A Hole in the Head (1959) User Reviews

There is Better Carpra, Sinatra, and Robinson Out There

[MatBrewster · 5/10 · 3 May 2005]

Read all my reviews at www.midnitcafe.blogspot.com

I received A Hole in the Head for my birthday in a Frank Sinatra double pack with the original Manchurian Candidate. I had put off watching it because it did not seem like a movie I would particularly enjoy. But in my quest to watch and review all of my movies, I had no choice but to put it in the player. Of course the fact that my wife wanted to watch it prompted me a little further even to the point of watching it out of alphabetical order.

Frank Capra is the great godfather of sentimental movies. Many of these are deservedly hailed by fans and critics. From Mr Smith Goes to Washington to It's a Wonderful Life Capra made movies about the little guys fighting the system and coming out on top. These movies are sentimental enough to be dubbed "Capracorn" by the system, but are handled with masterful hands that rise above the schmaltz created by so many others. Besides little guys he also flooded his movies with eccentric characters standing out in a world full or normal folk. Arsenic and Old Lace and You Can't Take it With You are standouts of this form. Sadly, A Hole in the Head tries to mix both of these Capra types and fails on both accounts.

The film is the second to last picture ever made by Capra and was the beginning of an attempted comeback from a few years break from making Hollywood pictures. But instead of a comeback this film serves only to remind us of what Capra used to be. Frank Sinatra plays a down on his luck big dreamer who is about to be evicted from his hotel business in Miami, Florida. He calls up his brother, Edward G Robinson and sister-in-law Thelma Ritter for help pretending his son is sick. Robinson and wife quickly head down from New York to see what's going on. Hilarity and sentimentality ensue. Swinging Sinatra butts heads with button down Robinson until a quick ending and easy solution are found.

The performances of the stars are fine. At this point in their careers Sinatra and Robinson are essentially playing themselves. Although Sinatra is more up and coming to the declining Robinson. There are some good jokes and the simple story is fair enough as it is. Capra fills Sinatra's hotel with an odd collection of eccentrics that seem to have no other purpose but to fill up some time and tell a few jokes. The ending of the movie seems tied on and creates changes to some characters without any real provocation. The cheese factor is high even for a Capra film and it's not subdued by any superb performances. The drama is not elevated above the schlock you would see in a made for TV movie.

The stand out of the film is Sinatra and son singing the classic "High Hopes." Being a fan of Sinatra more as a singer than actor this amusing break in the middle of the picture helped keep my hopes up for a decent picture. Those hopes were not shattered, nor were they completely fulfilled. For beginners of "Capracorn" you should pick out some of his earlier, superior films. But for a lonely night in need of some corny sentiment, this is some fluffy candy that just might fill.

More reviews at www.midnitcafe.blogspot.com

Anyone knows an ant can't move a rubber tree plant!

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 5 September 2005]

Adaptation of Arnold Schulman's play about feckless Miami Beach widower with a young son who needs a fast loan to save his ramshackle hotel, considering the idea of marrying into money with a shy (but beautiful) young widow. Slick, but not very moving comedy-drama won an Oscar for the memorable tune "High Hopes", but--with Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, and Eleanor Parker in the cast--it should have been much better. The youngster is played by sharp, yet Hollywood-smart Eddie Hodges, who is decent with the kind of lines concocted for him. Frank Capra directed, weakly. Some good scenes, but it runs too long and has too few jokes. **1/2 from ****

This sure could have been a lot better.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 16 January 2010]

Before this movie even began, I marveled that any of the movie execs could have been crazy enough to cast Edward G. Robinson as Frank Sinatra's brother! They seemed as unlike as they could be. Perhaps with the big age difference between them Robinson (22 years) could have been cast as Sinatra's uncle or father...but his brother?! Plus, they looked nothing like brothers! Other than both being short, I can't see any reason for them to be cast together in the film other than they were available!

Frank plays a widower who has a young son. He owns a hotel that is just inches away from bankruptcy and he lives a carefree lifestyle--chasing women and being rather irresponsible. The only real good thing in his life is the boy--a nice kid who idolizes him. When the money finally runs out, he contacts his brother (Robinson) who will bail him out financially IF he marries and settles down with a "nice" lady. In fact, Robinson has picked out a widow (Eleanor Parker) for him. But, Sinatra can't bring himself to marry a woman he doesn't love--plus he's smitten with a crazy bohemian (Carolyn Jones). So, if he doesn't marry, he won't get the money--he'll lose his business and perhaps his son as well, as Robinson wants to take the boy away from this less than wholesome atmosphere.

