[MMM]

A Sincap Production - Released by United Artists

Producer and Director: Frank Capra
Screenplay: Arnold Schulman (based on his play)
Music: Nelson Riddle
Director of Photography: William H. Daniels
Costumes: Edith Head

Cast
Frank Sinatra: Tony Manetta
Edward G. Robinson: Mario Manetta
Eleanor Parker: Mrs. Rogers
Carolyn Jones: Shirl
Thelma Ritter: Sophie Manetta
Keenan Wynn: Jerry Marks
Eddie Hodges: Ally Manetta

Frank Sinatra sings "All My Tomorrows" and "High Hopes"

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

...Sinatra plays the "Ever Guy" who has ever tryed to make a score...The Dreamer....The guy with Big Dreams and High Hopes...but who finds out in the end like we all do is that having a great FAMILY is the BIG SCORE !!!

hi, fun movie with some solid performances and a great songs.
thanks, joe....

[MMM]

Here's a link to a relatively recent previous thread with some discussion on this movie:

http://www.sinatrafamily.com/forum/s...&threadid=8861

This one always makes me cry...I guess because I feel sympatico with Tony Manetta (Sinatra's character).It aint easy being a single parent no matter how you got that way (death,divorce,never married) but when you look into that kid's eyes and see the love and admiration pouring out of them you got to have a "hole in the head" to think theres anything better or more wonderful.
Its a struggle and a precious burden that you won't trade for a million bucks or a gazillion Disneylands! ....as of course Tony discovers in the end.....
love hannah

Thumbs up on this movie -- definitely worth seeing (and seeing again). Love Carolyn Jones in this movie.

Also, Frank is always sooo good when playing with kids be it on tv or in films. This is a movie with heart.

[russkish3]

It's been years since I've seen this movie, but I too, am struck by the chemistry Frank Sinatra created with little Eddie Hodges. Hodges was hired fresh from his Broadway role as Winthrop Paroo in "The Music Man." He was one of those rare kid actors who was completely unforced and natural in his performances. Eddie went from his role in "A Hole in the Head" to the MGM remake of "Huckleberry Finn" co-starring Archie Moore, with a screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner.

I am also impressed by Frank Sinatra's handling of the Capitol recording of "High Hopes." If you are fortunate enough to own the Capitol Collectors' Series CD, you will hear the studio conversation immediately preceding the release take. Frank is gentle and reassuring before the take starts, telling the children's chorus (featuring Eddie Hodges) to "Have fun, boys and girls (brief pause). Relax."

Just hearing The Great Man saying "Relax" is a treat in itself. The listener is swept right along with his gentle command. It's a priceless moment.

Best regards,

Russell Kishi
Glendale, California

[russkish3]

Do any of you resident geniuses out there possess the original movie advertising for "A Hole In The Head"???

The ad created quite an impression on me as a kid. It depicted Frank Sinatra lifting Eddie Hodges, who was laughing. I can still also see Carolyn Jones with her back turned, wearing a coy expression. Also Edward G. Robinson glowering in the background.

I wish I could see this image again, just once.

Best regards,

Russell Kishi
Glendale, California

[vinvictory]

really sweet movie. FS and a cast of great character actors...Edward G Robinson, Keenen Wynn and the great Thelma Ritter (she was just so good...shame she wasn't in more.)
Also let's not forget the great Frank Capra. With a combination like this it had to be good.

[pattisam]

I agree this is a wonderful movie. The last time I watched, maybe about a year ago, I saw it with, almost, new eyes. I always liked it before, but maybe as I get older, I relate more to the characters, and appreciate the subplots, whereas, in the past, I was only focused on the Frank and son relationship.

I don't have this on tape or DVD. Must do something about that, real soon.

[MMM]

Russell,

Here's the link to an auction (ending soon) on eBay for an original A Hole In the Head movie poster. It's not in the greatest condition, and the picture taken of it for the ad isn't the best either, but thought you'd like to take a look.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...gename=rvi:1:2

[russkish3]

Took a look at the Ebay site. That's the artwork, all right. What a terrible rendition of it on the seller's site. Current bid is $75.00. Never would think of paying that much for the poster, but I do wish the image of it were better. The seller is describing the poster as worn and frayed in spots. Whoever is bidding on it must want it quite badly.

Cheapskate that I am, I would settle for one nice scanned image of that artwork on this website.

Thank you MMM. Your help and insights are always appreciated.

Best regards,

Russell Kishi
Glendale, California

[pattisam]

75 bucks? That's cheap for a poster. Some are thousands. I don't own any.

This is a cute scene --

[russkish3]

Thanks, Patti, for the photo. I am very much aware of how expensive it can be to collect original movie art, especially the one sheets that were so prominent in theatre advertising. I have seen price tags in the hundreds and above the thousand dollar mark. I cannot afford prices like these.

But $75 for a poster that isn't in the greatest of condition strikes me as expensive, on the relative scale of things. The person who put in that bid must covet it. The poor rendition of the poster doesn't tell you much about its overall quality, but it doesn't appear to be in very good condition at all, with noticeable signs of fraying.

I was hoping you might have the poster, yourself, Patti. Then I know we'd at least have a clean scanned version on display here.

Best regards,

Russell Kishi
Glendale, California

[pattisam]

I only have lobby cards of some movies Not one poster in the bunch.

Hi, just picked-up "A Hole in the Head" and 4 For Texas on DVD, both are great movies. Frank Capra's production of "A Hole in the Head" made Sinatra's star shine even brighter with Capra's direction. Watching it again i would have to consider this one of Sinatra's best proformances, i laughed, i smiled and i cried.
Mr. Capra came out of retirement to do this movie for Sinatra.
Thanks, joe....

[Ronald Sarbo]

Another project Capra wanted to film was the life story of James Durante with Dino as Durante and Sinatra as one of Durante's partners in the team of Jackson, Clayton & Durante.

Sadly it was not to be.

[vinvictory]

i recentlly read about the proposed durante movie in a book about dino...seems dino having had a nose job for real was a bit sensitive about it and did't really want to wear a big nose again...it may well have been an interesting project, but i must say none of the principles look very much like the originals.

I loved jimmy durante, but he was short, and i don't think dino would have been a good match for the roles looks wise at the very least.


vinny b.

...........Rent it and enjoy!

Not one of my favorites, althou the cast was good. I especially loved, Frank (of course) and Carolyn Jones

Charlie

FAS: