There may be people who wonder why Frank Sinatra wasn’t comfortable being a successful singer and musical film star. There are people who probably doubt his acting ability. The people in either of these groups, need to see his portrayal of Frankie Machine, a heroin addict. This will put their doubts to rest.
Sinatra’s character comes home after being treated for his addiction. He is greeted by his devoted friend, Sparrow, (Arnold Stang). Frankie is also welcomed back by his devoted, but very clingy wife, Zosh, (Eleanor Parker), who gives a terrific performance. She forced Frankie to marry her out of guilt; because she was paralyzed in an accident, when Frankie was driving drunk. She loves Frankie, but he doesn’t love her. He loves Molly (Kim Novak). Frankie was a card dealer in illegal poker games, before he went away. When he was away, he learned to play the drums. He’s decided that he wants to play drums in a band.
There are two things that stand in the way of Frankie’s dream. The one is his addiction, and the other is Louie, (Darrin McGavin) his supplier and card game runner. Frankie needs a fix, and Louie will supply it after the game. Sinatra agrees, much to the objections of his wife. After the game, Frankie gets what he wants. Unfortunately, it cost him dearly. He had an audition for a band, but because he’s still high on heroin, he can’t play.
After coming down from his high, Frankie goes to see Molly. After not having the drug in his system, for a while, he starts going through withdrawal. This is Sinatra at his best; showing an addict in physical and mental torment. Kim Novak is great as Molly, showing love and understanding to Frankie. This is something that his wife, never showed him.
Frankie goes to Louie for a fix. He says he’ll get one, if he deals in the game. He agrees, but things go badly, when one of the players, discovers Frankie is cheating. He gets beaten up, as well as his friend, Sparrow. There’s a lot to be said about Arnold Stang’s portrayal of Frankie’s sleazy but unquestionably loyal friend. After the chaos of the poker game, Frankie wants a fix from Louie, but he refuses. Frankie beats him and trashes the place looking for the heroin, but he cant find it. Louie goes looking for Frankie in his apartment. He isn’t there, and confronts Zosh. She becomes very upset, and gets out of the wheelchair, because she was faking paralysis to get sympathy from Frankie. She argues with Louie and pushes him down the stairs, killing him. The police arrive thinking it was Frankie, who has come to the apartment. The authorities put everything together, and conclude that Zosh was the killer. Zosh panics and falls out the window, and is killed. After this, Frankie and Molly walk out together, hoping for a future free from addiction.
Otto Preminger was known for directing a lot of films with social commentary. He has succeeded with The Man With the Golden Arm. He’s shown the horrors of addiction, and given Frankie Machine a human face. In this movie he’s gotten a great dramatic performance from Frank Sinatra. It was a hard subject to present onscreen, but it was done well, and allowed for a number of controversial subjects to be examined in the movies.