Despite having the Oscar-winning song ("High Hopes") and some decent acting, it was hard to love this film. The reason is that despite trying to say that Sinatra loved his kid, he sure didn't act like it. He was just too selfish and too interested in having a good time--and it was darn hard to like the guy. His latest love interest (Jones) didn't like kids--and this didn't seem to bother him! What a cad! Instead, had they made him be a bit less selfish and more of a dreamer, it would have worked much better. As it was, he just seemed like a jerk who needed to grow up--fast. And unfortunately, the ending seemed very abrupt and impossible to believe--tying everything up too neatly and inexplicably. Too bad, as I really wanted to like the film.

Overall, a glossy time-passer but unfortunately not much more as the film is hopelessly flawed.

A great warm film

[gee-15 · 15 April 2002]

I had never seen this movie before renting it the other night and was surprised to see it was directed by Frank Capra. Once I watched it, I wasn't surprised anymore. This was a wonderful film driven by characters rather than plot devices and an example of vintage Capra.

The performances are what make the film. Frank Sinatra was great as a self-centered dreamer with a new idea every minute and some method of working the system. The guy's a heel but he still manages to keep our sympathy. Edward G. Robinson is hilarious as his much-put-upon brother who is constantly making social gaffes and never figures out how to sit in that rocking chair! Despite the fact that his character is a comic figure, there are some scenes of real poignancy between him and Sinatra. The ever reliable Thelma Ritter is also very funny as Robinson's caring and weepy wife. Eleanor Parker! Wow! I never saw her look so good. There wasn't enough of her in this film but perhaps that's when you know a character succeeds, when you wish to see more of them. Her gentle elegance was a perfect contrast to Carolyn Jones' character's unabashed self-absorption. And Eddie Hodges was perfect as the boy old beyond his years who stubbornly loves his father no matter what.

And the ending is happy (Hey, it's a Capra film!)without resorting to any schmaltzy plot devices.

It was well worth my time.

Good Meal, Bad Dessert!

[handyoaka · 6/10 · 17 June 2007]

This movie is a classic case of how a good storyline (about a loser who can not or will not overcome his personal flaws) is ruined by an "everything will work out if you let it" ending.

You get the feeling the producers did not feel the audience had the maturity to accept a less-than-pleasant finale'.

This is disappointing, but not unusual. During the time period, "feel good" family movies were the rule rather than the exception. It was very rare to see a family film that didn't have some sort of sugary-sweet happy ending. It was that mentality the nearly ruined the Disney industry.

You make sense of it!

Great Movie

[info-12561 · 7/10 · 5 April 2007]

this movie is clearly a forgotten classic film with a great cast. Primarily shot on location with some scenes obviously shot on sound stages in Los Angeles. Over all a great movie. Gloria Estefan's Cardozo Hotel was used at Sinatra's Garden of Eden. That hotel was also used in There's Something About Mary. The Fountainebleu also provided a great location shot in 2 scenes. I did notice in one beach scene that was to take place in Miami Beach, in the background was Catalina Island, which is in Los Angeles. There is also a tribute web-site for this movie that features original memorabilia like lobby cards, still shots, information about the Broadway play and other cool things.

sad and funny

[willrams · 7/10 · 12 May 2004]

I dug this film out of my vaults today and I believe this film is a loosely based bio on the real life of comedian Jack E. Leonard back in the 20s and 30s. Tony, played by Frank Sinatra, seems to be a very hard luck widower who always gambles his life away. He has a 12year-old boy who is a strong asset to him. But when Tony loses everything and tries to get his brother, Mario, played by Edward G. Robinson, to stake him and lets them bring up his son, it doesn't work out. His son loves him and doesn't want to live with anyone else but him. The highlights of this good comedy, directed by famous Frank Capra, is the song Sinatra sings "High Hopes" with his little boy. Good acting and fine performances by Sinatra. Eleanor Parker plays the love interest. But, who plays the son, Ally? I couldn't find his billing. 7/10

Dreadful waste of time and talent.

