Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24825 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-05-13
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: Colour, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 119 minutes

Customer Reviews

A remarkable performance by Sinatra
"The Man with the Golden Arm" is Frankie Machine (Frank Sinatra), just out of jail and back home in skid row. He beat his heroin habit while in jail and vows to get a good job and stay clean. He returns to his clingy wife (Eleanor Parker), although he still carries a torch for his old girlfriend (Kim Novak). Lack of money and hope soon send Frankie back to dealing cards for the neighbourhood boss (Darren McGavin) and to his old drug habit.

This was the first major film to deal with the subject of addiction and was considered rather shocking in 1955. Compared to current films it is quite sanitized - the word "heroin" is never mentioned, Frankie beats his addiction in just a few hours, and street scenes are obviously filmed in a studio. But this is a terrific movie, thanks to the touching performance of Frank Sinatra; he is simply wonderful in the role and earned an Oscar nomination. The lovely Kim Novak is also memorable, giving her floozy character real depth with a heart and soul. This is a must-see for Sinatra fans; he gives one of his best screen performances.

A very poor quality copy
I agree with the other reviewers as to the artistic merits of the film.
However this is an unacceptably poor quality DVD (I have had a similar bad experiences with another "Elstree Hill" product)- worse than my off-air VHS copy - do not buy it! It is a disgrace to Amazon!

broken spirits, wasted lives
Viewing this film is like lifting a rock to see what has been existing under its dark weight, and from the stylish Saul Bass titles and jazzy Elmer Bernstein score, it is a riveting film, with a brilliant, intense Sinatra performance.
As an ex-con trying to beat a heroin addiction, "Frankie" (Sinatra) slips back into his old habits and friends upon release from prison, and is chained to a guilt-based relationship with Eleanor Parker, who is excellent as "Zosch", a woman who manipulates from her wheelchair, blaming "Frankie" for her fate, and resenting his friendship with "Molly", beautifully played by the gorgeous Kim Novak, who exudes vulnerability and a soft, sweet soul.

Well written from the Nelson Algren novel, and visually interesting with superb b&w cinematography by Sam Leavitt, the details of the costuming are also worth noting...I love Molly's old threadbare chenille bathrobe...and like much of the clothes in the film, looking like it was bought in a thrift shop.
I don't find this 1955 film dated at all; its themes and "types" are timeless and occur in every class and level of society, and the characters can be found in the Bowery or Beverly Hills.
The film was nominated in three Oscar categories: Best Actor (losing to Ernest Borgnine in another gritty film, "Marty"), Best Art Direction/Set Decoration ("The Rose Tattoo"), and Best Score (losing to the romantic "Love is a Many Splendored Thing").
Total running time is 119 minutes, and this film has been released under many labels in many grades, including some "cheapies" that are less than perfect in clarity and audio, but present a good value for the price.