Some Came Running 1958

     This film is based on a novel by James Jones.  From Here to Eternity was also written by James Jones and made into a film by MGM in 1953.  The setting of this film is after WWII in Parkman, Indiana.  Dave Hirsch was a writer until he enlisted in the Army.  He returns to his Midwestern hometown 16 years later and along with him on the bus is Ginnie Moorehead.  She was in Chicago with Dave and she has fallen in love with him in a short time.  Dave gives her money to return on the bus to Chicago but she doesn’t leave.  Dave’s older brother Frank owns a local jewelry store and he’s a prominent citizen of the town.  Dave deposits the check he has with him in a different bank than the one owned by his brother just to spite him.  Frank introduces Dave to schoolteacher Gwen French.  She is the daughter of Dave’s former Professor Robert Haven French.  Dave falls in love with Gwen.  Dave meets professional gambler Bama Dillert and Chicago mobster Raymond Lanchak, Ginnie’s former boyfriend. 

     Parkman is a small town and the gossip mill works overtime after Dave arrives back home!!  Added into the gossip are Frank, his wife Agnes, his office employee, Ginnie, Bama and Raymond.  It’s easy to see that Dave would not be happy with his older brother since Dave was placed in a charity boarding school after Dave married Anges.  He had family but they didn’t want him?  This film is more about the characters than the story and this is weak.  3* (This movie is OK)

137 min, Drama directed by Vincente Minnelli with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine, Martha Hyer, Arthur Kennedy, Nancy Gates, Leora Dana, Betty Lou Keim, Larry Gates, Steve Peck, Connie Gilchrist, Ned Wever.

Note:  Imdb 7.5 out of 10, 82% critic 76% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, TCM Leonard Maltin 3* out of 4*, 3.44* out of 5* average user review.

Special Note:  Filmed in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana and Milton, and Trible County, Kentucky.  Shirley MacLaine received her first Academy Award for Best Actress in the role of Ginnie.  MacLaine credited her award to Sinatra because he insisted on changing the ending of the film.  Arthur Kennedy won Best Actor in a Supporting Role as Frank Hirsh.  Martha Hyer won Best Actress in a Supporting Role as Gwen.  Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn won Best Original Song for To Love and Be Loved.  Walter Plunkett won Best Costume Design.  Frank and his wife Agnes are social climbers.  Frank placed Dave in the charity boarding school rather than take Dave to live in his home with Agnes.  It was probably because Agnes didn't like Dave and didn't want to raise or put up with him?  This film was the 10th highest earning film of 1958.  The gross was $4,245,000 in the US and Canada with $2,050,000 elsewhere for a total of $6,295,000.  The high cost of production resulted in a loss of $207,000.