This is a rather engrossing movie despite some stilted dialogue and humdrum performances. Frank Sinatra plays Dave Hirsh, a writer down on his luck, who returns to his hometown after a stint in the army. Like all writers depicted in the 1950's, he drinks a lot and is fatalistic to the degree that he marries a known tramp (brilliantly played by Shirley MacLaine) when the woman he really loves (Martha Hyer) spurns him because he isn't solid husband material.
The best I can say about Sinatra's performance is that he's adequate. It would have been far more exciting to see how Marlon Brando would have pulled off this role. Dean Martin as Hirsh's buddy, Bama, a small time gambler, is entertaining as usual, but it's Shirley who brings the film to life and makes it worth watching.
She plays Ginnie Moorehead, a truly luckless girl, who is nonetheless, the kindest, most sympathetic character in the whole movie. It's clear she's known nothing, but tough breaks since the day she was born, but her determination to show everyone "a good time" makes her valiant.
The best I can say about Sinatra's performance is that he's adequate. It would have been far more exciting to see how Marlon Brando would have pulled off this role. Dean Martin as Hirsh's buddy, Bama, a small time gambler, is entertaining as usual, but it's Shirley who brings the film to life and makes it worth watching.
She plays Ginnie Moorehead, a truly luckless girl, who is nonetheless, the kindest, most sympathetic character in the whole movie. It's clear she's known nothing, but tough breaks since the day she was born, but her determination to show everyone "a good time" makes her valiant.