[BatonRougeMike · 4/10 · 5 June 2022]

There's a deep sadness involved in this film as it is absolutely a waste of everyone involved. Frank Capra is clearly at the shallow end of the pool here and his, excellent, cast can do nothing but flounder in it. Laughs are few and laboured and the whole, overlong, film runs out of steam about 30 minutes before it officially ends...by which time...it just doesn't matter who ends up with whom. One of those glossy, empty films of the late 50s where studio control has taken a hike and over the hill and irrelevant big name directors of the past struggle. This is a misfire, pure and simple and as artificial a product as anything turned out in this time period. Thelma Ritter, you tried so hard to breathe life into it. Carolyn Jones you were a magnetic and highly individual actress who simply just didn't get the respect or the roles you deserved. Sinatra, you try hard here, it has to be said. And you can be charming. But this material was beneath you.

"Cause He's Got High Hopes"

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 9 October 2006]

A Hole in the Head is based on a Broadway play that ran for 156 performances during the 1956 season by Arnold Schulman. So popular and enduring has it proved that a full musical version was done on Broadway in 1968-1969 that starred Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme in the parts done here by Frank Sinatra and Eleanor Parker. High Hopes didn't make it to Broadway, but the song I've Got To Be Me was introduced there by Steve Lawrence and made popular by fellow Rat Packer Sammy Davis, Jr.

In Frank Capra's autobiography he says that Schulman was not happy with the change of characters from Jews to Italians, but Capra brought him around to his point of view on this and other things. The ending in the film version is not as upbeat as in the original play.

Capra had heard a lot of stories about how disagreeable Sinatra could be to work with, but he says that Sinatra was nothing, but cooperative during the entire work. His biggest difficulty was the fact that Sinatra likes to do things in one take because he becomes bored with repeated efforts. Whereas Edward G. Robinson likes to go over things repeatedly until it was perfect. Capra did work out a compromise where Robinson did his rehearsing, but without Sinatra.

The story is about a widower who owns a ramshackle motel in a not popular area of Miami Beach and he's got money problems. Sinatra as the widower also has a son, Eddie Hodges and they are devoted to each other.

Edward G. Robinson and Thelma Ritter are his brother and sister-in-law who are visiting from New York and Sinatra is hoping for a touch from him. Robinson's bailed him out a few times and he puts a lot of conditions on future help. Like maybe a remarriage for instance and Ritter tries to hook him up with an old friend, Eleanor Parker. They actually hit it off. But there's still a whole lot of complications.

High Hopes which is sung by Sinatra and Eddie Hodges sold a few platters for Frank back in 1959 and won the Oscar for best movie song. Sinatra also sings All My Tomorrows over the opening credits and that song did not catch on at first. Later in the mid Sixties, Sinatra recorded it again this time for his own Reprise label, before it had been done for Capitol as had High Hopes and this time it became a minor hit for him. It's quite a poignant ballad.

Keenan Wynn has a small, but important part as a real estate kingpin promoter who came down with Sinatra to Miami Beach, but made a big success. Sinatra also tries to hit him up with not so good results. Funny thing is that his big idea was a Walt Disney like park for Florida and life imitated art there, though the park got located in the Orlando area.

Frank Sinatra is not as noble as some of Capra's populist heroes, but he's also down to earth and likable. It's one of his best screen performances in one of his best films.

Though I have to say with that red hair Eddie Hodges looked a whole lot more like Eleanor Parker's son than Frank's.

hate the ending

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 16 April 2023]

Tony Manetta (Frank Sinatra) hitchhiked to make it big in Florida with his two best friends, Jerry Marks and Mendy. Jerry became a rich promoter while Mendy ended up driving a cab. Tony is still trying to make it big with his girlfriend Shirl (Carolyn Jones) and his young son. He needs rent money. In desperation, he calls his estranged brother Mario Manetta (Edward G. Robinson) who insists on setting him up with Eloise Rogers (Eleanor Parker).

This is based on a play and directed by Frank Capra. It has the great "High Hopes" song which won an Oscar. It's also notable for being a colored Capra film. He would soon retire early from filmmaking. The cinematic world is changing in many ways and he's missing the train. As for this movie, the story is a darker one although Capra still leaves his mark. I have to say that Tony does not deserve either women. He is the worst when it comes to the fairer sex. I like the steady decline with Tony's journey. That's why I don't like the ending. I don't know how the play ends. I don't like this ending. If Capra is willing to do a sad ending, I can see him continuing to work and adding another chapter to his legacy. I like this movie except the ending.

