The Man with the Golden Arm [Collector's Edition] (1955)

The Man With The Golden Arm On Film

Viewing a documentary of the life of the American author Nelson Algren (1909 -- 1981) titled, "The End is Nothing, the Road is All" prompted me to read Algren's most famous novel, "The Man with the Golden Arm". In 1950, Algren's novel won the first National Book Award. I then took the opportunity to watch the 1955 film adaptation of Algren's novel.

Otto Preminger directed the film and originally hired Algren to write the screen play. Unfortunately, the two did not get along and Algren was fired. Algren disliked the film which differs from the book in many ways. Still, a film should be judged on its own and on whether it succeeds in its own medium. In that respect, I found the movie successful. Frank Sinatra stars in the film as Frankie Machine, the "man with the golden arm" as a drug-addicted card dealer and is convincing in the role. Other members of the case include Eleanor Parker as Frankie's wife Zosch and a sexy Kim Novak as his romantic flame, Molly. The movie features a brassy jazzy score by Elmer Bernstein which has acquired a life of its own. The angular black-and white cinematography show the seedy Chicago streets, bars, and apartments in which most of the story takes place.

In the film, Frankie has been released from a brief prison term where he has kicked his addition and formed the dream of becoming a jazz drummer. He returns to his wife, who is confined to a wheelchair, intending to go straight but soon returns to his former life as a card dealer in illegal games and to has drug addiction. The film shows Frankie's relationships with his friend and sidekick Sparrow, with the drug peddler Louis, and with Swefka, the operator of the crooked card game. The movie shows these and other low life characters in post -- WW II Chicago. The film was one of the first to portray drug addiction and its consequences.

The film shows the dynamics among the characters and the setting in the streets with a focus on Frankie's again become addicted and trying to break the habit. The resolution of the plot, the film's portrayal of its characters and of human nature, and its single-minded focus on drug addiction differ markedly from Algren's novel. But for the most part they work on their own terms. There is a toughness to Algren's vision, and feel for people, and a breadth and complexity in the novel that the film does not capture. Most importantly, the film cannot duplicate the lyrical, poetic quality of Algren's writing. The book is intense and complex and probably could not be fully captured in a film of two hours. With its limited, softer focus, this film does portray the life of addiction in a large city.

I was glad to have the opportunity to see this film, to enjoy it for itself, and to think about its relation to Algren's book which deserves to be better known. Those who become interested in the film might consider following-up by reading Algren's outstanding novel.

Robin Friedman