MovieChat Forums > The Joker Is Wild Discussion > Sinatra Can Act!

Sinatra Can Act!

posted 16 years ago by missalex
8 replies | jump to latest

I must admit, for instance, in From Here to Eternity (which sinatra won an oscar for) I thought his acting was just average (maybe it had to do with the particular character he was playing, which I thought did not have any depth) However I am currently watching this movie, "The Joker is Wild" on TCM and Sinatra is a true acting talent! These are the only two movies with Sinatra in them that I have watched and "The Joker is Wild" really showcases Sinatra's great acting talent! He is flawless in all the comedic and dramatic parts in this film. He is so believalbe as Joe Lewis and it is a delight to watch! He is vulnerable and you really feel for his character! Maybe it is because Sinatra is so comfortable on stage, but I really couldn't picture anyone else in this role- Awesome film!

[–] iamthetopp 16 years ago

I agree with you on this performance. I've caught parts of the movie a few times, always missing the beginning. This time I'm seeing it all.

His performance is even, thoughtful and showed a lot of range. I do think that his comfort of being on stage, as well as drinking and joking in his real act, much like Joe E, made him more believable, and helped influence the Rat Pack shows. I understand Frank was quite familiar with Joe E.s act and that they were quite friendly.

I loved "From Here to Eternity", however his character wasn't a real likable guy to me.

Yes, Sinatra can act!

to be is to do - Socrates, to do is to be - Plato, do be do be do - Sinatra

[–] missalex 16 years ago

right now, its getting near the end of the movie and I still find Sinatra's acting brilliant! I mean the role of a singer/performer on stage isn't far from Sinatra's real life, but maybe that is what makes him so wonderful in this film! Seriously, Frank has got the "Wow" factor in this movie. I am not sure who was up for Oscars for Best Male Performer that year, but I think Frank should have at least been nominated and he wasn't - but I think the song he sang was up for something, right? There wasn't anything fake or questionable about his whole performance. It was great! Now i gotta find it on DVD, haha...probably a bootleg copy because I don't think there was an official release yet.
What other Sinatra movies can anyone recommend to me? What about "Suddenly" and "The Man With The Golden Arm?" Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[–] iamthetopp 16 years ago

Released the same year, "Pal Joey". There are several similarities, and glaring differences.

Pal Joey, The Joker is Wild:

differences:

-Frank is now Joey, not Joe E. :-)
-Based on a play, not based on a person
-Beautiful color, not b/w
-Joey is a lovable HEEL, not a sympathetic character
-Joey chases women, Joe E. chases the bottle
-PJ is a bit more of a musical/romance than TJiW's dramatic feel

And speaking of the music...WOW!

similarities:

-Both soundtracks are among my favorites
-Rita Hayworth and Kim Novac are good supporting actresses, maybe not as good as Mitzi Gaynor and Jeanne Crain, but good
-PJ was nominated for four Oscars, TJiW won one
-Both movies make great use of Frank's stage presence, humor, charm and of course singing that we see through the rest of his live performance career
-Frank won the Golden Globe for PJ

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

And I agree that, compared to the other actors that got Oscar nods for this year, Frank as Joe E. was deserved.

Both "Suddenly" and "The Man with the Golden Arm" are very good in their own genres of Film-Noir, and straight up Drama. Certainly Frank with a harder edge. The Manchurian Candidate is among his best performances, and it takes drama and adds mystery and thriller aspects (however some folks do NOT like the film)

[–] missalex 16 years ago

great thanks, Im gonna go on amazon and buy these dvds used (if they are available). Sounds like a great bunch!

[–] atkinsfreddy 16 years ago

Wow! I agree Sinatra's performance is terrific! I just taped it off TCM this week. I am a huge Sinatra fan, and haven't seen this one in years. I looked it up on this sight and realized how rare it was. This is Sinatra's best performance, the cast is wonderful, and the story really is told well, its a heart-tugger. It is a real disgrace this isn't available on video. I wish more people could see it. I looked it up in a few Sinatra biographies, but there isn't much mentioned about it. Lets hope it is released soon.

[–] missalex 16 years ago

hi just bought a very fantastic quality DVD of this movie from a seller on www.ioffer.com. When I tuned in to watch this move, i didnt realize how much I would love it by the end- so of course, I didn't tape it. Once it was finished I went on ebay right away to buy a copy, only to find that one was never officially released! Then I checked ioffer.com and someone was selling a copy of it so i bought it and the quality is perfect, so i am very happy with it! And it was only $8.00! This is Sinatra at his best, I cannot believe it hasn't been officially released!

[–] criddic2 15 years ago

I've seen this film a few times. It is one of Sinatra's best dramatic roles. I suspect that if "Pal Joey" hadn't been released that year, he may have been nominated (at least for a Globe) for this one. But "Pal Joey" was a bigger hit and it showcased some of Frank's best singing performances ("The Lady is a Tramp").

Almost all of his 1950s films are worth recommending, except "Double Dynamite," which was filmed in 1949 but released in 1951. "Meet Danny Wilson" offers good singing performances and a strange mobster story (and he sings with Shelley Winters!). After "From Here to Eternity," the material was generally a lot better (though "Marraige on the Rocks" is another to avoid).

1950s:

1. The Man with the Golden Arm
2. The Joker is Wild
3. Pal Joey
4. Suddenly
5. From Here to Eternity
6. Some Came Running
7. Young at Heart
8. High Society
9. A Hole in the Head
10. The Tender Trap
11. Not as a Stranger
12. Meet Danny Wilson
13. Double Dynamite
14. Marriage on the Rocks
15. Around the World in 80 Days (just a cameo, but a good movie)

[–] 15 years ago

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