A Hatful Of Rain (1957)

Set in New York City, a Korean war veteran (Don Murray) is addicted to drugs. While his brother (Anthony Franciosa in an Oscar nominated performance) knows about his habit, his pregnant wife (Eva Marie Saint) does not. When their estranged father (Lloyd Nolan) comes for a visit, things come to a head. Based on the play by Michael V. Gazzo and directed by Fred Zinnemann (A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS). Though the film is minimally opened up for the screen, it still plays out like a filmed play. The narrative is divided between the drug addiction scenario and the strained marital situation. The "kitchen sink" domestic scenes between Murray and Saint are a real drag although the domestic scenes between Saint and Franciosa are well written and played out. While the movie might have seemed strong stuff in 1957 (though the edge had been taken off by Preminger's THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM two years earlier), its impact has weakened over the ensuing years. The acting is good though. There's a potent score by Bernard Herrmann. With Henry Silva, Gerald O'Loughlin and William Hickey.