Clumsy and messy script

[blott2319-1 · 3/10 · 5 February 2022]

A Hole in the Head is about an irresponsible father who shouldn't have the rights to raise his son. As the story goes on it is clear that director Frank Capra and writer Arnold Schulman want us to root for the protagonist to get the money he needs so he can hold onto his business and his son. Instead, I spent most of the film thinking it would be best for this kid to go live with his aunt and uncle who would provide a safer and more stable environment for him. The misadventures of the film didn't manage to make me laugh, and instead made me progressively more angry with Frank Sinatra's character. I've seen characters like this before in movies and TV, who live their lives bouncing from one get-rich-quick scheme to the next, but generally they are bad or tragic characters. I'm just not sure if Capra's style of film-making knows how to handle that kind of perpetual loser.

The biggest benefit of A Hole in the Head is the cast. Frank Sinatra is charming, and I wanted to get on his side even if the plot never got me there. Plus, they give him an opportunity to sing in the film, which is always a treat. I also love Edward G. Robinson and Thelma Ritter, because they have a good rapport as a married couple, and they had several humorous little moments between them. Their entire story was more engaging to me than anything we see between Sinatra and the women in his life. Speaking of those women, what a strange and oddly-presented pair of relationships. I did not know how to feel about either one. I don't even know if the filmmakers knew how they wanted the audience to feel. Are we supposed to be rooting for one of these women? One of them shows up at the end, does that mean she should be part of their lives? There's clearly something missing from A Hole in the Head, and I was craving more clarity or focus to make it all click for me. It's not a horrible film, but it's one that has some serious script issues.

An Underrated Gem

[jacksflicks · 9/10 · 2 January 2001]

This is film is a rare commodity as a Hollywood product - a wonderful "little" film. By little, I mean unpretentious. Perhaps this is because Frank Capra had a talent for telling inspirational, uplifting or "message" stories without seeming to preach. We all know the Ralph Cramden character - the botched hero with "high hopes". This is Frank Sinatra's Tony Maneta. Unlike Jimmy Stewart's George Bailey in Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," Tony Maneta isn't beset by problems circumstantial so much as personal. Yet, whether the antagonist is an ungrateful world or a character flaw, Capra and playwright/screenwriter Arnold Schulman recognize the abiding nobility of the human spirit's determination to overcome the odds.

I love the setting in "Hole in the Head". It's a treat to see South Miami Beach during a period when formerly glamorous hotels had gone to seed, knowing that they would one day rise again. I don't think anyone would have given them a chance at the time of the story, just like Tony Maneta's prospects. But "Hole in the Head" makes us want to believe, that just by surviving, like South Beach, Tony will one day triumph.

By the way, there's a wonderful performance by the underappreciated Eddie Hodges, whose minor billing is unjustified, considering his character's major part in the story.

Capra's Kiwi

[MattDevivre · 6/10 · 22 October 2007]

Capra's "A Hole in the Head" tells the story of "kiwi" Tony Manetta and his son. Tony has potential but as "kiwi" he is unable to fly - which means he can't live his dreams and fails. Of course there is another thing that is more important after all...

It's not just subjective to say that Frank Capra is one of the most important Hollywood directors of all time. He is one essential brick for château Hollywood. While watching his "A Hole in the Head" what came to my mind was that probably every excellent director career has at least one movie which somehow doesn't work out even though they try hard to be good - think about Coppola's "Cotton Club", Hitchcock's "Under Capricorn", Huston's "Casino Royal" and in my point of view "A Hole in the Head" is another addition to the long list. For my taste this picture itself is some sort of "kiwi". It holds several great moments but it's never becoming a great whole. I think the plot fails to live a duality of comedy and drama and the end is abrupt and sudden as if the director suddenly lost interest...

So on the whole "A Hole in the Head" indeed has some good moments and it's no weak movie. Only it never achieves the certain greatness Capra is capable of...

Not a memorable movie from Frank Capra

[jordondave-28085 · 4/10 · 1 August 2023]

(1959) A Hole in the Head COMEDY DRAMA

Tony Manetta (Frank Sinatra) is being evicted and needs $5,000 to keep his son as well as his room at the 'Garden of Eden' hotel. And although he already has a girlfriend who lives above him, his successful brother, Mario Manetta (Edwin G. Robinson) along with his wife, Sophie Manetta (Thelma Ritter) will not loan nor give him any money unless he agrees to settle down with a lonely widow, Eloise Rogers played by movie veteran Eleanor Parker, who we find out had just lost her husband and child two years prior to meeting him. Not a memorable movie from Frank Capra.

