The Man With the Golden Arm DVD

In the span of a few short years Frank Sinatra had gone from teen idol to has been. When this film was produced Sinatra was once again a major recording artist but more importantly he became a credible Hollywood actor. Just a year before he won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for From Here To Eternity. For this film he tackled the challenging lead part as a heroin addict. It is probably his finest performance.When Otto Preminger chose to film Nelson Algren's uncompromising novel about drug addiction he was taking on all of Hollywood. The production code had been... in effect since 1934 and limited what could and could not be shown in films. Drug addiction was forbidden. Preminger defied them and in the process made one of the most hard hitting films ever on this subject. The film became a critical and popular success.Sinatra plays Frankie a recovered heroin addict and budding jazz musician who is released from prison and returns to his North-side Chicago neighbourhood. Preminger creates a powerful grim atmosphere as we see Frankie return once again to the world of gambling and drugs. [show more]

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