A Hole in the Head

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Hole in the Head
Directed by	Frank Capra
Written by	Arnold Schulman
Starring	Frank Sinatra Edward G. Robinson Eleanor Parker Keenan Wynn Carolyn Jones Thelma Ritter Joi Lansing
Release date(s)	July 15, 1959
Country	United States
Language	English
IMDb profile

A Hole in the Head (1959)^[1] is a comedy film directed by Frank Capra and featuring Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, Eleanor Parker, Keenan Wynn, Carolyn Jones, Thelma Ritter, and Joi Lansing. The film introduced the song "High Hopes", a Sinatra standard used as a John F. Kennedy campaign song during the presidential election the following year.^[2] Wynn plays a character based on Walt Disney who agrees to go into a partnership with Sinatra's character to build an amusement park in Florida (the film predates Disneyworld)—until he notices that Sinatra seems too desperate as he cheers for a dog upon which he'd bet heavily. The movie ends with Tony, Eloise and Alley singing "High Hopes" on the beach.

The screenplay was adapted by playwright Arnold Schulman, whose father was the operator of a Miami, Florida hotel. The protagonist of A Hole in the Head is a Miami hotel operator.

[edit] Broadway play

The film was based on the Broadway play of the same name. It debuted at the Plymouth Theatre on Broadway on February 28, 1957 and featured actor Paul Douglas in the lead role. The play earned a Tony Award for Boris Aronson in 1958 for Best Scenic Design. on July 13, 1957 the show closed for a total of 156 performances.^[3][4]

[edit] Cast

Frank Sinatra as Tony Manetta
Edward G. Robinson as Mario Manetta
Eleanor Parker as Eloise Rogers
Carolyn Jones as Shirl
Thelma Ritter as Sophie Manetta
Keenan Wynn as Jerry Marks
Joi Lansing as Dorine
Joyce Nizzari as Alice
Eddie Hodges as Alvin "Alley" Manetta

[edit] References

v • d • e Films Directed by Frank Capra 1920s The Strong Man • For the Love of Mike • Long Pants • The Power of the Press • Say It with Sables • So This Is Love? • Submarine • The Way of the Strong • That Certain Thing • The Matinee Idol • Flight • The Donovan Affair • The Younger Generation 1930s Rain or Shine • Ladies of Leisure • Dirigible • The Miracle Woman • Platinum Blonde • Forbidden • American Madness • The Bitter Tea of General Yen • Lady for a Day • It Happened One Night • Broadway Bill • Mr. Deeds Goes to Town • Lost Horizon • You Can't Take It with You • Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1940s Meet John Doe • Arsenic and Old Lace • It's a Wonderful Life • State of the Union 1950s-1960s Riding High • Here Comes the Groom • A Hole in the Head • Pocketful of Miracles