Perfect domestic comedy/drama

[ivan-22 · 19 August 2000]

I keep saying that Hollywood can't go wrong when it picks a PLAY as the basis for movies. This film is one more illustration of the correctness of this thesis. It's full of charm, humor, warmth, relevance and STRUCTURE. It doesn't seek to impress, just to please. And pleasing is no mean accomplishment.

The subject is taboo in most movies: economic dependence on relatives. In most movies money is no object, a purely tangential issue, when in fact it plays a huge role in real life. Sinatra plays a "loser", and to make him less despicable, he is adorned with a lovely young son. I find that a bit too manipulative, as if the writer weren't sure that a childless "loser" would be likable enough. Sinatra is very good in the role, but I would have picked an unknown actor, to make the role more believable. And, wonderful as Eddie Hodges always is, I think a childless "loser" would have been more poignant.

I liked the ending very much. It is happy, but not in the trite and trivial way. The main character does NOT overcome his limitations! This film is in the wonderful tradition of "Harvey", which also deals with an embarrassing family member. I can't recommend both films highly enough.

Sinatra slapping a kid!!

[elo-equipamentos · 6/10 · 25 April 2017]

Every single movie played by Sinatra has angry and a bitter taste, he never got to be the character he plays yourself all the time, slapping a kid who is (really?) love is awful, your music spoils the movie and he's a bad actor!!! The movie show itself when arguing with your brother and also his past friend Keenan Wynn, Capra was trapped by unbelievable plot, the kid was amazing who deserves a better father!!! Sinatra should played a gangster, a mob boss, this is your ground and style.

Capra desperately attempting screwball again.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 6/10 · 3 June 2011]

This is a late movie that seems to have been made in the vein of the screwball comedy genre, which was at its peak during the '30's and '40's. Now, screwball movies just never have been among my favorite ones, so this movie also really isn't.

Probably most amazing thing about this movie is that's directed by Frank Capra. His touch is however nowhere to be found in this movie, even though he had worked on lots of comedies and the screwball genre before, prior to this movie. I think the foremost problem is that the movie doesn't try to be just a comedy but also a serious and heavy drama. The two things aren't that well balanced out within this movie and because of this both elements fall sort of flat.

The story and characters also just aren't that appealing in my opinion. You don't ever really connect emotionally to any of the characters because they are doing some very stupid and also irresponsible things throughout the movie. This is especially a problem with the main character, played by Frank Sinatra.

No, even despite its really solid cast the characters just don't work out too well. Edward G. Robinson's and Thelma Ritter's talent all goes to waste in this movie and they are two of my favorite actors actually.

It's also a movie that is (too) heavy on its talking. This gives away that the movie is based on a stage-play. Seriously, they should had really cut some of the dialog and add in some more comical moments, to make this movie at least more entertaining to follow. The movie is OK for about its first 30 minutes but after that you soon start to get tired of all characters sitting around and talking to each other, expressing their emotions and feelings and you'll most likely start to loose interest in this movie after a while, just like I did.

It's not the most horrible movie you'll ever see but I can't think of any reason either why you should ever watch this movie in the first place. Perhaps just for Sinatra's musical moment, when he sings 'High Hopes', which also actually earned this movie an Oscar.

6/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Two Franks, Capra and Sinatra make a mildly amusing comedy

[Petey-10 · 7/10 · 27 July 2011]

This movie, originally a Broadway play, tells a story of a man, who runs an unsuccessful Miami Hotel.This man, Tony Manetta, is constantly broke, therefore he has a hard time taking care of his 12-year old son.But those two have an undying love for each other, and he doesn't want to let go of him.A Hole in the Head (1959) is directed by the legendary Frank Capra.It's written by Arnold Schulman.The lead, Tony Manetta, is played by Frank Sinatra.Edward G. Robinson is terrific as his brother Mario.Eleanor Parker is very good as Eloise Rogers.Carolyn Jones is wonderful as Shirl.Thelma Ritter is fantastic as Sophie Manetta.Keenan Wynn does a great job playing Jerry Marks, a character based on Walt Disney.Dub Taylor is great as Fred.The kid, Alvin "Ally" Manetta is played by Eddie Hodges, and he does the job very well.Frank Capra certainly came up with better than this in his career, but this still isn't a bad movie.I don't think Frank Capra was able to make a bad movie.There was something enjoyable in this movie, like the song High Hopes.So even at his worst, Capra was quite good.

