MEET DANNY WILSON
US, 1951, 88 minutes, Black and white.
Frank Sinatra, Shelley Winters, Alex Nicol, Raymond Burr.
Directed by Joseph Pevney.
Meet Danny Wilson was one of two films released by Frank Sinatra in 1951 (the other being Double Dynamite with Groucho Marx and Jane Russell). It was in a period after his appearance in various MGM musicals and On the Town (1949) that his career was considered to have gone into a slump. However, he revived his singing career as well as winning an Oscar in 1953 for best supporting actor in From Here to Eternity. After that, he never looked back in terms of film and his singing career.
This film may have been biographical in 1951, whether writer Don McGuire? knew the story of Frank Sinatra’s rise to fame as well as his personality. However, in retrospect, it seems very biographical. In fact, Danny Wilson is a most unpleasant character in this film, selfish, boorish, demanding of others, disloyal to friends and assuming that the world revolved around him. It also shows gangster connections for his successful career.
That said, Sinatra sings a number of songs, Shelley Winters, bold and brassy and thin at this time, is the singer who is really in love with Sinatra’s friend and agent, played by Alex Nicol. Raymond Burr steals the show at times as the hoodlum gangster, a role that he played often before he moved into Ironside and Perry Mason.
The film was directed by Joseph Pevney, a Broadway director who moved into films in the late 40s, directed a number of small features at Paramount and Universal in the 50s and then moved to television.
1.The impact of the film now? In the retrospect of Frank Sinatra’s career? His life? How biographical? How much reflecting the real Frank Sinatra?
2.Small-budget, black and white photography, Universal Studios? The B-budget plot? The post-war period, the singer in hard times, his buddy from school and the war, his loyal support? Falling in love with the singer? Her protection by the hoodlum? The hoodlum taking the money, the final violent shootout?
3.Danny Wilson as a character, Frank Sinatra’s personality, reaction to comments on his size, short fuse? Singing in the various clubs, the reaction of the audiences? Meeting Joy, sharing the drinks with her? Nick Driscoll offering the opportunity? The unwritten contract, taking half the money? The successful appearance in the club, the songs, the audience? The covers of magazines, the record contracts, appearing in films, on stage? His infatuation with Joy, his demands on her? His reliance on Mike Ryan? The background of their friendship, Mike always supporting him, self-sacrifice? His discovering Joy and Mike together, his anger, dismissing them both? His drunken performance at the benefit? The confrontation with Nick Driscoll, the signing of the contract with Mike, the shooting, Mike being wounded? Danny and his decision to be an adult, going to confront Nick Driscoll, in the ballpark, the confrontation and the shootout? Going to hospital? His going to London, success, Mike and Joy together?
4.Joy, Shelley Winters’ style? Singer, under the protection of Nick, her performances? Helping Danny and Mike? Responding to Danny? In love with Mike? Accepting Mike’s advice, going out with Danny, coming to Los Angeles, appearing at the party, the engagement? With Mike, the discovery? Her strong words to Danny? The finale and the happy marriage?
5.Mike, friend, support, doing everything for Danny? The piano and the songs? The money issues? Management? His love for Joy, not revealing this? Her realising it, their talking together? Not wanting to hurt Danny, his inviting Joy to the party? The engagement? His standing in for Danny at the benefit, Danny humiliating him, his walking out, the contract? His being shot?
6.Nick Driscoll, the typical film noir, B-budget villain of the time? Shrewd, the contract with Danny and Mike? The pressure on Joy? His having to get out of town, accused of murder, his return, demanding the money, shooting Mike, the shootout at the ballpark?
7.Popular kind of entertainment – but more interesting for its insight into Frank Sinatra?
