Un trou dans la tête

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.

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.

Maybe it's me but I think this movie, Frank Capra's second-to-last, has aged really well. It seems very relevant today. Frank Sinatra is very convincing in the lead role as Tony Manetta, a ne'er-do-well struggling to keep his head above water, but the key character in the film is Edward G. Robinson's Mario, Tony's uptight, shopkeeping brother, who's come down to Miami to bail him out, but not without conditions. While Tony will always be Tony, it's Mario who will have to learn to appreciate him. There is great supporting work all around, by Thelma Ritter, Eleanor Parker, Eddie Hodges (unfairly buried in the credits), Carolyn Jones (remember The Munsters?), and my personal favorite, Keenan Wynn, as an old buddy of Tony's who knows him too well to be conned by him. Features the famous song "High Hopes", sung by Frank and Eddie.

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."

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. ****