It's a horrible life . . .

[oscaralbert · 5/10 · 10 March 2018]

. . . according to the doddering producer\director of A HOLE IN THE HEAD. As he forces viewers to stumble through a cornucopia of false endings for this story, each sappier than its predecessor, most watchers no doubt will hope that the "Buffalo Gals" will come out tonight to stomp some sense into Frank before he takes names higher than "Walt Disney" and "Marilyn Monroe" in vain. Though tons of flicks have ended in muddled jumbles, A HOLE IN THE HEAD really takes the cake (in the sense of the kid who slams the kitchen door with one rising in the oven, causing it to fall). While it may be impossible for a great musical composer to write a symphony with even one bad note, it boggles the mind seeing how a demented HUAC stool pigeon can string together at least 20 minutes at the end of A HOLE IN THE HEAD where EVERY note is wrong, and then convince a major movie studio to actually distribute the resulting cacophonic mess. If one of this film's major Franks is a kiwi, the other surely qualifies as being a dodo bird.

" If everyone is so happy, why is my brother hiding behind a tree? "

[thinker1691 · 9/10 · 29 July 2009]

Frank Capra has left his indelible mark on many memorable films and this is one of them. The movie is called " A Hole in the Head ' and is a complete triumph for young Frank Sinatra. He plays Tony Manetta a Florida hotel owner with big dreams. Unfortunately, those dreams require large investments of capital and this is one element Tony does not possess. However, he is blessed with several options which promise to alleviate the major element in his life. His one major assesses is his son Allie (sincerely played by Eddie Hodges) who loves him, believes in his father and his scheme. Then there is his brother Mario (Edward G. Robinson) an old fashion businessman who calls his brother a bum as he a girl-chasing widower and dreamer. Thelma Ritter plays Sophie his wife and loves Allie. Eleanor Parker plays Eloise Rogers a lonely widow who is chosen as a match for Tony and his son. Years ago Tony befriended an army buddy named Jerry Marks (Keenan Wynn) who has returned to Florida a rich and successful entrepreneur and seems to be just the kind of guy Tony is seeking. The story is touching with odd characters and with hit songs like " High Hopes " adds to the memorable film which is considered a Family Classic. Recommended. ****

Wonderful Sinatra performance; and you can't go wrong with Edward G. Robinson and Thelma Ritter

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 21 March 2017]

I had little or no respect for Frank Sinatra as a man. I did, however, have a great deal of respect for his recording career from 1954 - 1965, and occasionally after that; many of those recordings are, quit simply, the best recordings of those songs ever made. And, at least from time to time, I greatly respected Frank Sinatra's acting. And this is one example of that.

Sinatra could do on film what he could rarely do on television -- reach out and grab the audience, particularly when the role called for the character to be ingratiating...as this film does. Few could match his talent at doing that. We see it in a number of his films, particularly including "The Joker Is Wild". Sinatra was, quite simply, perfect for his role in this film. I can't imagine another actor doing it half as well.

It's interesting also that this is directed by Frank Capra. So, yes, Capra Corn...but really good corn! I'd go so far as to say that this was Capra's last great film, and perhaps his only great film of the 1950s.

Aside from Sinatra's excellence here, the performance of Edward G. Robinson as Sinatra's brother is terrific...funny as heck. And Robinson's wife is played by Thelma Ritter...again, just tremendous. Eleanor Parker was great as the eventual love interest. And wonderful little Eddie Hodges as the son...remarkable (go online and look for a pic of him as an older adult...quite a change!).

I wasn't as thrilled with the performance of Carolyn Jones as the the sort of hippie first love interest...and now that I think of it, I'm not sure I was ever very impressed with Jones. Keenan Wynn plays a not very sympathetic character, but he is good in the part. Dub Taylor as the desk clerk at the hotel was, I thought, just a little over the top.

If you want to see Sinatra at his best in film, this is ONE of the films I'd recommend. And, it's fun!

A hit song is the best thing about this movie

[SimonJack · 5/10 · 11 November 2018]

After the success of Grand Hotel in 1932, it was nearly three decades before a hotel was the center of a movie. Although the word, hotel, isn't in this film, "A Hole in the Head" broke the ice for setting stories in and around a hotel. Shortly after this film, Arthur Hailey wrote a novel, "Hotel." His 1965 book was a best seller and led to a movie by the same name in 1967. It starred Rod Taylor and a bevy of stars of the day and recent past. Other movies about or set in hotels would follow over the years and a five-season TV series by the same name ran from 1983-1988. It starred James Brolin.

