Review of Hole In The Head, A

Introduction

A little know film this is one of Sinatra`s many and was sandwiched between the melodrama of `Some Came Running` and the war film `Never So Few`

Frank Capra directs from his own screenplay adapted from the Broadway play by Arnold Schulman.

Tony Manetta is a loser with big dreams. A man with an acknowledged weakness for `Tootsies` he is nevertheless nursing a broken heart from the death of his wife He is the father of an 11 year old boy who is more mature than him. As the film starts Tony`s hotel is about to be repossessed and he and his boy will be out on the street As a last ditch effort to save the hotel he asks his brother to bail him out But Milo`s help comes with conditions Tony must meet a respectable widow and consider settling down His son Ally is all for it but Tony just want to get hold of the money.
Eleanor Parker plays the respectable love interest and Caroline Jones later to make a big impression in TV`s The Adams Family plays the `tootsie`.

Video

Once again we are looking at another quick budget released so expect very little. I`m getting very used to saying this. There are age marks on the film although it has been reproduced in letterbox widescreen.

Audio

Although the score is by Nelson Riddle, Sinatra`s arranger of choice this is a fairly undistinguished soundtrack apart from one little gem. As a child I heard this song a lot and now I know where it came from. "High Hopes" is that song about the ant and the rubber tree plant and is sung here by Sinatra and his young co-star Eddie Hodges. It`s great and almost worth the price of the film.

Features

Can you hear an echo in here?

Conclusion

This is an uneven film at best and doesn`t know where to place itself. It is not funny enough to be a good comedy because it suffers from repetition and dullness. It tries to make its point with a sledgehammer and becomes boring.
There is a lot of talent in this film that frankly is rarely put to good use.
With the huge output of DVDs now it would be a shame to buy this just because of Sinatra, or a song. As a Capra film it is again low down on the list made towards the end of his directing days. Like `Pocketful of Miracles` it seems out of step with the time and the market.

Give it a miss and pick up Sinatra in something with more style.