The Man With the Golden Arm (1955)

In this article, we will be looking at 2019’s book “1001 Movies to See Before You Die” and going through each film in a random order that I have chosen. We will be looking at what constitutes this film to be on the list and whether I think this film deserves to be here at all. I want to make perfectly clear that I won’t be revealing details from this book such as analyses by film reporters who have written about the film in question, so if you want the book itself you’ll have to buy it. But I will be covering the book’s suggestions on which films should be your top priority. I wouldn’t doubt for a second that everyone reading this article has probably watched many of these movies anyway. But we are just here to have a bit of fun. We’re going to not just look at whether it should be on this list but we’re also going to look at why the film has such a legacy at all. Remember, this is the 2019 version of the book and so, films like “Joker” will not be featured in this book and any film that came out in 2020 (and if we get there, in 2021). So strap in and if you have your own suggestions then don’t hesitate to email me using the address in my bio. Let’s get on with it then.

The Man With the Golden Arm (1955) dir. by Otto Preminger

This is such a great movie. I watched it a few years back after finding it by complete accident. Starring Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak, this film is about a drummer trying to get clean of heroin whilst also trying to navigate his way in the world. The drug is never actually mentioned by name but judging by the fact that he has to put it in his arm, it is most likely going to be heroin. Frankie Machine (the main character) has just gotten out of prison and yet, is really struggling. He asks the help of a woman he has recently met called Molly and she wants to help him but his addiction is getting the better of him. The woman Frankie Machine is married to is an invalid and yet, there is something far more sinister going on with her as well. All in all, the movie is an excellent representation of the way in which humans deceive humans and humans are deceived by addictions. The catch is the only addiction is not Frankie Machine to heroin. It's also an addiction of attention concerning on the most sinister characters in the story.

However much controversy it received for depicting drug use, the film does show that drug use leads to negative consequences and so, it was not condemned entirely. One critic stated:

"Otto Preminger's The Man with the Golden Arm is a feature that focuses on addiction to narcotics. Clinical in its probing of the agonies, this is a gripping, fascinating film, expertly produced and directed and performed with marked conviction by Frank Sinatra as the drug slave."

The Academy Film Archives preserved the film in its vaults in 2005 and it is available in the public domain.

The film not only represents the bad side of drugs, but it was also adapted from a novel. The novel itself though different to the film takes on the market of drugs and music in order to show how musicians can be just as dead-beat as what they perceive to be the ‘average person’.

It was one of Kim Novak’s most incredible performances (of course we have “Vertigo” (1958) as well). She portrayed one of her most complex characters who is torn between wanting to be her own person, wanting her own lifestyle and wanting to also save Frankie Machine from himself. One of the scenes I’ve always loved is when she locks him in her room on his own without any heroin because it is just so well acted beforehand by her and then Frank Sinatra comes in with the absolute brilliance. Filled with great performances and twists and turns, you cannot go wrong with this film at all.