Frank Sinatra was an honest to goodness star during the Golden Age of Hollywood, but precious few productions actually challenged the crooner as an actor. Instead, films such as The Tender Trap and Take Me Out To The Ball Game typically portrayed him as an affable cad with a good heart deep down. While this was all well and good, films such as 1958’s Some Came Running showed what a powerful performer he could be when he challenged himself. The film from director Vincente Minnelli (Meet Me In St. Louis, The Reluctant Debutante) was born out of hope to replicate the success of the Academy Award-winning From Here To Eternity. Like that film, Some Came Running was adapted from a gargantuan novel of the same name from author James Jones which explored the darker side of small-town America and how it aligned with the mood of the country. The film is a real triumph of storytelling and direction that should be held in the highest esteem for how it is able to pull the essential elements out of the book and blend it into a riveting feature film.
Sinatra delivers one of his most complex roles as Dave Hirsh, a disillusioned Army veteran who has recently rolled into his hometown of Parkman, Indiana after being placed on a bus while intoxicated by some of his old buddies. Much to his surprise, he is accompanied by the sweet but simple Ginny Moorehead (Shirley MacLaine, Terms Of Endearment), a woman of questionable morals who was invited on the trip by Dave while he was intoxicated. The invitation may have been a mistake, but Ginny has already fallen in love with Dave despite barely knowing him. She does not have the best frame of reference for true love, but she does know that being with Dave feels a lot better than being with her violent boyfriend in Chicago which causes her to stay in Parkman even after Dave encourages her to return home. Dave has not been to his hometown or seen his family in sixteen years, and his return causes quite a stir around town. Parkman may seem miles away from the rough-and-tumble world of Chicago, but the drama of small town life soon proves geography is no obstacle to human nature.
Dave is seen as the whirlwind who rolls into town and shakes everyone out of their complacency. Before the war, he was a published author and his work has earned him the respect of the wealthy Professor French (Larry Gates, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof) and his daughter Gwen (Martha Hyer, Sabrina), a teacher of creative writing. Yet, Dave is often viewed in rougher terms due to his new friendship with the magnanimous gambler Bama (Dean Martin, Rio Bravo), a man who loves a good party and a fixation with never parting from his hat, as well as the trouble that follows him from Chicago. On a more personal level, Dave’s estranged brother, Frank (Arthur Kennedy, Lawrence of Arabia), and his wife, Agnes (Leora Dana, 3:10 To Yuma), are so deeply concerned about their social status that they may not realize that they have deeper, bubbling issues that were present before Dave came to town. While the story was made right in the thick of the Hays Code, the small town is replete with lies, infidelity and murder, all showing cracks in an idyllic America.
The film is a good deal over two hours, but the ways in which it layers its melodrama gives it the energy of a much shorter picture. Sinatra trades on his charm to navigate this somewhat tortured character, constantly being defined by others when he is decent just being left alone. The romance that develops with Gwen is the type made for the movies, but his dynamic with Ginny is the one that defines the film. Both of these romantic interests secured an Academy Award nomination for their performances, but the vulnerability that MacLaine brings to her performance is what breaks your heart. The full range of human complexity and social angst is included within this narrative. The story is a knockout, but it is the filmmaking on display from Vincente Minnelli that allows it to truly sing. The way in which he uses the full CinemaScope frame and the stunning Metrocolor hues is masterful in establishing tone and giving insight into the emotions of the characters without dialogue. By the time you reach the end of the iconic ending carnival scene, you will be catching your breath from holding it for so long. This feature is a fine example of blending technical filmmaking prowess with an insightful story and dazzling performances.
Video Quality
Warner Archive presents Some Came Running with a stunning new 1080p master transfer in 2.35:1 sourced from a 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative. Warner Archive always delivers a knockout presentation, and this one is no exception. The film features some sumptuous colors within the costumes and small town production design that pop off the screen with an immense vibrancy. The film is virtually pristine with no instances of damage or dirt detected here. The level of minute detail and clarity is stunning with a perfect amount of natural film grain intact. The black levels are impressively deep with a pleasing stability throughout. Compression artifacts, banding and other such issues do not pop up as an issue in this transfer. This presentation is another instance of Warner Archive showing why they are considered the best in the business.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that is likewise excellent. There is no discernible age related wear and tear to the track such as hissing or popping. No sounds ever overpower the dialogue that is being spoken here. Dialogue and background noises are represented perfectly along with the score from Elmer Bernstein. While mostly dialogue driven throughout, the more kinetic moments are handled with ease and give the track a bit of punch, such as some of the gunfire in the finale. There are also optional English (SDH) subtitles included for the feature film. Warner Archive has provided a disc that presents with a pleasing fidelity.
Special Features
- The Story Of Some Came Running: A 21-minute special in which film critics and historians discuss the groundbreaking nature of this film, the place it holds in the careers of the talent involved, the themes it tackles and more that enriches your appreciation for what this feature accomplishes.
- Theatrical Trailer: The four-minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
Some Came Running is one of the finest pictures in which Frank Sinatra had the pleasure of starring. His particular brand of star power is used to its fullest extent here alongside a deep ensemble who are matching him beat for beat. The filmmaking on display from Vincente Minnelli showcases how gifted he was even when he was away from technically complex musicals. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray featuring an outstanding A/V presentation and a pretty decent supplemental featurette. If you love old Hollywood melodramas, this one is top tier in every respect. Recommended
Some Came Running can be purchased directly through the Warner Archive Amazon Store or various other online retailers.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
