Hole in the Head DVD

A Hole in the Head
Although the main character, Tony Manetta (Frank Sinatra), in this light comedy tends to tip the scales towards being unbelievably unrealistic, the story is pulled off because everyone else is convincing. Tony is a widower in need of a financial bailout for himself and his son, so he asks for help from his brother Mario (Edward G. Robinson), a wealthy New Yorker. Tony owns a small hotel in Miami Beach but his impractical ways have made it a losing proposition. After Mario and his wife (Thelma Ritter) arrive in Miami, thinking of taking custody of Tony's son, they suddenly decide to try to match Tony up with the widowed Mrs. Rogers -- maybe that will teach him some responsibility. This was one of the last movies directed by Frank Capra. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Cast Frank Sinatra as Tony Manetta Edward G. Robinson as Mario Manetta Eleanor Parker as Mrs. Rogers Carolyn Jones as Shirl Thelma Ritter as Sophie Manetta Keenan Wynn as Jerry Marks Eddie Hodges as Ally Manetta Joi Lansing as Dorine George de Witt as Mendy Jimmy Komack as Julius Manetta Dub Taylor as Fred Connie Sawyer as Miss Wexler Benny Rubin as Mr. Diamond Ruby Dandridge as Sally B.S. Pully as Hood Joyce Nizzari as Alice Pupi Campo as Master of Ceremonies

Crew Eddie Imazu - Art Director Edith Head - Costume Designer Arthur S. Black, Jr. - First Assistant Director Jack R. Berne - First Assistant Director Frank Capra - Director William W. Hornbeck - Editor Nelson Riddle - Composer (Music Score) Jimmy Van Heusen - Composer (Music Score) Sammy Cahn - Songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen - Songwriter Bernard Ponedel - Makeup William H. Daniels - Cinematographer Frank Sinatra - Producer Frank Capra - Producer Fred MacLean - Set Designer Fred Lau - Sound/Sound Designer Arnold Schulman - Screenwriter Arnold Schulman - Play Author

A Hole in the Head
A Hole in the Head has many of the elements that one associates with Frank Capra -- a belief in the innate goodness of people, a fondness for strong willed dreamers, a concern with the manner in which making a living keeps people from living a living -- but it lacks the spark associated with the master's better efforts. In Hole, it's almost as if Capra didn't really believe in the screenplay, which is understandable -- it treats these subjects in a very plastic, artificial manner. Even in his classic, Capra is manipulative, but one always feels the manipulation is in the service of a very good cause. Here, the material doesn't bring forth that commitment, so Capra's work seems halfhearted -- and that affects the rest of the film. It doesn't help that Frank Sinatra, cast in the lead role, comes across as somewhat self-conscious; he's playing at the role rather than living it. This is made all the clearer when he's contrasted with Edward G. Robinson, who turns in a beautifully realized performance as a crusty hard nose who's got a big soft spot. Thelma Ritter is also in fine form, and Eleanor Parker does fine with an indifferently written role. Hole isn't a difficult film to sit through (and those hungry for family-friendly films will certainly welcome it), but it's a bit of a disappointment. The film does feature one sequence that many will adore -- and some will find excruciating -- namely, the performance of the Oscar-winning "High Hopes." ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
 

Frank Capra: Directors Guild of America, Best Director (nominated) Jimmy Van Heusen: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Song (winner) Sammy Cahn: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Song (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French, Spanish Subtitle Options: French, Spanish Sound Processing: 1: PCM mono Additional Features: Original theatrical trailer English: mono French: mono Spanish: mono French & Spanish language subtitles DVD Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1: Cinemascope MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 120 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 0. Scene Selections 1. Main Title/Adam & Eve [6:42] 2. Dreaming Of Dollars [7:08] 3. "Hard Luck Story" [10:38] 4. Come Fly With Me! [8:11] 5. "Garden Of Eden" [5:05] 6. Bummed Out [9:14] 7. High Hopes [6:40] 8. "Who's The Woman?" [2:08] 9. It's Marilyn Monroe! [5:37] 10. A Jilted Lover [10:01] 11. Lonely Lamb Chops [4:37] 12. Cake & Candles [9:42] 13. Fat Cat Promoter [10:01] 14. On The Fast Track [5:13] 15. Champ or Chump? [7:40] 16. Broke But Happy [4:00]