    • Molly
    Eleanor Parker
    Eleanor Parker
    • Zosh Machine
    Arnold Stang
    Arnold Stang
    • Sparrow
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • Louie
    Robert Strauss
    Robert Strauss
    • Schwiefka
    John Conte
    • Drunky
    Doro Merande
    Doro Merande
    • Vi
    George E. Stone
    George E. Stone
    • Sam Markette
    George Mathews
    George Mathews
    • Williams
    Leonid Kinskey
    Leonid Kinskey
    • Dominiwski
    Emile Meyer
    Emile Meyer
    • Detective Bednar
    Jered Barclay
    • Junkie in Lock-Up
    • (uncredited)
    Leonard Bremen
    Leonard Bremen
    • Cabbie in Lock-Up
    • (uncredited)
    Paul E. Burns
    Paul E. Burns
    • Suspenders in Lock-Up
    • (uncredited)
    Pete Candoli
    Pete Candoli
    • Jazz Musician
    • (uncredited)
    Herschel Graham
    Herschel Graham
    • Club Safari Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Harold 'Tommy' Hart
    • Officer Kvorka
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Otto Preminger
    • Writers
      • Walter Newman(screenplay)
      • Lewis Meltzer(screenplay)
      • Nelson Algren(from the novel by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Marlon Brando was offered the role of Frankie Machine, but Frank Sinatra jumped at the opportunity and was signed before Brando could accept.
    • Goofs
      In a scene about twenty minutes in, as the camera exits the bar following Frankie, the jukebox can be seen to slide out of the way of the camera at the bottom of the screen.
    • Quotes

      Sparrow: You all right... you know?

      Frankie Machine: The monkey's gone.

    • Connections
      Edited into Bass on Titles (1977)

    User reviews94

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    "C'mon, One Hustler To Another."
    The Man With a Golden Arm was one of a trio of great films around that same time that dealt with drug addiction. The other two were Monkey On My Back and A Hatful of Rain. But I think of the three this one is the best.

    Maybe if Otto Preminger had shot the thing in the real Chicago instead of those obvious studio sets the film might have been better yet. Who knows, maybe Preminger couldn't get enough money to pay for the location. It's the only flaw I find in the film.

    Frank Sinatra is a heroin addicted card dealer who was busted for covering for his boss Robert Strauss when the game was raided. He took the cure while in jail and wants a new life as a jazz drummer. But a whole lot of people are conspiring against him.

    First Bob Strauss who wants him back dealing, especially because a couple of heavyweight gamblers are in town. He uses a few underhanded methods to get Sinatra's services back. Secondly Darren McGavin is the local dope dealer who wants Sinatra good and hooked as a customer again. And finally Eleanor Parker his clinging wife who's working a con game to beat all, just to keep him around.

    Frank Sinatra got a nomination for Best Actor for this film, but lost to Ernest Borgnine in Marty. Sinatra might have won for this one if he hadn't won for From Here to Eternity in the Supporting Actor category a few years back and that Marty was such an acclaimed film in that year. His scenes going through withdrawal locked up in Kim Novak's apartment will leave you shaken.

    Eleanor Parker does not get enough credit for her role. She's really something as the crazy scheming wife who wants Sinatra tied to her no matter what the cost. If she had not been nominated that same year for Interrupted Melody, she might have been nominated for this. 1955 marked the high point of her career.

    Darren McGavin got his first real notice as the very serpentine drug peddler. His performance is guaranteed to make your flesh crawl.

    Elmer Bernstein contributed a great jazz score to accentuate the general dinginess of the bleak Chicago neighborhood the characters live in. Not a place you'd want to bring up your family.
    helpful•60
    4
    • bkoganbing
    • Oct 22, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 16, 1956 (Brazil)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • HBOMAX (United States)
      • TCM (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Covek sa zlatnom rukom
    • Filming locations
      • RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Otto Preminger Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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