"A Hole in the Head" is set in Miami, where Frank Sinatra's Tony Manetta is struggling to keep his small hotel afloat. Manetta has a 12-year-old son whom he is trying to raise in the hotel, while juggling other interests, including a less than-serious lifestyle. Other prominent performers on the cast give this film some lift. Most notable are Edward G. Robinson, Keenan Wynn and Thelma Ritter. But the plot and Tony's blasé lifestyle and persona don't give the story a level of interest that other hotel stories provide. They are based more on clients and how the hotel manager and staff solve their problems.

This movie did win one Oscar for best original song. Sinatra sings the debut performance of "High Hopes" that was written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. Besides winning the Oscar, the song went on to be a popular radio and jukebox tune. Several big name entertainers recorded it through the 1960s and later. "High Hopes" is clearly the best thing about this movie.

A Hole in the Head Makes A Hole in One! ****

[edwagreen · 10/10 · 9 October 2006]

Hilarious comedy where Florida hotel owner Frank Sinatra, a widower, with a precocious young son, (an adorable Eddie Hodges) can't seem to get a handle on life. A compulsive gambler, he is about to lose everything.

Edward G. Robinson steals the show as Sinatra's old brother, a clothing store owner in New York, who is forced to come to Florida to help his debt ridden brother out. Robinson's wife is played with genuine comedy ability by the wonderful Thelma Ritter. This was one of Robinson's few portrayals in comic pictures, and he succeeds beyond belief.

Carolyn Jones portrays the girl after Sinatra, a nasty woman who will do just about anything. Eleanor Parker is simply marvelous in a supporting role as Mrs. Rogers, a widow who is a friend of Ritter, and therefore a likely match for Sinatra.

The picture has everything going for it including the Oscar-winning song High Hopes sung by Sinatra and Hodges in a memorable scene.

There are laughs by the minute with Robinson also trying to get away from his adult son, Julius, the latter spending his days using a hula hoop. When Mrs. Rogers is introduced to Sinatra, Robinson says: "I understand that your husband died and left you a couple of bucks!"

A simply great family film affair memorably played by all. You'll feel good after seeing this one.

Frank Capra does it again with A Hole in the Head

[tavm · 7/10 · 7 August 2012]

Frank Sinatra is Tony, the owner of the declining Garden of Eden hotel in Miami. Eddie Hodges is his pre-teen son, Ally. Eddie G. Robinson is Tony's brother, Mario and Thelma Ritter is Mario's wife, Sophie. Carolyn Jones is Tony's free-spirited girlfriend, Shirl. And Elennor Parker is Mrs. Eloise Rogers. They are all in Frank Capra's version of Arnold Schulman's play "A Hole in the Head". Oh, and there's also a pivotal supporting player named Jerry Marks played by Keenan Wynn. All I'll say now is I liked the atmosphere of the Florida setting and the possibility of chance that permeates the whole thing. And Capra still had the sense of humor to put pertinent gags where they fit in the narrative. So on that note, I recommend A Hole in the Head. P.S. I've loved the Oscar-winning song "High Hopes" since I first heard Cindy Williams & Penny Marshall sing it in the first ep of "Laverne & Shirley" back in 1976!

sophisticated black comedy from the Fifties

[mazalhamidbar · 1 January 2006]

The 1950s had a number of strong films, and this is one of them. It's not what most people would call a black comedy, but I do. I agree with the previous poster who called this an under-rated gem.

First of all, I like Sinatra better as an actor than as a singer; he's also really strong in the original version of the Manchurian Candidate and in The Man With the Golden Arm.

This film reminds me a bit of the much more recent "Full Monty," with a middle-aged father who acts like a young adolescent who is essentially being parented by a pre-teen son who has had to grow up too fast. That's what I mean by black comedy; it's a situation that is so sad (and, alas, so common) that you have to laugh to keep from crying. (Another comparison, but not quite as apt, is to "A Thousand Clowns.") Sinatra's character is matched by that of his girlfriend, who says, without a trace of irony to the idea of having a baby, "I'm a baby myself."

It wasn't until I came here just now that I realized this was directed by Frank Capra; I should have been able to guess it.

Everyone mentions "High Hopes," and rightly so, as a terrific (and award-winning) song. But you gotta love any movie that has a tune about how "The monkeys have no tails in Zamboanga."