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A Hole In The Head

1959, Movie, NR, 120 mins

A Hole In The Head: Review

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Not one of Capra's best efforts, this family opus has Sinatra as an irresponsible widower with a young son, Hodges. Instead of trying to improve his run-down little Miami Beach hotel, Sinatra flits about with bongo player Jones, trying to promote himself into big-time deals. His dream is to establish a giant amusement park in Florida. When he fails to make mortgage payments on his hotel, he is threatened with losing the place. In desperation, the 40-year-old improvident promoter calls his all-business brother, Robinson, a clothing manufacturer in New York. Sinatra lies to Robinson, saying he needs money because his son is sick, and this brings Robinson and wife Ritter quickly to Florida where they learn the truth. Sinatra's business is about to collapse because he is an inept dreamer, and, moreover, he has neglected his devoted son, which angers the practical Robinson. He tells Sinatra that if he settles down, takes over a respectable business in the Bronx, and marries Parker, an attractive but penniless widow (with tinted vermilion hair), Robinson will back him financially. Sinatra attacks Robinson for being square. He approaches Wynn, an old friend who has become a big-time promoter, and offers him plans for an amusement park. Wynn toys with him sadistically, then turns him down, saying that Sinatra's plans are fine "for Disney!" Sinatra collapses emotionally and gives up his son to Robinson. Hodges is tearfully taken away from the one man he adores, but Robinson can't bring himself to break them up and in the end returns Hodges to Sinatra's waiting arms, finances the hotel, and watches his brother wind up with Jones. The acting here is routine, except for Robinson and Ritter who stand out, he as a crusty and stern patriarch with a soft spot, she with a huge soft spot for Hodges. Too many tears flow from Hodges for him to be believable, and Jones waltzes through her role delivering forgettable lines in a monotone. Capra's gifts are seen only slightly since the material does not allow him to shine; his characters simply are not appealing or memorable. The play on which the movie is based is far superior to the film. The best thing about the film is the Oscar winning Best Song "High Hopes" (Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen). The pair also offered "All My Tomorrows." Filmed in Cypress Gardens, Florida, with main titles bannered on a passing Goodyear blimp. leave a comment
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