A Hole In The Head (1959)

Set in Miami, a dreamer (Frank Sinatra) spends money he doesn't have on good times and dames, while the shabby hotel he owns goes into foreclosure. He's also raising an 11 year old son (Eddie Hodges) who adores him. But when his brother (Edward G. Robinson) and his wife (Thelma Ritter) arrive in Miami and see the conditions the child is living under, they threaten to take the boy away. Based on the Broadway play by Arnold Schulman (who also did the script), this Frank Capra comedy contains the usual CapraCorn sentiment but some solid performances redeem the inherent saccharine. I'm not a fan of "classic" Capra and prefer his late work (like this and POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES) to his beloved treacle like IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE and MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. As I said, the performances are good especially Robinson. What a joy it is to watch the old pro elevate a standard script by the sheer power of his acting. Even "here comes another wisecrack" Ritter puts aside the quips and does it straight. Sinatra and Robinson have a beautifully played scene toward the end though inexplicably Capra shoots most of it from the back of Sinatra's head! With Eleanor Parker, Carolyn Jones, Keenan Wynn, Joi Lansing, Dub Taylor and Ruby Dandridge (Dorothy's mom).