The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
(Otto Preminger, US 1955, 119 min., 35mm)
Frankie Machine (Frank Sinatra) is a reformed drug addict being released from a six-month prison term and rehabilitation. While a high-stakes card dealer prior to prison, he has learned drumming while in prison and relies on his ability to make a living as a musician to stay clean. He returns to his wife, Zosh (Eleanor Parker), who has been restricted to a wheelchair for three years due to a car accident that was Frankie’s fault. Still, he pines for hostess Molly (Kim Novak), who lives downstairs in the same building. When Frankie’s old supplier, Louie (Darren McGavin), comes around hoping that Frankie will start his habit again, the pressure mounts and Frankie realizes that life has no shortage of turning points.
Print Courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.