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Poster for The Man with the Golden Arm

The Man with the Golden Arm

Seen it?

1955 | 119 min | Drama, Crime

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved Dancer in the Dark or Catch Me If You Can, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Dark and gritty.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 59 min.
What might put you off
Made in 1955: an older pace and style.

When illegal card dealer and recovering heroin addict Frankie Machine gets out of prison, he decides to straighten up. Armed with nothing but an old drum set, Frankie tries to get honest work as a drummer. But when his former employer and his old drug dealer re-enter his life, Frankie finds it hard to stay clean and eventually finds himself succumbing to his old habits.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    81% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 3 Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $4 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 88K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Otto Preminger

  • Frank SinatraFrankie Machine
  • Eleanor ParkerZosh Machine
  • Kim NovakMolly
  • Arnold StangSparrow
  • Darren McGavinLouie
  • Robert StraussSchwiefka
  • John ConteDrunky
  • Doro MerandeVi
  • George E. StoneSam Markette
  • George MathewsWilliams