[MMM]

A Michael Todd Production - Released by United Artists

Based on the Novel by Jules Verne
Producer: Michael Todd
Director: Michael Anderson
Screenplay: James Poe, John Farrow, & S.J. Perelman
Music: Victor Young
Director of Photography: Lionel Lindon
Special Effects: Lee Zavitz

Cast
David Niven: Phileas Fogg
Cantinflas: Passepartout
Shirley MacLaine: Princess Aouda
Robert Newton: Inspector Fix

Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Noel Coward, Ronald Coleman, Charles Boyer, Sir John Gielgud, Joe E. Brown, Buster Keaton, George Raft, John Carradine, Trevor Howard, and Jack Oakie (among others) all appear in unbilled cameo appearances.


(Notes transcribed from Nancy Sinatra's "Frank Sinatra: An American Legend")

around the world in 80 days is another long movie that sinatra only has a cameo role but at least the movie is played from time to time on TCM. i'm not sure but, i think 80 days was the best movie of 1956 and it be seen on video. thanks, joe....

[Marty]

It is often said that Michael Todd first coined the phrase "cameo" as it relates to films, calling them "a gem carved in celluloid by a star!"

More than any other of the famous "cameos" in this one of a kind movie, Frank Sinatra's brief appearance as a saloon pianist in old San Francisco meets that description, his is the only main cameo appearance that features no dialogue nor interacts with the main characters, yet it is Frank's reveal that is teased out for the audience in the most anticipatory manner, the camera lingering a couple of times on those famous lean shoulders before we finally see the almost archetypal Sinatra close up of the era.

Todd's and Anderson's production notes point to a bit of a "What might have been" too with regards to a proposed second appearance of Frank in the movie, the initial idea for the movie's prologue segment consisted of Niven, MacLaine, Cantinflas and Robert Newton as themselves boarding a modern jet airliner with the cabin containing several of the cameos including Frank, also as themselves.

It is believed this was replaced by the existing Ed Morrow prologue in order to make the most of the Todd-AO widescreen system.

how could I forget to mention Frank's other connection to the movie:

His lyrical version of Victor Young's orchestral theme to a very sympathetic and beautifully lilting Billy May arrangement, "Around The World" can of course be found on what else "Come Fly With Me"

From my collection

[Jake]

I like the phrase, "In 1951, he went on a strike..." in the second scan. I don't know if it was really a "strike".

[aleksej schicke]

Today you can fly around the world in just one day.

The times they are changin....

Alex

[Marty]

another point of interest about the film is that its screenwriter John Farrow was father of a certain young lady named Mia.

[Dina]

I watched the first 2 hours of this on TCM today just to catch the cameo appearance. I love the moment when the piano player turns around and we see he's FS with his wry little smile and those sparkling blue eyes.

[Patrick71]

A fun film to watch!! I Love the Soundtrack by Victor Young.

[Tina...]

I don't think I've see this film all the way through, I'll definitely look out for Frank next time it's on.

I met David Niven once, I have his autograph, funny he never mentioned Frank

[Patrick71]

Originally Posted by Tina...

I don't think I've see this film all the way through, I'll definitely look out for Frank next time it's on.

I met David Niven once, I have his autograph, funny he never mentioned Frank

David Niven is one of my favorites!! He was great in the Original "Pink Panther"film.

[Matt Fapresto]

This movie has been released in my country too. I think I'm gonna buy the dvd, just to watch Frank

[sschweiger]

Another of "Around the World's" Oscar-winning screenwriters (along with John Farrow & James Poe) was SJ Perelman, a major influence on Woody Allen, and the co-writer of the Marx Bros.' classics, "Horse Feathers" and "Monkey Business."

[Matt Fapresto]

Highlight from the movie 'Around the world in 80 days' !

[johnofphilly]

Frank at a tender 41. That youth is good stuff, everyone seems to be runnin' outta that. I need to see this movie.

[Nick_Bradley78]

Its only a couple of seconds of Frank so this isn't a Sinatra vehicle at all, but it is very enjoyable in the way old films like that can be. We've lost some of that.

[sschweiger]

Coward, Geilgud, Marlene D, Sinatra -- if you love to see Legends, even in cameos -- this wonderful film is for you!

[Alfred]

That's true - but the whole movie is a good one: David Niven and Shirley made a great job

[Tina...]

Originally Posted by Patrick71

David Niven is one of my favorites!! He was great in the Original "Pink Panther"film.

David was very nice when he took time to speak to me and give me his autograph, when he asked who to sign it to I told him Tina he asked if it was short for Christina, I said yes, he said he has a daughter with the same name. Hmm I think I know of someone else who has a daughter Christina too Although Davids' is spelt Kristina I believe.

Read his two autobiographies if you haven't already, they are a great insight into his life and career. Or the audio books, he narrates.

Matt, thanks for posting the picture of Frank he looks wonderful, those blue eyes look as bright as ever.

[Dina]

Originally Posted by Matt Fapresto

Highlight from the movie 'Around the world in 80 days

Yes! There's that smile and those blue, blue eyes
Thanks Matt!